There were some excellent performances from this Newcastle side all over the park in second half and in a game we just had to win we did – and it was a great Andros Townsend thunderbolt from a free kick with his left foot after 59 minutes.
After 70 minutes Karl Darlow made a sensational save from a Yohan Cabaye penalty – as he guessed right and moves smartly to his left to pull off a great save.
Karl Darlow after making tremendous save
Newcastle fans took to Twitter to express their at the great win – two more wins against Aston Villa and Tottenham could see us safe this season.
Very impressed with Townsend and Anita. Darlow great. Sissoko applied himself well. Thought Tiote was good, after a shaky start. #nufc
— mårten (@KieronVxu) April 30, 2016
@Lascelles16 was a class act again today ???? #nufc #futurelegend
— Tommy beveridge (@tommy_beveridge) April 30, 2016
Colback just gave a midfield masterclass. Wow. #nufc
— Adam Matues (@AdamMatues) April 30, 2016
Well done Rafa and #NUFC keep it going
— Julien (@King_Julien1984) April 30, 2016
Great three points for #nufc! @Lascelles16 @KarlDarlow @andros_townsend all different class ! Keep believing ! #inrafawetrust
— Ben Gardner (@bengardner21) April 30, 2016
Newcastle have taken 8 pts from last 4 games, +4 GD. Draws vs City & Liverpool. Good run now #PremierLeague #Newcastle #Nufc
— Nufc Portal (@NufcPortal) April 30, 2016
Karl Darlow’s penalty save could be worth a 100 million ? #NUFC
— Simon HeatmaN (@SyTooN_NUFC) April 30, 2016
77 comments so far
Blackley and Brownlie
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:28 PM
Comment #41Top men today in order: Townsend, Lascelles, Darlow, Colback …
NoahJ
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:29 PM
Comment #42it’s interesting that sunderland and norwich’s game in hand is in the final week of the league. It means they have to sit in the relegation zone for a week (the psychology could be huge).
GeordieTwo
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:29 PM
Comment #43I notice the people who used to come on here complaining about Townsend have suddenly disappeared.
Readingmag
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:30 PM
Comment #44Right, ..first of all a fab free kick….But Towmsend run down blocked roads….please re- watch..so frustrating..
The back four are so much batter..
Why not start Mitro ..but I get it….In RAFA..But he’s brill..
We might do this yet… Great great win…AND great buys from Forest …..Those lads were my MOM
GeordieTwo
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:30 PM
Comment #45I thought Townsed would be huge for us. But then again I thought Doumbia was going to play a huge part as well 😆
Blackley and Brownlie
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:31 PM
Comment #46The fans need to stop being so edgy in the first half of games. It transmits to the players.
GeordieTwo
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:32 PM
Comment #47Palace had two men on Townsend for most of the match Readingmag. It was clear they had been told to close him down quickly. It nearly did us in. That’s what he’s going to face in the final two matches for us. Overall he’s been brilliant for us and outrun everybody else on the pitch.
Bambams
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:35 PM
Comment #48The one other person other than Townsend who has stood out for me is Lascelles.
The kid is so young but has matured with the pressure in my opinion.
He has grown into the role and along with Mbemba I believe have created a much better defence.
Tiote and Colback have done well in front.
Cisse took his chance at Liverpool but for all I loved him he has been bloody useless at playing the lone striker (imo)
Townsend has never stopped but I wish he would alternate from cutting in all the time ( becoming predictable )
Wini in my eyes didn’t do a lot today and I though Sissoko was hit and miss
Main man…Rafa !
Thank you for giving us some fight
NoahJ
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:36 PM
Comment #49Have to disagree with a few of the tweets regarding players that played well (eg tiote)…
other than darlow (excellent even without the penalty save) and townsend, I thought everyone was average at best (apart from wonderful lascelles tackle)
I thought our midfield was once again completely bullied by bolasie, wickham. Tiote has good moments but his pace is non-existent, and he gets little support from sissoko. wijnaldum was poor again today, as was cisse!
