Newcastle created a good number of chances in this game against a Crystal Palace side who would have been more than happy in getting a point at St. James’ Park this afternoon, but it was some class from a certain number 10 – Ben Arfa – in injury time that got Newcastle all three three points.
Papiss Cisse congratulated by John Carver after sensational winner
Ben Arfa got the ball with 93 minutes gone on the clock, and moved in from the right wing and then flighted a beautiful ball to Papiss Cisse in the penalty box, and the Senegal striker headed the ball with conviction into the back of the net, and the 51,500 crowd went simply crazy – and it will be a good night tonight in the Bigg Market. 😀
Newcastle labored in this game, and Luuk de Jong looked ineffective and doesn’t seem to have the physical presence up front for the Premier League – but it was Papiss Cisse who had the chances in this game, just like he had them last week at Fulham.
In the previous 11 league games Newcastle had failed to score in eight of them, and in the six Premier League games Loic Remy has been missing, we had never scored a goal – before today that is.
And while we cannot get too carried away with the Newcastle performance today, in truth it was pedestrian at times, Newcastle were still the better side and had the chances to win this game.
Crystal Palace carried out their game plan well at Sunderland last week, and came away with what they wanted – a 0-0 boring draw, and they almost did it again today at Newcastle, but it was a touch of class from Ben Arfa that saved Newcastle today.
Newcastle had two chances after 12 minutes, when Papiss Cisse got a good shot on goal but goalkeeper Speroni parried the ball up in the air and de Jong came in and headed the ball weakly over the bar – that was a good chance and Luuk has to do better than that.
And then after 24 minutes Crystal Palace had a good chance as Jerome was through the center – but he hesitated and his shot was brilliantly blocked by Paul Dummett, who threw his body in the way of the ball to block the shot.
Moussa Sissoko was making some of those powerful runs down the right wing, and he pulled the ball back to Cisse, whose shot was well saved by Speroni, who flew to his right to make yet another save.
That was good play by Cisse, but again the goalkeeper made the save.
On 36 minutes Newcastle had a decent claim for a penalty from a corner, when big Mike Williamson headed the ball down and the ball hit a defender’s arm, but referee Lee Probert waved play on. 🙁
Half time came and it was a pedestrian game, but both sides had chances to score and they showed why they have difficult scoring goals this year.
Crystal Palace had a good initial spell at the beginning of the second half and after 54 minutes Tim Krul was forced into a good save from Kagisho Dikgacoi, and it was Tim’s first save of the game.
After 56 minutes Palace almost scored, as Bolasie put in a great shot that hit the top of the cross-bar and went for a goal kick – that was a let-off for Newcastle.
After 59 minutes Ben Arfa came on for the ineffective Luuk de Jong who did nothing in this game to increase his chances of getting a permanent deal at Newcastle.
And then on 64 minutes Papiss Cisse was clean through after a fantastic defense splitting pass from Moussa Sissoko, but his shot was blocked by Speroni who saved Crystal Palace this afternoon with some very good saves.
And after 70 minutes it was simply brilliant play by Ben Arfa on the right wing, and the Frenchman beat three Palace defenders, and finished with a right footed cross from the byline that was headed narrowly over the bar by Papiss Cisse – that would have been a great goal.
Newcastle were now pressing forward all the time, cheered on by an almost capacity crowd.
And then two minutes into added time Cheick Tiote put in a fantastic shot that came off the cross-bar, and Yanga-Mbiwa coolly brought he ball under control on the right hand side, and played it into the six yard box to Papiss Cisse who just couldn’t put the ball into the back of the net – that was a big miss.
But then Ben Arfa showed his class (again) and with time running out he got the ball and moved in from he right wing, and then drifted a beautiful cross into the box that Papiss Cisse did well to head the ball with great conviction into the back of the net, and it was all 3 points for the Magpies.
That’s three wins in the last four league games – 9 points from four games – but Newcastle made this very difficult – but the goal will give the lads and Papiss Cisse in particular great confidence for the home game against Everton on Tuesday night.
There was a good crowd today – only about 700 short of a full house – 51,588.
Howay the Lads!!
