Newcastle got a good point at St. James’ Park today against the Premier league Champions Chelsea, and their fighting display deserved it.
Newcastle started this game in great fashion and Shola Ameobi had a good chance as soon as the second minute, after goalkeeper Cech had made a good save from an Andy Carroll header, but Shola put his shot into the side netting, and he knows he should have done better as he held his head in his hands.
But Newcastle had the start they would have dreamed of, when Chelsea all but gifted the Magpies a goal.
It seemed the harassment of the big men up front Ameobi and Carroll, were unnerving Ivanovic and Alex at the back for Chelsea, and Alex, harried by Carroll was forced into a suicidal back pass to Chec which went beyond the goalkeeper, and Andy Carroll was onto it like greased lightning to put the ball in the back of the net.
Another opportunist goal for big Andy and that was his 9th Premier League goal so far this season – an incredible start for Newcastle they were 1-0 up after 6 minutes.
Put that goal down to Alex being completely spooked by Andy Carroll’s presence.
Newcastle looked very bright in the first 15 minutes but then Chelsea started to come into the game, and Tim Krul almost paid the penalty for delaying his kick as he was lucky as the ball cannoned for a goal kick off the challenging Ramires. Tim got away with that error, and he will have to learn and learn quickly not to delay his clearances.
And Jose Enrique had to be alert as he kicked off the line following a Chelsea corner, as the London side finally got going after Newcastle’s blistering start, and the Blues started to gain control of midfield.
On 36 minutes Newcastle had a bit of luck, as Tiote seemed to bring down Drogba from behind, as Didier went for a through ball and Tiote was the last man – but referee Mariner didn’t even give the foul – phew!!
And their goal came at exactly the wrong time for Newcastle as Kalou hit the equalizer home on 44 minutes when he seemed to have a free shot on goal even though three defenders were there, but didn’t get any block on the shot and it was 1-1012 at half time.
Chelsea had come into the game after they had gone behind but Newcastle came out fighting after the break.
And on 62 minutes Routledge almost scored his first ever Premier League goal as Cech punched an incoming free kick away straight to Routledge out on the right – and Wayne hit the ball in and only a spectacular goal line stop by Ashley Cole saved Chelsea.
Routledge had a good game today and it was clear from the start that Wayne was ready for this game and he played well and worked like a Trojan for Newcastle this afternoon.
Krul then made a decent save from an Ivanovic header in the 71st minute, and again Chelsea were starting to get on top and look for the winner.
Chris Hughton then brought on Nile Ranger for Shola Ameobi, and Andy Carroll then seemed to drop back a bit and help out the defense more, as they were coming under increasing pressure.
Nile Ranger again looked impressive for Newcastle, and he seems to be back where he was at the beginning of last season, in getting sub appearances and impressing too.
And as the game reached its conclusion Chelsea went for the winner, but you cannot criticize this Newcastle team for fight and passion, and the lads held out for a very good point, after last week’s calamity at Bolton.
The defense was so much better than last week, and Chris will be hoping the nightmares of last week are over – and maybe they are.
As Chelsea continued to press for the winner, the Newcastle defense remained steadfast under pressure, and praise to both Steven Taylor and Sol Campbell particularly, who came into a top game for their first league starts of the season, and both did Newcastle proud.
Whether you like these two lads or not – they got the job done for Newcastle today – under very difficult circumstances and credit to both of them, and in fact to all the hard working Newcastle players.
Sol Campbell in particular looked very solid at the back for Newcastle this afternoon, and seemed really fit and belied his 36 years.
Good work this afternoon from the Newcastle side in front of a decent and appreciative crowd of 46,469, and if the lads continue to show this type of form and fighting spirit, then we should be safe this season.
Don’t forget to vote for your Man of the Match on our home page.
Comments welcome.
Newcastle: Krul; Simpson, S Taylor, Campbell, Enrique; Routledge, Guthrie, Tiote, Gutierrez; Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger, 78). Subs not used: Soderberg, Kadar, Perch, Smith, Best, Lovenkrands.
Chelsea: Cech; Boswinga, Alex, Ivanovic, Cole; Kalou, Ramires, Obi Mikel (Sturridge, 80), Malouda; Drogba, Anelka. Subs not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, van Aanholt, Bruma, Kakuta, McEachran.
Goals: Carroll 6 Kalou 44
Bookings: Ramires 22, Guthrie 90
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)
Attendance: 46,469
25 comments so far
Zangwill_Ho
Nov 28, 2010 at 4:00 PM
Comment #1Good game routledge good performance also
Howay The Lads
Nov 28, 2010 at 4:03 PM
Comment #2Tough decisions for Hoots after how well WR played. I’d also give Ranger more time next game. Unlike Shola he actually has something about him; an unpredictable flair.
Brutooon
Nov 28, 2010 at 4:13 PM
Comment #3Routledge – improve and i am suprise of him
Jonas- should pass the ball more
Guthrie- did ok. but he gave the ball more on the opponents
Back Four – did well. Saylor will improve a lot from campbell present
Thump
Nov 28, 2010 at 4:14 PM
Comment #4I think Routledge has proven that he just isn’t an impact sub. He feels his way around the game rather than sets the tempo like he did in the CCC.
Problem with Ranger is I think he’s still very much learning his trade and while it’s good to see the young lad get a game or two I think it might be worth taking a punt on Best.
Jose_Horny_Enrique
Nov 28, 2010 at 4:14 PM
Comment #5http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9220709.stm
you seen this? it’s i’m looking at chelsea’s web page or something all they talk about is chelsea, what’s with that?
pearceet
Nov 28, 2010 at 4:15 PM
Comment #6Great result!!! Would have bitten your hand off for that at 1:30pm today!
