Newcastle have been receiving the accolades for their famous victory at Old Trafford, well at least in the local press, with the National press making a big thing out of it, and suggesting David Moyes’ job may be in jeopardy.
Vurnon Anita – accidentally handling the ball to keep it out
Surely the Manchester United club and fans didn’t expect the next manager after Sir Alex Ferguson to simply pick up where Alex left off, and keep winning all the time?
Well maybe they did, but the Red Devils are in a transition period at the moment, and they will need to be patient and give Moyes some time, and it could be they don’t qualify for the Champions League this season.
Vurnon Anita came in on Saturday in a five man midfield that allowed Newcastle to control the game pretty much, except for the first 15 minutes of the second half, before we scored.
This is what Vurnon has said in the local press:
“Yes, I heard we hadn’t won for 41 years here.” “It’s a big win for us. It was also a good result after the defeat on Wednesday to Swansea City.”
“We kept the ball very well. We were tight on our men, and we deserved our goal.” “It’s a nice victory, and a historic victory.”
“It was a big game,” “As a young child, you always want to play in the big games.” “This was a big game for me, the team and the whole club.”
“I enjoyed it, and I think that showed on the pitch.”
Anita was also involved in a penalty appeal in the second half just before we scored, and he was on the post for a corner, and a header came in that hit the post and then hit the lower part of his arm, and the ball went to safety.
Vurnon clearly handled the ball, but it was accidental, and a penalty wasn’t given – and that was the correct decision by referee Andre Marriner.
But it’s one play where we got the rub of the green on Saturday, and that didn’t happen much at Swansea on Wednesday night.
What do you think?
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78 comments so far
toonincheek
Dec 9, 2013 at 9:40 AM
Comment #1Anita’s ‘handball’ was ball to arm.
He had his arms behind his body, doing everything he could to not use his hands/arms. The ball richochetted off the post, a few inches from his arm.
Ball to hand – NOT a penalty.
Contrast that when a player goes in to block a shot with his arms out (as in the game against Swansea) – that is NOT ball to arm/hand as it is trying to gain an advantage.
That IS a penalty.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 9, 2013 at 9:49 AM
Comment #2never a penalty came off the post onto his arm which was at his/behind his arm from less than a metre away.
But that’s all you are hearing in the press this morning. ‘we should of had a penalty’ – bollocks
Ian Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 9:52 AM
Comment #3We are getting some good press. Like – World Cup fever at Old Trafford as Newcastle United turned up dressed like Brazil and Manchester wore their normal kit, but did all they could to offer a passable impression of England.
Another one :
Oh ok
Apparently it costs around £70,000 to get a lower league trundler to guarantee he will get himself booked. Surely it would be a good deal cheaper just to put your dosh on Lee Cattermole.
NB: chiek didn’t get booked on Saturday.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 9, 2013 at 9:55 AM
Comment #4Team – tactics for game against Southy who will be a totally different proposition. Team that keeps the ball and passes, I might go with the five across midfield again with HBA taking the place of Cabaye.
Krul
Debuchy/Mbiwa Williamson, Colocinni, Santon
Sissoko, Tiote, Anita, HBA, Goufron
Remy
Himanshu Dhingra
Dec 9, 2013 at 9:57 AM
Comment #5If manchester City lose 27-0 and NUFC win 1-0 they could over take City
Himanshu Dhingra
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:02 AM
Comment #6https://twitter.com/HD_07/status/409986222115663872/photo/1/large
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:03 AM
Comment #7Maybe Manure thought we were Arsenal in disguise
Ian Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:04 AM
Comment #8They play 4-3-3 mostly. Taking the Arsenal/ saints game the gunners went at them and we should do the same. The Collocini, Osvaldo contest could be worth watching. Yanga should start to combat the interchanging Lallana, Osvaldo And Rodriguez.
I am still enjoying the after glow from Saturday’s game.
jayphoto
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:06 AM
Comment #9Cheiks been pretty good with the bookings this season so far! Debuchy has been worse! Both been in excellent form too! Tiote has been rivitalised somehow (tbh id written him off after last season) and debuchy has really settled into english football now (i never rated him in france so gotta own up, i thought hed flop) We all wrote shola and willo off lets be honest, with this new found backwardsland the northeast has become where shola and willo are tops , mike ashleys thin and joe kinnear has a job, what are the chances of jonas coming back the player he was 5 years ago?
70TWO
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:06 AM
Comment #10Pardew should keep the same formation as it needs time to really settle and develop. 4231 formation looked the best balance between attack and defense and I think Sissoko should be brought into the middle to replace Cabaye.
That either allows HBA / Sammy / Guiterrez to play on the left wing with Gouffran on the right, or bring Remy out to the wing and Cisse up front?
toonarmydownsouth
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:09 AM
Comment #11“It’s the top teams we have done well against this year.” “Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool and now Man United.”
“This team were asked to play a very different way and they answered that.”
“We can change our tactics and win. We can feel confident to do that. And that makes us dangerous.” “We had to eradicate the performance at Swansea.”
“I must take some blame for that. I must make sure I use all of my squad. I have good players in the background.” “I have to be confident to put them in.”