Teams:
Newcastle (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Paul Dummett; Moussa Sissoko (Sylvain Marveaux 88), Cheick Tiote, Vurnon Anita, Yoan Gouffran (Shola Ameobi 76); Luuk de Jong (Hatem Ben Arfa 59), Papiss Cisse
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Massadio Haidara, Steven Taylor, Dan Gosling
Crystal Palace (4-5-1): Julian Speroni; Adrian Mariappa, Scott Dann, Damien Delaney, Joel Ward; Yannick Bolasie (Barry Bannan 68), Kagisho Dikgacoi, Mile Jedinak (c), Joe Ledley, Jason Puncheon (Adlene Guedioura 80); Cameron Jerome (Glenn Murray 76)
Subs not used: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Gabbidon, Stuart O’Keefe, Thomas Ince
Referee: Lee Probert
51 comments so far
manxpie
Mar 22, 2014 at 5:51 PM
Comment #1manxpie // Mar 22, 2014 at 5:48 PM
tads that 2nd “chance” was actually a brilliant shot on goal tbf imo the speed it came at him and his movement to get it on target was the old cisse lol
i think catchy must be looking up some more stats 🙂
OhSholaAmeobi
Mar 22, 2014 at 5:53 PM
Comment #2Repost:
Remember, Cisse’s been on the bench most games .
11/12 – 13 goals in 14 games (1106mins) = goal every 85 mins.
12/13 – 13 goals in 47 games (3775) = goal per 290 mins.
13/14 – 4 goals in 21 games (1295) = goal per 323 mins.
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/papiss-demba-cisse/leistungsdaten/spieler_33952_2013.html
cyprus
Mar 22, 2014 at 5:55 PM
Comment #3Am thrilled for Cisse and HBA, both. Cisse has been unlucky. He has been getting into the right positions, but it just wasn’t happening for him. Swap LDJ for HBA next game. Give HBA FULL games in the remaining fixtures. And Cisse too 🙂
toon1707
Mar 22, 2014 at 5:56 PM
Comment #4Needed that was so frustrating watching the game palace parked the bus and to be fair looked decent at times on the counter and when we did get close our crossing or last pass was terrible or there keeper was in the way he played a blinder today the relief when cisse scored was fantastic crowd went crazy
Graeme
Mar 22, 2014 at 5:57 PM
Comment #5Manxpie – it was a cracking effort, a proper strikers effort that the keeper got in the way of – I dont think he had a clue where it was going lol.
manxpie
Mar 22, 2014 at 5:57 PM
Comment #6tads yeah lack of confidence is a serious problem for him
at least we didn’t spend 50 mil on torres tho 🙂
but i’m taking a positive from his performance today he got himself in them positions and if he keeps on getting in them positions he’ll get better
here’s hoping anyways
wolfshead@toon
Mar 22, 2014 at 5:58 PM
Comment #7manx
you know the old quote there’s lies damn lies and then there’s catchys stats 😉
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:00 PM
Comment #8Cyprus
Next game is Tuesday, he hasn’t trained much, don’t think he’s near fit enough for 90 mins yet
manxpie
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:00 PM
Comment #9plus i may add it was 100% better game than last week which was the most boring game i’ve ever seen lol!
manxpie
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:02 PM
Comment #10wolf well he seems to have gone since i pointed out how stupid his cabeye n arfa stats were and after calling me a tool, strange that like lol
that quote should be at the top of every thread wolf
yo-yo
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:03 PM
Comment #11wolfhsead
am flattered 🙂
Big Pappa Cissé
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:04 PM
Comment #12Where are the HBA haters now then ? .
He is the only player that actually looks like he wants to score or create something but gets slaughtered when he tries to much .
De Jong was awful today as well . If he can’t score against Fulham or Palace then he is in serious trouble . Would rather have Gomis .
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:04 PM
Comment #13Jesper
Certainly wasn’t a great game tbh, we were under very little pressure had plenty of possession but didn’t do much with it
Started to control it completely about the 60th minute, could of won by 3 or 4 but at the same time we could of lost by the same amount, HBA came on took imo a little time to get into it and looked like he’s perhaps still struggling for fitness so don’t expect him to start vs Everton, grew into the game though
But on the whole the display was……disjointed? No real urgency or sharpness in the play, more kick and rush, lots of sloppy passing
Anita had a decent game mind
3 points but if we play like that against Everton we’ll get slaughtered
cyprus
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:05 PM
Comment #14Good point TADS. Don’t want him knackered again, but you know what I mean. MOM is Cisse, because of the effort throughout. He was overcome by emotion at the end, he won us the game.
toonking
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:05 PM
Comment #15manxpie
if your catchy then winning a penalty is classed as an assist.
jazzyp
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:06 PM
Comment #16Just got back in lads and happily seen we have at least won……….How did we play and did Ldj have no luck on goal again ??
manxpie
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:06 PM
Comment #17the funny thing is my stream froze at the point tiote was just about to take a shot
and i said ffs don’t shoot and missed every thing else until the celebrations
and then seen he actually cracked the bar lol
great effort for once!
Big Pappa Cissé
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:07 PM
Comment #18Also Gouffran is wasted on the wing . Might as well play with 10 men or stick a defender out there .
