Hatem Ben Arfa starts tonight in Moscow, and it’s his first appearance for Newcastle since he played ion early December at Fulham.
As expected Danny Simpson and Massadio Haidara are the two full backs and James Perch is also in the starting line-up tonight – and it seems he’s at center-back with Yanga-Mbia which is a big surprise, and Steven Taylor is on the bench.
Vernon Anita is in defensive midfield, and Gabby Obertan gets a rare start in the Newcastle side.
With both Shola Ameobi and Adam Campbell on the bench it seems that Hatem Ben Arfa could be the lone striker tonight, which is a little bit of a surprise.
It’s an interesting starting eleven
Teams:
Anzhi Makhachkala – Vladimir Gabulov; Andrey Eschenko, Joao Carlos, Ewerton, Yuri Zhirkov; Jucilei da Silva, Lassana Diarra; Odil Ahmedov, Willian, Oleg Shatov; Samuel Eto’o (c)
Substitutes: Evgeniy Pomazan, Rasim Tagirbekov, Arseny Logashov, Ali Gadzhibekov, Carcela-Gonzalez, Fedor Smolov, Lacina Traore
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Rob Elliot; Danny Simpson, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, James Perch, Massadio Haidara; Yohan Cabaye (c), Vurnon Anita; Sylvain Marveaux, Moussa Sissoko, Gabriel Obertan; Hatem Ben Arfa
Substitutes: Jak Alnwick, Davide Santon, Steven Taylor, Gael Bigirimana, Cheick Tiote, Adam Campbell, Shola Ameobi
Referee: Istvan Vad (Hungary)
309 comments so far
TimKrulFan
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Comment #281Sissoko that was awful disappointed with him.
NUFC_LEAZES END
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Comment #282And perch and Elliot
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Comment #283Well, not an entertaining match, but a good result.
First team to deny Anzhi a win in Moscow? Fair play and job done.
To SJP we go!
Joe Blog
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Comment #284F**k me that was boring.
Ta-rah!
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Comment #285Geordieracer
For me he’s done his usual mate stood off to much, played ok but still can’t seem to look up to see if a pass is on
Didn’t say he’d played badly just thought he’d up his game seeing as he’s used to being a first team regular
TheToonKing
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Comment #286Ok. I can live with this 0-0. We can beat them at St James.
MacToon
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Comment #287Could have been worse, shame we didn’t get an away goal though, stifled game. MYM, Perch and Haidara pick of the bunch for me.
toonicle
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Comment #288Could have gone worse, we got a draw away.
nufcursed
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Comment #289even more boring game than our previous european games!
i think our tactics are to bore a team into losing
we actually might win the europa league!
great tactics by pardew
geordieracer1980
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Comment #290I would say those posters criticising the ‘flair’ players, I think that’s a little harsh. Tonight wasn’t a night for the Ben Arfas, Marveauxs, Eto’s et all. Tonight was about the James Perchs’, Mbwia and Danny Simpsons. Defend well, keep a clean sheet, then get the hell out of there.
Markaccus
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Comment #291There you go. First team to stop anzhi from winning a euro game at home. Stfu negative-heads. We’ll beat them at home, I’m sure.
niafron
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:53 PM
Comment #292All right…
Well, 0-0 is probably the most balanced result for a first leg. We didn’t lose, but neither did we score away.
~ Phoenix Warrior Perch~
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:53 PM
Comment #293Perch Contender for man of the match. Several important challenges and a couple good blocks. Thought he was well solid today.
Shame we were playing with 10 men only. Obertan should never wear the kit again. Must have a record for most balls given away.
Draw is a decent result.
saxonfenken
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:53 PM
Comment #294Unbelievable Tekkers
Was Marveaux and Benny any better
Oleg G
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:53 PM
Comment #295Good solid game in defense.
Perch MOTM. M’biwa and Haidara also played very well.
Also Simmo played good. This what happens when you have competition for your spot.
Sissoko was a bit lost today.
Cabaye also played well.
And Hatem with the miss. But happy to see him back.
carl
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:53 PM
Comment #296Pardew out hiddinked Hiddink. MOTM. M’Bwia.
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:54 PM
Comment #297NUFC_LEAZES
Was very impressed with young haidara tonight
Marty-Toon
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:54 PM
Comment #298Obertan worked hard to rectify his own mistakes!!
Unessessary mistakes so what’s the point in having him on there?
geordieracer1980
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:54 PM
Comment #299TADS
Fair do’s mate. I think he had a really good game and did exactly what you want a full back to do in a tricky away fixture in Europe. Cracking result, bring on the second leg. Think I might get myself a ticket to that one! Hopefully it’s a full house and we make life as difficult as possible for them. If Simpson plays like that in the second leg, I would agree with you, mate! Need a bit more if we want to go through.
mot7
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:55 PM
Comment #300obertans passing is disgusting for a pro footballer
Marv is lazy
Shola is a waste of a shirt as he offers nothing at all .
Elliot well done son good game
The rest done there jobs with little fuss boring game but job well done
saxonfenken
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:56 PM
Comment #301That under the circumstances was an excellent result, Our defenders were brilliant, Can I give MOTM to the back four
lukes26
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:56 PM
Comment #302MOM is Anzhi’s RB, whoever the hell he is.
Newcastle’s MOM is probably Mbiwa…Sissoko had a good game too.
Horrible game to watch, but result suits Newcastle just fine. Very even match.
Newcastle were much much much better with Shola up front
Dennis Twice
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:57 PM
Comment #303Obertan played well.
mot7
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:59 PM
Comment #304Obertan was a joke
FloridaToon
Mar 7, 2013 at 6:59 PM
Comment #305Anzhi looked tired at half. Our defense was well organized. We didn’t sit back and took our shots going forward. Not the most exciting game, but in Anzhi play like this at SJP we will win.
DokToon
Mar 7, 2013 at 7:01 PM
Comment #306thats a good result…
carl
Mar 7, 2013 at 7:03 PM
Comment #307Florida
It’s how we play @ SJP. We have the initiative!
YankeeToon
Mar 7, 2013 at 7:03 PM
Comment #308Back 4 is the man of the match for me. Benny played out of position have no problem with his decision to chip because he’s spot on most the time.
Gabs and Marv were sickening…which is what made some of are other players look not involved offensively into the match i.e. Sissoko and Cabaye.
Away goals count for two…hope it doesn’t bite us in the end!!!
jockonthetoon
Mar 7, 2013 at 7:13 PM
Comment #309Obertan – HUH – good god y’all what is he good for ……….