Newcastle Fail To Get Points At Home Yet Again

Newcastle's 30th league game of the season against Arsenal, at St. James' Park on Saturday, was another vital one in terms of the team surviving in the Premier League this season.And it turned out to be yet another defeat, against an impressive Arsenal outfit, but Newcastle missed more than one chance in the first half, including a penalty.

With nothing much happening in the game, the referee Mark Halsey surprisingly pointed to the spot, after 23 minutes, when goalkeeper Almunia supposedly fouled Ryan Taylor, after the Arsenal keeper dropped the ball, and then seemed to push Taylor to the ground,  in trying to retrieve it.

A dubious penalty at best but then up stepped Oba Martins to take the spot kick, in the absence of usual penalty taker Michael Owen, and Oba hit a weak shot to the left of the Arsenal goalkeeper and Almunia easily saved it. If Newcastle cannot score when offered a gift like this at home, then Newcastle only have themselves to blame if the side does get relegated.

Newcastle should have been one up right there, and goals change games, and that would at the very least given the Newcastle players some confidence, and raised the voices of the long suffering 50,000 Geordie fans, who seemed only too willing to cheer on their side.

Other chances were also missed, including a golden opportunity for Peter Lovenkrands, who couldn't quite turn the ball into the goal from just five years out. Perhaps if Michael Owen had started things would have been different, but this was another strange starting eleven that coach Chris Hughton had selected, for the second game in a row.

It was an even game until Arsenal scored through Nicklas Bendtner, on 57 minutes with a powerful header from a left wing corner. But then within a minute Newcastle were level again, and it was a terrific opportunist strike from Oba Martins. The Nigerian had the ball in the back of the net after Gallas had delayed his clearance.

That didn't make up for Oba's miss in the first half, but it was an excellent goal out of nothing, from the Nigerian.

However, two goals in three minutes from the London outfit put the game away for Arsenal. First Robin van Persie put Abou Diaby straight through, and Diaby brilliantly hit the high into the back of the net and past a helpless Steve Harper. Then just 3 minutes later, it was van Persie again the provider, as he set up Samir Nasri, who rammed the ball low and just inside Harper's left-hand post, and it looked like the sheer the speed of the strike beat the Newcastle goalkeeper.

Newcastle just couldn't get back into the game, and it took Harper to make a couple of great saves to keep the score down.

Michael Owen came on in the second half, but by then it was too late, and Newcastle sank to yet another home defeat, and a dismal record of just one win in their last 14 games.

If that is not relegation form, one has to wonder what is.

Comments welcome.

Newcastle Point At Hull Not Good Enough

Newcastle's game againsy Hull City at the KC Stadium on Saturday was billed as a must-win game for the Tyneside club.

After having played really well against Manchester United the last time out, Newcastle fans were hoping for only the second win in the last 11 league games, against fellow relegation strugglers Hull City, who started the game a full 4 points ahead of Newcastle.

But Newcastle played nowhere near the form they displayed against the World Club champions, and it was indeed Hull who started the game attacking Newcastle, and they got a good first goal after just 9 minutes with a good header from the impressive Geovanni - full name Geovanni Deiberson Maurício Gómez. But it was a free header by the 5 times capped Brazilian - but where were all the Newcastle defenders?

In the first 30 minutes Hull were easily the better side, but then Newcastle finally decided to turn up for the game, and a wonderful opportunist goal from local lad, Steven Taylor, after 38 minutes, had the sides level before half time.

Nicky Butt send in a good right wing center, and it was met on the volley by Steven Taylor, just 7 yards out and he put the ball into Hull's top right hand corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance at all. It was a wonderful goal from Steven, and probably the best goal Steven has scored for Newcastle.  And it was his 3rd goal of the season, and his 8th overall. Steven used to be a center forward as a youngster, and it showed with that goal.

In the second half, Newcastle were the better team, but a golden chance for Gutierrez on 60 minutes, which was brilliantly set up by Alan Smith, was hopelessly missed by the Argentine International, as he blazed the ball way over the bar from a really good position.  Jonas still has to score his first goal for Newcastle, and that's not surprising on this evidence.

Chris Hughton took captain Michael Owen off after 73 minutes, but Newcastle needed more goal scoring ability on the field and his choice of Ameobi to replace Owen, was hardly a good one.  Denmark International Peter Lovenkrands, who had looked good against the Red Devils, in partnership with Oba Martins, and who had also scored the goal that halted Edwin van der Sar's clean sheet streak, wasn't even used on Saturday.