Toon Tang
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:09 PM
Comment #19jazzy
Started to control it completely about the 60th minute, could of won by 3 or 4 but at the same time we could of lost by the same amount, HBA came on took imo a little time to get into it and looked like he’s perhaps still struggling for fitness so don’t expect him to start vs Everton, grew into the game though
But on the whole the display was……disjointed? No real urgency or sharpness in the play, more kick and rush, lots of sloppy passing
Anita had a decent game mind
Toon Tang
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:10 PM
Comment #20sorry mate, it was calling out to be plagiarised
manxpie
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:10 PM
Comment #21toonking don’t ever, EVER call me catchy!!!
seriously tho he tells everyone else there sheep for looking at a table but he defines every decision he makes on pointless stats lol
OhSholaAmeobi
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:11 PM
Comment #22why so few sissoko votes for motm? the lad was our best player for the 3rd game running.
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:12 PM
Comment #23ToonTang
Don’t worry i earn royalties off Ed 😉
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:13 PM
Comment #24OhShola
Thought Sissoko grew into the game, thought he was wasteful first half but when HBA came in and he shifted left thought he got a lot better
toonking
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:14 PM
Comment #25i’m happy myself to still see HBA remain on the bench and come on at half time for the rest of the season.
The trouble we have if he were to start is he must do what he has not yet did once and that is be consistant with crosses, passes and stop playing like a messi. he came on today and did do some crosses but if he were to start then we have no bench changer except maybe sammy but even he is too young.
so what do we do if HBA was the greedy type on that day he starts?
beermonkey
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:15 PM
Comment #26pleased cisse scored he got in all the right places and could have had 2 looked like it wasn’t gonna be his day
lets hope he goes on a little run now
manxpie
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:16 PM
Comment #27looks like man u have got there luck back ffs!
Blackley and Brownlie
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:18 PM
Comment #28I backed cisse before k.o. to silence his doubters. Even before his goal he was motm. He deserved that goal not least because he never stopped trying.
toonking
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:19 PM
Comment #29manxpie
if you thinking i called you catchy i wasn’t.
it’s why they say the english language is the hardest of all.
the “If you were” is an english way people say imagion
ie
“If you were a deer you would run away from the wolf”
toonking
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:20 PM
Comment #30he is an idiot thats for sure
Blackley and Brownlie
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:25 PM
Comment #31Ohsholaameobi
Sissoko was poor today.
jazzyp
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:28 PM
Comment #32Toontang
Cheers mate-Any opinion on Ldj
manxpie
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:29 PM
Comment #33toonking don’t worry mate i was only messing lol
i’m english speaking just thought it was just too good a “joke” to turn down obviously not lol
Toon Tang
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:31 PM
Comment #34jazzy, send payment to wor tads @ 13 hahaaa
Blackley and Brownlie
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:32 PM
Comment #35Our trouble today was that dummett and mbiwa didn’t offer an attacking option. Also, tiote and anita mirrored each other with neither willing to get forward regularly, preferring to drop deep and pick up the ball off our defenders. When one goes the other should sit, but one of them has to be prepared to go. We have such a defensive, risk averse mentality that we even get 11 players back to defend corners.
Big Pappa Cissé
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:34 PM
Comment #36I still think Gouffran is wasted on the wing, Haidara should be LB and Sissoko should be moved into the middle of the park .
How about we try:
————–Sissoko————–Anita—————-
—HBA—————Marveaux———–Sammy—
————————-Gouffran————————
BarnoldswickMag
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:34 PM
Comment #37Jazzyp
I thought that LDJ was fairly bad today, didnt make much of an impact and made an out of form cisse look good. He really needs to start scoring because atm im not convinced he is worth the 8.5 m asking price.
toonarmydownsouth
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:35 PM
Comment #38jazzy
Tbh LDJ was pretty ineffectual today, didn’t really link up with Cisse and seemed that Pulis had identify him as a threat they doubled up on him and marked him out the game
Big Pappa Cissé
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:35 PM
Comment #39————–Sissoko————–Tiote—————-
—HBA—————Marveaux———–Sammy—
————————-Gouffran————————
Tiote instead of Anita rather .
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 22, 2014 at 6:35 PM
Comment #40Just got in from the moon – sorry St James’s Park like the moon today no atmosphere
My man of the match Cisse – missed chances keeper saved chances – but got into the positions to have a chance. kept on plugging away and in the end stuck one away.
Looked liked he was in tears after he scored.
Also ran the channels all day but time and time again we didn’t pick his runs out.
Ania, Williamson, Tiote and Goufron played well and HBA played well in his cameo role. Du Jong looked liked a little kid lost.
All in all a poor game but three points in the end-Phewwww