Newcastle have been very much second best in the first half against Arsenal at the Emirates, where Arsenal have dominated possession, and are two goals to the good from Van Persie.
But for the brilliance of Shay Given, who made two top class saves. And two open goal misses from Gallas and Van Persie Arsenal could have, and should have been well ahead after 45 minutes.
But Arsenal don’t score the goals that represent their dominance and it was a penalty when N’Zogbia was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball when he was looking away from the ball and raised his right hand for some balance.
Perse, after 18 minutes, gave Given no chance as hit the ball beautifully to Given’s left hand side, past a despairing dive from Shay.
In the first half Coloccini was excellent in the heart of the Newcastle defense, and is now the leader of Newcastle’s defense.
It was after just 3 minutes that Gallas somehow managed to blaze over from 5 yards, with the goal at his mercy, and then after 6 minutes Given brilliantly save from Toure low to his left to turn the ball around the post.
Then after 18 minutes Newcastle got the penalty, which was very dubious but referee Rob Styles has a history of giving dubious penalties.
The problem Newcastle were having is that they couldn’t get the ball, and when they got it they were giving it away.
Then after 31 minutes a free kick from just outside the box was going in high to Shay’s top right hand corner when the Irish keeper made another outstanding save, to turn the ball over the bar. A top drawer save form Given.
This lad is again proving he is one of the best keepers in the Premiership.
But it was still just 1-0 with half time approaching and Newcastle were still in the game, despite being comprehensively outplayed.
And after 37 minutes an excellent Gutierrez cross was going to Owen, who was ready to tap the ball home, but amazingly Shola Ameobi got in Michael’s way, and the chance was lost. It was terrible play by Shola, who should have read the play a lot better.
But then Arsenal got their second crucial goal, when Arsenal caught Newcastle short at the back and Emmanuel Eboue, down the tight crossed into the center for Van Perse to force the ball home. That was after 42 minutes and a bad time for the Magpies to concede the second goal.
Just before half time, Enrique limped off and was replaced by Bassong.
Then just before the break Owen forced the Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, into an excellent save.
The good news is that Owen has had a couple fo chances in the last 8 minutes of the half, but newcastle will find the second half difficult now – because they have to attack, and Arsenal are excellent at rapid counter-attacks .
A goal from Newcastle can get the side back into the game, but unfortunately Newcastle have caught Arsenal at the top of their game.
230 comments so far
TB
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:37 PM
Comment #1as bad as this has been, we could have 2 goals if it wasnt for Shola missing a pass and then blocking a shot.
get him off and who knows?? Lets steal a point with a comeback!
Black and White Blood
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:37 PM
Comment #2My god I hate Ameobi – Does he know which way the goal is..?
Please please bring in a ACM….Please please Keegan!
Lew Davies
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Comment #3Breaking News
NUFC sell Tim Krull to Feyenord for 1.5 mill?
ANDYGLOSTOON
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Comment #4wish the commnetators would stop bitching.players now mike ashley getting stick for drinking
ObaFan2
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Comment #5Gooners have played well tbh, I agree Ed and we haven’t been allowed to play but Spidey is by far our best player along with our other new signings imo.
Shola is a waste of space unfortunately same as Smith when he plays.
ObaFan2
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Comment #6ha ha bought a free kick lol
Steve_48
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Comment #7Come on Keegan get your lads to turn this into attack, as far as I’m concerned we don’t need to worry about goal difference this season and you can only get 3 points even if you score 4 goals so get your fingers out lads and go for it
TB
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Comment #8shola looks beyond lost out there. Its pathetic.
ObaFan2
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Comment #9What a WASTE
lee
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Comment #10keegan said no dead wood…… wat about smith / shola
toonfanjonny
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:43 PM
Comment #11at least smith tries
ObaFan2
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Comment #12come on the TOON….. ref had to book Given too fgs
Steve_48
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Comment #13You realise it’s 13 against 9; they have Shola and Rob Stiles
lee
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Comment #14il try. i can run all day
Mson
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Comment #15Well what seem must wierd for me is the LOUSY technical display from some players, cant pass the ball and first touch is AHH as bad as a player can have.
zog/butt/enique: cant handle ball at all!
guthrie/butt dont mark or work home at all after opposite CMs
shola? is that a fotball player at all?
Overall NO RUNS at all off the ball from no one. only two players that reach ‘OK’ status and its jonas+shay (maybe owen too)…
ObaFan2
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Comment #16omg we got a decision lmao
TB
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Comment #17what a player jonas is..
all over the place.
ObaFan2
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Comment #18Shola’s doin better tbh
Steve_48
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Comment #19Nice corner for a change, Butt unlucky
toonfanjonny
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Comment #20tasty
TB
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Comment #21gotta love the fire the guys are playing with right now…
outside of shola that is.
ObaFan2
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Comment #22nearly… are we gonna have some luck this half ?
ObaFan2
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Comment #23did the comentators say we’re doin well 😆
obamagic
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Comment #24great start on the 2nd half
ObaFan2
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:51 PM
Comment #25fgs we’re so pap at times 🙁
brian
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Comment #26This is gonna get ugly.
lee
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Comment #27shit
obamagic
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Comment #28time to put in the young ones.
ObaFan2
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:53 PM
Comment #29They are gettin so much space in front of our box it’s rediculous.
lee
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:53 PM
Comment #30liverpool
lee
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:53 PM
Comment #31?
Pete
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Comment #32Back to reality! We’re miles away from this level
ObaFan2
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Comment #33idd Lee, good riddance to Van persie……
bruTOOOON
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Comment #343-0. we suck….
this is our real team season by season…
collocini no longer a good defender.
ameobi always commit fouls….
Mson
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Comment #35yea our Center midfield LACK ALOT, we dont have a chance there and gunner can walk right up to our box with no hassle at all…
vaughany
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:55 PM
Comment #36Diffent class arsenal, wat a goal
ToonKing
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:56 PM
Comment #37we have no midfield whatsoever….Jones is the only one decent and Guthrie is trying too but Zog and Butt are dreadful…
can’t watch this anymore….
Shola is absolutely the worst player i have ever seen…..he cost us at least 2 goals today and just doesn’t give a feck….
brian
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:57 PM
Comment #38I wouldn’t get to disheartened on the defense. When they play the entire game on alert, it’s only a matter of time. There is no depth in the midfield or the attack.
toonfanjonny
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:57 PM
Comment #39today arsenal are playing the best they can and we are pretty poor
Frankie Wilde
Aug 30, 2008 at 6:57 PM
Comment #40We need help, How come when we play Arsenal they always play magical football???