“Swansea gave us a kick up the bottom in terms of how to keep possession.” “And how to have control.” “We let control go in the week.” “We made it clear we went there to Old Trafford to play and to try to win.”
“We never even contemplated a draw.” “There was a real feeling in that dressing room we could win.”
Absolute full full credit to pardew, this is a fantastic interview
After the Swansea game tbh i wasn’t overly disappointed, I was disappointed in the manner of the defeat, but not the result, I think any number of us would of started near enough the same team
I said after the game for me the result wasn’t important but for me the guide for if pardew had improved and learnt lessons would be the reaction to the defeat
And what a reaction it was!
Massive credit to pardew from me for his reaction, for his tactics, for his selection and for admitting fault for Swansea
And huge credit to the players, last season after a result like Swansea we saw too many times that the players imo went hiding, they couldn’t pick up there heads and face there critics, this season they have stood and faced those critics and answered them on the pitch, great stuff!!!
Also want to give big credit to HBA and to Pardew’s handling of him
He looked great when he came on and seems to of relised that no player is garuanteed a starting spot, and looked much better for it, hopefully we are seeing the full benefit of a fearless approach in squad selection and having a much improved fitness regime
And a quick rant, MOTD you should be f**king ashamed of yourselves! Finally found some decent extended highlights, what MOTD threw together seems more to create pressure and media interest in “will they or won’t they” sack moyes
Guess what, no one outside Manchester and China gives a sh*t and want to see fair highlights of there team!
jayphoto
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Comment #12I would start Willo saturday! On his performances hes undroppable! It would send out the wrong message to the players! I’d go 4-3-3 with the usual back 4 (id drop colo myself but pardew won’t) midfield of sissoko, anita and tiote and Remy gouff and shola up top! Depending on how the game is going Id probably revert to 4-5-1 in the second half with HBA and cisse coming on for Shola and Gouff
Our Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Comment #13Morning all
How refreshing to see Pards change it up and finally admit he got it wrong against Swansea, Willo and Colo were solid as a pair, the 3 lads in CM won us the game though they were fantastic, especially Tiote. We monopolised possession which was even more rewarding, by far our best performance this season, Remy showed that he can play up top by himself without us punting it long, pass and move in midfield was really good to watch and 5 in midfield is definitely the best way to go, Shola can give us another option to change it if needs be from the bench. Surprised he went attacking though by bringing Benny on, we’ve all said he should go more attacking with subs etc
Anita handball or not, bottom line it wasn’t given but it was going in though!! I thought the one against Swansea wasn’t and neither was the one on Saturday
mindshaft
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:13 AM
Comment #14Good draw in the FA cup as well, Cardiff won’t be putting out a full strength team as I imagine they will be more concerned about staying in the prem rather than going for FA cup glory – guess it depends on team Pards puts out
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:14 AM
Comment #15toonarmydoodsooth
here is my rant against the press to go with yours against the Beeb
Was there another team playing Manure at Old Trtafford on Saturday. Just having my morning cuppa – one of many – and reading the match reports if you want to call them that
Biggest load of toss – Eighth paragraph before the opposition get a mention and it is Newcastle not Newcastle UNITED. 14th para before we get a mention again only for we were lucky as ‘United’ should of had a penalty – my ar*e ball came off post and struck anita’s hand which was behind him.
Go to Independent pathetic match report, just 3 pages of the troubles at ‘united’ and again and Newcastle UNITED called Newcastle.
and they wonder why they are Hated.
GAN ON THE TOON – NEWCASTLE UNITED
mindshaft
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:14 AM
Comment #16Why are people going on about the handball that never was – I don’t think there’s been one pundit who thought it was a pen
Munster Mag
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Comment #17Good morning to all my fellow NUFC fans, like Ian, still glowing. Pardew has dome a great job, and so have the fitness people. Of course Remy is vital to us, such a different team with his threat there. Have to agree re MOTD. Disgraceful coverage.
Rainrix
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:16 AM
Comment #18Tads…. Well the MOTD studios are in salford, its probably in the contracts that their highlights, talking points and everything else has to be about Man U 😉
mindshaft
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:16 AM
Comment #19To be fair Mancs demise was always going to make the headlines rather than Toons win – they are going to have to spend heavily in Jan and by all accounts are looking at Cabaye
Munster Mag
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:16 AM
Comment #20Our Toon, wasnt oit you who made the stupid comment about Pardew before the game on saturday? If so, time to own up.
Ian Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:17 AM
Comment #21Team selection- yes to HBA in for Cabaye. Southampton lost at home to Villa playing a 4-2-3-1 with Lambert up front. Pochettino( losing 3 on the trot as I recall) is very much a horses for courses type of manager and tactically very astute. We need a Pardew inspired afternoon as at OT.
toonarmydownsouth
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:18 AM
Comment #22Charlie
They may as well billed it as “Manchester United vs Generic Scottish Team 1”
70TWO
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:18 AM
Comment #23toonarmydownsouth
I was expecting a changed team against Swansea and the Spurs/Chelsea beaters against ManU, so I was very disappointed not to see the 3 man midfield, as they say. It was plain to see Anita should have come on when Shola was subbed. Agree with you and very pleased with i) the result & ii) the interview, to see Pardew put the arrogance to one side and be honest is a good thing.