I really want more controlling central midfielders- de jong or saivet. and, mitro needs to replace cisse (for goodness sake)
Munster Mag
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:37 PM
Comment #50Yes, the Townsend haters must feel a bit stupid now. Bobby will be on to kill me in a while for doubting us, but Makems still favs to stay up i would have thought? Jeez that Arsenal game was hard work. Those Gooners fans are the saddest buch of ungrateful twats ever. Can u imagine NUFC doing that ? We cant even protest in the state we are in 🙂
GeordieTwo
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:37 PM
Comment #51Lascelles has already become a leader Bambams mate. Something Colo never was. Colo’s done with us along with many others if we survive this because Rafa would never put up with that kind of bollocks. At least 8 out in the summer if Rafa stays.
GeordieTwo
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:38 PM
Comment #52Spot on Munster. I hope they get Wenger sacked and finish about 10th next season.
Blackley and Brownlie
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:38 PM
Comment #53Noahj
Leave it to Rafa, mate.
Blackley and Brownlie
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:41 PM
Comment #54Sunderland and Norwich will get at least one win in the remaining three games. That means we need nothing less than a win at Villa.
Munster Mag
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:41 PM
Comment #55Listened on Irish radio. Ex Irish boss Brian Kerr thought our centre halves were excellent but i think the general feedback is that we arent very creative, given some of the players we have? Was it a very defensive Rafa performance again? Obvioulsy the result is all that counts, but out of interest. Looking forward to Sky / MOTD tonite.
Munster Mag
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:41 PM
Comment #56Geordie Two , good thinking!
Mag52
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:42 PM
Comment #57Shame on you Piers Morgan and those Arsenal fans for showing complete disrespect for one of the great managers in the game.
Just remember that old Chinese proverb (familiar to a few of us here),’Be careful what you wish for Gooner san’.
GeordieTwo
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:42 PM
Comment #58It will be a pleasure to watch Rafa re-create the team in the summer. He’s such a breath of fresh air. The stench won’t be gone until Charnley, Carr and anybody else Rafa wants sacked is gone.
GeordieTwo
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:44 PM
Comment #59Very clever Mag52. They’ll live to regret it if Wenger leaves. Look at the dross we’ve had over the last few seasons and what it’s done to us.
Blackley and Brownlie
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:44 PM
Comment #60Gini was anonymous throughout.
Munster Mag
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:44 PM
Comment #61It seems Pardew was pretty magnanimous after the game. Fair play to him, and well done to him for slagging off Fat Sam.
Blackley and Brownlie
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:49 PM
Comment #62Munster
Our problem is the same as it’s been all season. No in form goalscorer. We’re relying on midfielders and even defenders to get goals and they’re not at all adept at it. Colback had a great chance in the first half and instead of hitting it hard into the corner, he went for a curler which was well wide.
GeordieTwo
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:50 PM
Comment #63He’s a sad ghost of a player now B&B mate. Probably my biggest disappointment of the season. That and the pathetic creature Doumbia has turned out to be and the amazing fade of Shelvey.
The Newcastle Armchair
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:50 PM
Comment #64I really don’t know how some of you can criticise arsenal fans for wanting change.
Isn’t it the exact same in the way we were appreciative of pardew for finishing 5th, but again we wanted a change?
Please, think before you speak
NoahJ
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:52 PM
Comment #65Blackley,
I trust Benitez, but you can’t deny we have a real problem with making it difficult for ourselves; we haven’t had a good first half under benitez since the leicester game.
he’s clearly made a difference, and I’m so happy to have him, but that doesn’t automatically mean his decisions are justified: playing cisse over mitrovic (the latter being our most passionate player for the cause) is to me a waste of a player- he adds nothing to the team (and was gifted his goal last week by mignolet); he would also still be playing stephen taylor over lascelles if he wasn’t injured
Oleg G
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:55 PM
Comment #66Lets wait after we are safe, before we start talking about next season with Rafa.