That's a big weakness with Hughton, who seems to do some strange things with his substitutions, but maybe that explains why in 9 games in charge of Newcastle this season, Chris has but 2 draws and 7 defeats - which is hardly good.

But Newcastle were unable to get the goal that would have given them a vital 3 points and now the Tyneside club remains joint 3rd bottom of the league, and with this average display against a mediocre side, it would appear that Newcastle fans' anxieties will be taken right down to the wire this season.

Something the faithful fans on Tyneside have hardly deserved this season, but what's new at Newcastle?

Comments welcome.

Newcastle Defense Magnificent In Second Half

Last Sunday's home game with Everton was another crucial game in Newcastle's fight against relegation this season, which is now the third season in a row that Tyneside club have had to fight against relegation.

And it turned out be a game of two halves.

Everton were well below strength with Cahill and Hibbert missing the game though suspension and they also had injuries to Yakubu, Vaughan, Valente, Fellaini (back), Pienaar and Osman (stomach). Yet in the first half Everton were still the better side with Newcastle's's Butt and Nolan unable to get any hold at all in central midfield.

And Newcastle were indebted to Steve Harper on 19 minutes when he somehow stopped a shot from going into the net following a corner. The ball seemed to have been behind him as he somehow got his right arm to the ball and managed to scoop the ball along the goal line and Sebastien Bassong was able to boot the ball clear. An amazing escape for Newcastle, and brilliant goalkeeping by local boy Steve Harper.

But then new signing Peter Lovenkrands missed a complete sitter, when he somehow managed to scoop the ball wide of Howard's left hand post, with the goal completely at his mercy.

Newcastle were battling to get back into this game when on 44 minutes the worst thing possible for the Magpies happened. A horrific challenge by Kevin Nolan on Anichebe, had the referee, quite rightly, give Kevin a straight red card. TV replays showed the tackle to be a lot worse than it had first appeared and it was fortunate that Anichebe didn't have his leg broken, it was that bad.

But Nolan at least showed some class afterwards as he apologized to Anichebe, and to the Everton manager David Moyes, for the tackle, and at half time also apologized to his Newcastle team mates, for letting the side down.

So when half time came, Everton had been the better side in the first half and now had to confront a 10 man Newcastle team in the second half, and who wouldn't have bet on Everton getting all 3 points?

But it's a funny game this football, and maybe it was Kevin Nolan's complete honesty that set the stage for an unlikely second half.  A new team for Newcastle seemed to emerge in the second half. Argentine International Jonas Gutierrez replaced an ineffective Damien Duff, and Lovenkrands went on the right wing, with new lad Ryan Taylor, recently signed from Wigan, moving inside to central midfield.

The Newcastle defense, with  the back four completely outstanding, stepped up to the plate and produced a determined and fighting performance that was just great to witness for the loyal 48,000 Newcastle fans, who roared on their team.

The pick of the bunch in the second half was again 22 year-old 6'2" Frenchman Sebastien Bassong, who was majestic at the back for Newcastle, and ably assisted by Argentine International Fabricio Coloccini, who marked Everton on-loan striker Jol completely out of the game.

Surely it cannot be long before Bassong gets a call-up for the full France side, as in this, his first season in the Premier League, he's been Newcastle's best player.  And Spanish left-back, Jose Enrique, put in his best 45 minutes of defensive football for the team, as the 22 year-old is starting to look the part on Tyneside, although the fee Newcastle paid of £6.2M, to Villarreal, still looks very high.

In fact Steve Harper didn't have too much to do in the second half, so good was the Newcastle back four, until the 92nd minute, when 17 year old future star midfielder Jack Rodwell produced a terrific drive from outside the penalty area, that Harper, at full stretch low to his right, only just managed to flick round the upright.

The referee gave a goal-kick to Newcastle but TV replays showed the ball was going in, if Harper hadn't reached it, and the new Newcastle number one goalkeeper saved the day for his side.

The final whistle blew and most Newcastle fans would have been happy with the solitary point, but just exactly what the Magpies could have done in the second half with a full complement of players is anybody's guess.

However, the good news was that Newcastle showed again they are forming a resilience, that makes them a difficult side to beat, and with a few class signings in the summer, and more players added to their small squad, Newcastle are not a million miles way from having a more than decent team again.

Comments welcome.

Newcastle Win Massive Game For Sick Manager Joe Kinnear

This was a must-win game for Newcastle.

Newcastle had not won since they beat Spurs at St. James’ Park back on 21st December, and that was a full 8 games. Add to that the fact that Newcastle were just two points above WBA in the league, with WBA rock bottom and a WBA win would have taken them above Newcastle in the league.