Our Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:20 AM
Comment #24We don’t need recognition from outside the North East to justify how well we have performed. I personally think the less they talk about us the better, we get to slip under the radar which ultimately leads to less pressure for the players!!
What comment Munster?
Ian Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:21 AM
Comment #25Who cares- we don’t get docked points because we don’t receive the BBC seal of approval.
Lilongwe Geordie
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:25 AM
Comment #26Munster/Our Toon,
I think the ridiculous comment before the game was by Toon Brother, not Our Toon. I’m sure someone reposted it in a thread late yesterday.
Ian Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:27 AM
Comment #27Munster- hope your feeling as good as I am. Sgt Heagerty’s post earlier got me on here as he put everything clearly into perspective.
Good to see you with your happy face on.
Enjoy.
Our Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:28 AM
Comment #2870two
We both asked for the 3 man midfield glad pards resorted to it as it paid off. Still wouldn’t start Shola for weekend game
Muster no idea what comment you are referring to but I made 1 comment on Saturday and that was after the game, so I would suspect NO is the answer
bills-son
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:32 AM
Comment #29This season was always likely to be a strange one in the Prem.
New managers at Chelsea, City and ManU and virtually a new team at Spurs. Its no real surprise to me that the most stable of the big four, Arsenal, are top and that Liverpool and ourselves are also doing well.
With the Jan signings settled in we have one of the most settled and stable squads and management set ups in the Prem. I give credit to Ashley for not sacking Pardew at the end of last season. The guy deserved another chance and he’s proved he was worth it.
Ian Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:34 AM
Comment #30Munster- maybe the Boy Scouts advocating a march will disappear into the ether. This blog is never any better than when football related.
Which is precisely why Ed made the wise decision not to advertise it because he recognised the potential of unintentended consequences.
The toon army to the fore- HWTL.
Our Toon
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:36 AM
Comment #31Lilongwe
Thanks for clearing that up was a bit bemused to say the least maybe Munster can apologise to me (only joking). The result was fantastic but I think the performance of all was an absolute joy to watch, I haven’t seen us use the ball so well in a game for some time. Been saying for weeks that ball retention is so important, we should carry on with this style of play. Glad pards has seen the light and showed a new side to himself by admitting he got it wrong on Wednesday
Jail for Ashley
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:36 AM
Comment #32Has somebody been making stupid comments on here, never in the world !
AndyNUFC
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:38 AM
Comment #33We deserved the luck of not getting a penalty given for Anita after Wednesday’s.
Both were as clear as day penalties.
Whoever has justified it with this “ball to hand” rubbish has heard it off the wrong person. Ball to hand still equals handball.
The bottom line, deciding factor of whether a ball striking a hand is a foul = if the team who’s player has touched the ball has gained an advantage, it is a foul. Anita can’t help having his arm by his side, but the clear advantage we’ve gained is blocking a shot off the line (regardless of it bouncing off via the post) and denying a goal by using an arm / hand.
If it was a Man U player then nobody would have justified it.
Cathy in Norway
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:40 AM
Comment #34We should have won 3-0! Our manager is tactically inept!
PARDEW OUT!!!!
masterp1983
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:43 AM
Comment #35Hi Guys, Im looking to get tickets to the crystal palace match in the capital. Do you know how i go about getting away day tickets? Is it through nufc’s site or crystal palaces??? Struggling here
Munster Mag
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:48 AM
Comment #36Our Toon , apologies, it must have been Toon Brother. In fairness, I asked a question of you rather than an accusation but sorry I got it wrong. The silly bollocks made some really nasty comment about Pardew so I reposted it after we won. I was very critical of Pardew last year having been a fan of his once he settles in – even his first media interview was good, to be fair. But both him and the players have learned from last season. Tiote is a different player now – he looked like a pub player at times last year – eg v Liverpool. Great stuff. Well done Pardew and Co.
Munster Mag
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:51 AM
Comment #37Ian, sometime I think you think I am perenially depressed. Far from it mate! Excellent post by Sarge earlier.
Lilongwe Geordie
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:55 AM
Comment #38Masterp,
You will have to go through Newcastle for the away end, but will need to be a club member and have enough points to your name, depending on what level the club have set the fixture at.
Would be far easier for you to gt Palace tickets in the home end I reckon.
70TWO
Dec 9, 2013 at 10:56 AM
Comment #39Our Toon
Glad to see Anita incorporated again. Definitely not start with Shola and keep 3 man midfield to counter Southamptons pressure tactic. Sissoko in the middle?
Munster Mag
Dec 9, 2013 at 11:00 AM
Comment #40I think Sissoko in the middle would be useful and hopefully a position he will grow into….his running power could cause much damage there, although his tackling would probably need to improve. So impressed with Tiote this season. To think that we could easily have been relegated last season. Thank you Swansea for beating Wigan! And thank you QPR for being so crap. That Harry Redknapp is a lovely man though isnt he ? 🙂