Match ratings for anyone interested:
http://www.newcastlefcnews.com/2010/11/newcastle-fc-vs-chelsea-fc-player.html
newcastle10
Nov 28, 2010 at 4:27 PM
Comment #7wayne routledge played great 2 day. wud like 2 see ranger start next game with carroll
newcastle10
Nov 28, 2010 at 4:28 PM
Comment #8i also hope stevie taylor signs a new contract
HOGC
Nov 28, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Comment #9i thought routledge was lousy imo. his crossing still sucks, and he is too small to play in the epl. you see most of the people who tackle him, they just stick out one leg, and the ball is off routledge’s feet. im so looking forward to having barton back, can defend and can attack and can cross well too.
BiffBaffBoff
Nov 28, 2010 at 4:48 PM
Comment #105 points from 5th, 5 points from 18th, if we stay 5 points above 18th come the last game of the season it’d be a successful season 🙂
BiffBaffBoff
Nov 28, 2010 at 4:49 PM
Comment #11if we stay 5 points from 5th come end of the season then CH should get manager of the year award imo! 😀
Thump
Nov 28, 2010 at 4:51 PM
Comment #12@HOGC: Aye, Barton can defend and attack… shame he can’t play wide right, eh?
Steve_48
Nov 28, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Comment #13@ Jose_Horny_Enrique // Nov 28, 2010 at 4:14 PM
Typical Southern press perspective, it will always be this way, get used to it.
balubas1
Nov 28, 2010 at 5:01 PM
Comment #14STOP SLATING JONAS FFS.. He’s alone against 3 players most of the time.. he gets no support.. only enrique gets up there.. We should praise him for holding the ball as well as he does with all the odds against him.
aoOjee
Nov 28, 2010 at 5:06 PM
Comment #15i thought routledge was good today, he was up against the best left back defender and turned him a couple of times. if he pushes on against lesser left backs he will be very valuable.
ON ANOTHER NOTE! Norwegian television invited Dennis Wise over for half-time talks and analysing. He took credit for the enrique buy, for not selling andy carroll, for bringing in nile ranger AND now watching the liverpool – spurs game he just had to point out that he bought bassong for newcastle.. why did we get rid of such a brilliant director of football!
Thump
Nov 28, 2010 at 5:06 PM
Comment #16Eh… who slated Jonas, balubas? All I can see is “he should pass more” which he should. He could have laid off a beautiful through ball for Ranger towards the end but instead decided to run into the centre and get dispossessed.
BiffBaffBoff
Nov 28, 2010 at 5:12 PM
Comment #17@ aoojee – Thats strange Dennis Wise says that seeing as Enrique was bought by Sam Allardyce before Wise was even at the club, selling Andy Carroll would have been stupid seeing as he was like 17-18 when Wise was at the club? Did he mention how great signing Xisco and that other Uruguyan guy was? (Forgot his name, thats how great he was…)
BUT he was also responsible for the signing of Ranger, Vuckic and Bassong, so he did do some good stuff but the negatives far outweighed the positives of his impact on the club.
Thump
Nov 28, 2010 at 5:15 PM
Comment #18Nacho?
BiffBaffBoff
Nov 28, 2010 at 5:17 PM
Comment #19Yeah him 🙂
Whitecap
Nov 28, 2010 at 5:35 PM
Comment #20Good result from the lads today. Wasn’t expecting the back 4 to be as solid as they were, all things considered. Enrique in particular impressed with his sure-footed tackling, man of the match if you ask me. And if the whole team showed up and worked as hard as Jonás does every match, we would be right up at the top of the table.
Routledge had his best game of the year, but that isn’t saying much. His crossing was much improved but still too often missed the target. I didn’t see him make a single tackle today either. I think today though he proved himself good enough to be a sub for NUFC.
aoOjee
Nov 28, 2010 at 6:23 PM
Comment #21ah, sorry bout enrique.. he definately mentioned bassong though whom i thought keegan brought in? anyways, no mention of the xiscos or gonzales no 😛
Marty-Toon
Nov 28, 2010 at 6:36 PM
Comment #22ED,
:it was a Steven Taylor header that Cech saved before Shola got his chance
:it was Alex with the back pass
Good point today and the CB`s and Danny will have some good training now to get them up to speed on their fitness
branunited
Nov 28, 2010 at 6:55 PM
Comment #23@ BiffBaffBoff, the boy called IGNACIO GONZALEZ Uruguay, and was worse than a hit.
the only question that I leave this game is that you keep getting ch Shola Ameobi games since climbed to the first team was a great promise and so far not ceased to be, in my opinion it is time to have it removed and make a play or maybe a Peter Lovenkrands nile ranger.
kevin nolan it took us in the game today, Guthrie is a good player, but not so as nolan arrival and goal. winter market we go to bring in reinforcements two striker and two midfielders, in addition to selling players like leon best, Ameobi, Xisco, smith, perch.
overall great night ‘s timetable of the team, if I choose one, I’ll Tiote.
balubas1
Nov 28, 2010 at 7:21 PM
Comment #24Thump:
People have been nagging on about Jonas for a long time mate… You see a post from some ignorant person with no footy knowledge quite alot on here. I just get tired of people thinking he doesn’t perform, and doesn’t understand how difficult it is for him on the left. Like I mentioned he is always facing 2-4 opposition players, and even though enrique gets up there at times, Jonas is mostly left alone to cope.
Nobody seems to notice just how well he is doing… I agree his crossing and passing/shooting isn’t really something to brag about, but he gives the whole team a chance to get in to positions by holding the ball up.. ever noticed he hardly ever looses the ball?? he either gets a pass away, and also goes on another run creating space, or he gets a freekick.
That was the truth…
this is what Brutoon understands of the game:
“he should pass more” …….
Brutooon
Nov 29, 2010 at 2:19 AM
Comment #25he should pass more