Newcastle have won six of their last eight league games, and we have 19 points from the last 24 points up for grabs, and today the Magpies strolled to an easy 3-0 win against Crystal Palace.
Ben Arfa – after scoring form penalty spot today to make it 3-0
And after the game a very happy Alan Pardew thought his players were terrific, and certainly we played very well in poor conditions at Selhurst Park, as the rain continually poured down.
This is what Alan Pardew told BBC Sport immediately after the game:
“Not many teams are going to come here and win 3-0.” “I’m delighted with the players – they were terrific.” “The key was to control possession and make sure ball didn’t come into our box. It’s not always easy on this pitch and in these conditions.”
“Yohan Cabaye made a difference. His contribution was important – he gave us the X-Factor. Hatem Ben Arfa gave us that. Fab Coloccini and Mathieu Debuchy were immense as was Cheick Tiote.”
“I don’t put Cabaye above the others. Five wins away says we have good spirit. It’s difficult to break us down and we score goals in open play. We could do a little better on set-plays.”
We thought this would be a tough game for the lads, but it wasn’t, and Newcastle gave a very professional display and got all 3 points, and they deserved the win to get us off to a good start to the Christmas batch of games.
We are on 30 points from 17 games and that’s 3 points better than we were two years ago after 17 games, when we had just lost 3-2 at home to West Brom, but we still finished that season in 5th place.
And another clean sheet today also has to be pleasing to manager Pardew.
Next up are Stoke at home on Boxing Day, and they beat Aston Villa 2-1 at home today, but they are not good on the road, and have only one win and two draws from their eight away games so far this season.
Newcastle are flying high right now, and that was our 6th win in the last eight, and now the only thing that matters is that we make that 7 wins in nine on Thursday afternoon.
Comments welcome.
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8 comments so far
ToonDarnSarf
Dec 21, 2013 at 6:45 PM
Comment #129ToonDarnSarf // Dec 21, 2013 at 6:44 PM
Let’s not carried away to the point that 8th place is a poor finish. Many of you predicted a bottom half finish this season so 8th place would be a good season.
I still think we could do with another striker to ensure we stay in the top 8. Someone like Shola but who also poses a goal threat please.
Would be great to challenge the European spots but I think City, Arsenal and Chelsea have much better squads. Spurs do on paper too but they need them to gel, Liverpool have a comparable squad but Suarez makes them significantly better. Man Utd have RvP and Rooney who are both top class, but apart from them I think we’re stronger. Still, they could seriously strengthen in Jan. I think we’re a similar overall strength to Everton and we’re both having good seasons.
So 8th and best of the rest would be decent, but I’d like us to finish above at least one of those teams please.
Ciaran
Dec 21, 2013 at 6:47 PM
Comment #2Cracking result, controlled the ball in difficult conditions, good to see HBA coming on and looking good. Needs to be consistent at that before he can be a starter.
Dislike people who can only come on to the blog when they think it is ‘positive enough’ to make their points. If you’re going to make points, you should stand behind them when the blog is positive or negative.
I suppose it is nearly January so the Bullsh…I mean, ITKs will make their presence known.
Great 3 points, let’s see what January brings.
toonarmydownsouth
Dec 21, 2013 at 6:48 PM
Comment #3toonarmydownsouth // Dec 21, 2013 at 6:36 PM
Rotonda
That it was mate, there were some great attacking moves today,
Debuchy has to be hands down one of if not the best RB in the league, the speed the lad gets up and down the pitch is amazing!
Sissoko was a monster again
Cabaye was simply superb, his passing was top notch and in all honest could of walked off the pitch with at least 4 goals!
Goofy grafted his @rse off again, great player!
Tiote and Anita bullied and bossed the middle of the park with some great quick passing
Willo, absolutely solid, the amount of work his does off the ball is brilliant!
Colo, fair play to him he had a great game today
Remy, not as lively as I expected him to be, looks a bit jaded, but did not realise how fast that boy was!
HBA came on with a point to prove and about bloody time! He looked great, still yet to be convinced he should be starting think he makes a great impact sub but a few more showings like that he’ll be back in the squad
Shola came on looked good, looked sharp and it was a brilliant turn to get away from the first defender and draw the penalty from parr, only surprise was he didn’t take it!
The only downside’s today for me were Krul and Santon, I’ve been a huge defender of Santon but he was poor today, perhaps he just needs a rest but a couple from haidara will push him on
Krul had some very nervy moments in what was a pretty easy afternoon, although I do think the weather played a part in that
toonarmydownsouth
Dec 21, 2013 at 6:51 PM
Comment #4Interviews with Pardew Cabaye and Anita
http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/287447/report
Ketsbaia9
Dec 21, 2013 at 6:53 PM
Comment #5The following players could be good coups:
Sow
Ba
Gomis
Gourcuff
Alderweireld
Toonfan8
Dec 21, 2013 at 6:59 PM
Comment #6Now we look very strong, we have good position, only FA Cup and EPL, others have european football…the good thing is that we wont sell anybody and can bring one or two very good players…we look very good with triple Anita,Cabaye,Tiote in the middle…CB looks very good too and we have MYM on the bench pushing, Haidara pushing for LB, HBA pushing for place as well, Shola look solid…I think this season nothing is impossilble
JAMSHA
Dec 21, 2013 at 7:22 PM
Comment #7Alderweireld is with ath madrid
Brutooon
Dec 21, 2013 at 10:37 PM
Comment #8Improvement this season compare to last season
1) we play short simple passing which benefit everyone!
2) we keep the ball more, therefore difficult for opponents to beat us!
3) we get rid of championship players – Perch, Simpson
4) we get rid of player who got ZERO output – Jonas, Obertan etc