And also don’t expect nothing more than top 10 with Benitez next season if we stay up.
We won’t change the whole 11 anyway so.
GeordieTwo
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:55 PM
Comment #67Hmmm ok I’m thinking a bit. Wenger has had them near the top his entire stay, won numerous silverware, still has them in the top 4 with the chance of finishing second. Yes he’s just terrible when compared to one fifth place finish and some of the worst dross I’ve ever seen.
Munster Mag
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:56 PM
Comment #68Noah, I have been fairly critical at times of Rafa, especially for his defensive mindset at home to Sunderland. He seems to play Cisse for his mobility over Mitro, but he’s hardly a speedy athlete is he, for closing down etc? What a terrible transfer mess we made.
GeordieTwo
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:57 PM
Comment #69A lot of work left to be done Oleg. We’ve got a decent chance to survive but only because of Rafa. The rest of the executive tossers can take a long walk off a short pier.
GeordieTwo
Apr 30, 2016 at 7:59 PM
Comment #70We have been a disaster as a club for years now thanks to the complete dunce Ashley and his pack of mindless idiots. Now we have somebody extremely capable. Just hand Rafa full control and shut your cakehole Mike.
KevinLee
Apr 30, 2016 at 8:02 PM
Comment #71The Newcastle Armchair, we want to sack pardew season, not finished 5th place season, we want him out is fight for relegation season, please check before you refute
NoahJ
Apr 30, 2016 at 8:19 PM
Comment #72Munster
Cisse’s mobility is literally his worst trait lol- he’s either not moving at all, or he’s three yards offside. For this reason, his poor movement means players like sissoko, perez and townsend have to work twice as hard to find him.
I personally think Rafa is using him for his experience, but I’d rather have someone with fight over someone with experience any day.
But yes, I shall leave it to Rafa 🙂
EllaGuru
Apr 30, 2016 at 8:21 PM
Comment #73Lascelles was that experienced, confident CB we have been craving for today. Vocal, calm, strong in the air and on the ground. We have a gem if we can keep developing him! HWTL
For the record, I really sis not believe he could show such maturity and take command of a brutal back line! Hats off to him.
Back Door Man
Apr 30, 2016 at 8:39 PM
Comment #74I watched the match with nowt but a queasy sense of doom in the first half which, metaphorically left me squirming on the netty during half-time.
The second half performance only had two standout moments, that great goal and the penalty save. In awarding that penalty Dean proved he is hopelessly sparring out of his weight division. In matches as critical as these we need Shami Chakrabarti type honesty from the officials … the handball WASN’T deliberate so the penalty shouldn’t have been given. Yep, I know Sissoko was a dick for raising his arm.
Back Door Man
Apr 30, 2016 at 8:44 PM
Comment #75Regarding my difficulty posting long comments … I emailed Ed and got a prompt reply:
“In the latest release of WordPress 4.5 – they have introduced a new
restriction on the total word count of any one comment.
The new maximum comment length is 65,525 characters.”
That seems like an awful lot and I’d be suprised if any of my stuff was that long. Now to search for a character/word counter on my phone.
Dennis Twice
Apr 30, 2016 at 8:57 PM
Comment #76Attack Toon attack, attack!
benjohnsen
Apr 30, 2016 at 9:29 PM
Comment #77@Noah.
Mobility is exactly the reason why Cisse plays over Mitrovic. Cisse is actually good at stretching the oppositions defense. Yes, Cisse has a really bad touch, but he is box player and not a lone meeting striker. He got absolutely no help today against two defenders.
Mitrovic is a better holding striker, but he is too slow to play lone striker. If you start Mitrovic you will see the defense line of the other team will be a lot higher, than with Cisse.
In fact speed has been our achilles heel the last couple of seasons. When Shelvey, Perez and Mitrovic came on they looked a lot slower than Sissoko and Townsend who had already played more than an hour.
Speed was also Cabella and Thauvins problem in this league. They got easily run up by defenders considered slow in this league.