Before the game even started Joe Kinnear was rushed to hospital with pains in his left arm and high blood pressure, which are of course classic symptoms of a pending heart attack. Chris Hughton was left in charge and after Kevin Keegan left the club in early September, Chris was in charge of all 5 games that Newcastle lost before Joe Kinnear arrived.

So there was already plenty of excitement before the game even started, and not particularly good news for Newcastle fans. The game started quickly, and there were 3 goals scored in the first 9 minutes, and  all were due to defensive mistakes.

Newcastle's Damien Duff scored after all of 67 seconds when Leon Barnett somehow misplayed a simple through ball and left the Irishman all clear. Damien made no mistake in putting to ball past goalkeeper Scott Carson, for his 3rd goal of the season. But after 4 minutes Newcastle showed they were not much better, when a bad mistake by Steven Taylor let in Marc-Antoine Fortune, who rifled the ball past goalkeeper Steve Harper, and the scores were level.

However, another mistake from the WBA defense, when they should have easily cleared the ball, created an opportunity for new boy, Danish International Peter Lovenkrands. The former Rangers and Schalke 04 player rifled the ball into the net in the style of Michael Owen. That was fitting since Michael was his hero, when Peter was at Glasgow Rangers for 7 years.

It was plain to see why both sides were down near the bottom of the league, as both defenses looked shaky at best in the first half. Newcastle however were the better side and looked good going forward, with new boy Kevin Nolan and Nicky Butt winning the midfield battle with ease. And then on 41 minutes a corner from another new lad, Ryan Taylor, that had his name-sake Steven head the ball into an empty net from all of 6 yards out.

You may ask where the WBA defenders were, and certainly that's a question WBA manager Tony Mowbray would have been asking at half time. That goal put Newcastle 3-1 up, and it was the first time Newcastle had scored 3 goals since their only away win of the season, 3-0 at Portsmouth on 14th December. Newcastle were 3-1 ahead at the break.

The second half didn’t have as many mistakes as in the first half, and Newcastle looked well in control, but a WBA goal was always going to bring the home side to life, who were massively supported by a full house at The Hawthorns. And after 73 minutes Marc-Antoine Fortune got his second goal, but it was controversial.

A WBA player was down injured and Shola Ameobi had expected the referee to stop the game and he gave the ball away. Newcastle were protesting to the WBA players to put the ball out of play, but WBA played on, and after several more moves, Marc-Antoine Fortune had the ball in the back of the net.

Nicky Butt was furious that WBA had played on, but quite truthfully it was a few moves after Shola had given the ball away, and it was a dispute that was a little hard to justify, and WBA played to the rules.

That should have given WBA all they needed to throw everything they had at the Newcastle side, but the Magpies were able to last out the game with some ease. This was Newcastle second away win of the season and only their sixth win all year. However, there was lots in this game to cheer up the Newcastle fans, who roared out The Blaydon Races at the conclusion of this game.

It was a win – in a must win game, and the three new players all played a massive part. Peter Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor and Kevin Nolan were picked up for just £6M, and they all looked bargain buys. While Newcastle fans were not happy that only three were signed, the quality of the new players was pleasing to see.

But if Newcastle are to remain safe this season, there is still plenty of work to do in the Newcastle defense and Joe Kinnear may give a try out to Ryan Taylor in one of the two full back positions. This was a massive get well soon message to manager Joe Kinnear, who will stay in hospital for a couple of days for observation.

Whether Joe can continue soon in the manager job at Newcastle is unknown, but the players did their very best for their manager yesterday, and certainly thousands of Newcastle fans will now be upbeat over the next two weeks before the next game at home to Everton in two weeks time.

Add to that the fact that injured players Mark Viduka, Alan Smith, Oba Martins and possibly Danny Guthrie will all be ready for the Everton game, and things look much better right now at Newcastle.

Another win against Everton and Newcastle fans will be in orbit.

Comments very welcome.

Worst Result Possible For Newcastle At Blackburn

Newcastle United have once again been decimated by injuries to first team players, and yesterday at Blackburn Joe Kinnear was without Smith, Viduka, Ameobi, Martins, Gonzalez, Geremi, Cacapa and Habib Beye, and Jonas Enrique, who was on the bench had a tight hamstring, and wasn't risked. So 9 players not available through injury, down two players from the previous week.

Why Newcastle have more injuries than any other team in the Premier League every season, has to have a cause somewhere, and it would behoove the club to look into just why the team gets so many injuries.

With so many first team players not available Newcastle played very well in the first half, and if anything were the better team, and with any kind of luck at all may have been one or two goals ahead, with young Andy Carroll, the 6'4" local lad looking impressive in front of watching England Manager Fabio Capello.

One highlight of Newcastle's play away from home is clean sheets, and the team has kept 4 clean sheets in the last 5 games, so 0-0 at half time looked good from the perspective of Newcastle fans. Maybe the team could secure even a win in the second half.

But then referee Rob Styles, for the 3rd time this season gave another very dubious penalty decision, this time  against young David Edgar, when South African Benni McCarthy went down ever so easily from the slightest of nudges, even through Edgar played the ball for a corner, and amazingly Styles pointed to the spot, for yet another of his controversial decisions, that completely changed the game.

McCarthy of course recovered quickly once he saw he had actually conned the referee into giving the penalty and took it himself, easily beating Shay Given in the Newcastle goal. That's the 9th penalty Newcastle have given away this season, and all but one have been dispatched into the net.

Unfortunately, the usual fighting spirit of this Newcastle side disappeared 5 minutes later when a long free kick from Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson was dispatched into the net in a jiffy by Jason Roberts, when most Newcastle fans were wondering where the Newcastle defense was.

Then on 86 minutes another poor goal saw Jason Roberts score his second, and Joey Barton and Jose Enrique arguing between themselves on the field, and had to be separated by Michael Owen and Shay Given, both of whom could be out of the club come the summer.

The disappointing thing in this game, apart from giving 3 points away to relegation rivals who were 5 points behind Newcastle before the game, is that once Rovers scored their penalty there was only going to be one winner.

And if Newcastle lose their fighting spirit, then things could well be looking even gloomier on Tyneside.

Newcastle fans can only hope that the club can draft 5 new players into the club in January, but after 18 days gone in the transfer window we have the grand total of none through the door yet.

Comments welcome.

Newcastle Scrape Draw Againt Impressive West Ham Side

Newcastle were a little lucky to come away yesterday with a draw against an impressive West Ham outfit, but even so they had a couple of chances in extra time to have taken all 3 points.

This was a terrific game of football at St. James' Park with both teams wanting the win and attacking from the first whistle, and it was an excellent advertisement for everything that is good about the English Premier league.

Michael Owen looked sharp and hit the bar early in the game when he waltzed past Collins and hit a beautiful left footed cross-shot that rebounded off the far post - don't believe those that say Owen is way past his best.

Then is was Owen who opened the scoring after 19 minutes with a crisp shot from 25 yards out that Green should have done better with, and it looked like the sheer speed of the shot beat the West Ham goalkeeper.

But West Ham were playing well and they pressed Newcastle for the equalizer with former Newcastle players Bellamy and Parker in fine form. And it was Scott Parker who brilliantly set up Craig for the equalizing goal after 29 minutes, in this all action match where each team was attacking the other.

Half time came and it was probably right that the scores were level but West Ham came out in the second half and raised their game and had Newcastle on the back foot. Then they got a goal which Newcastle fans will ask what the Newcastle were doing as they tried to play Carlton Cole offside but presented the West Ham striker with a chance, which he took very well indeed for his 4th goal in as many games.

After the goal Newcastle were again on the defensive but started to come back into the game - more through spirit and fight - than skill, and it was clear that West Ham had more quality players than the home side.

But on 78 minutes 20 year old local striker Andy Carroll scored his first senior goal for the club with a great header that saved the day for the Geordies. Then in extra time both Carroll and Owen had chances to seal all 3 points, but that would have been unfair to this very good looking West Ham team, that Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clark have playing some attractive football.

This game clearly showed that while the Newcastle team under Kinnear will fight to the death, Newcastle are too short of class, and Newcastle fans will hope - even pray - that 4-5 good players can be brought in during the January transfer window, because if they aren't then Newcastle will again struggle with relegation through the end of the season - and that is becoming too much of  habit on Tyneside recently.

Comments are very welcome.

Newcastle Continue To Improve Under Kinnear's Tenure

This was a game between two revitalized teams, as both Spurs and Newcastle made terrible starts to their seasons.  Kevin Keegan resigned again, after just two league games, and it was five defeats on the trot for the sorry Magpies after that, until Joe Kinnear, on his white horse, arrived at the club in late September.

And it was a similar thing for the Spurs side, who amazingly collected just 2 points from their first 8 league game under Spanish manager, Juande Ramos, until Harry Redknapp arrived on his horse - of the same color.

Joe Kinnear has now gone 12 league games at Newcastle and has 4 wins, 6 draws and 2 defeats for 18 points, after Newcastle had just 4 points from their first 7 league games.  And before yesterday, Harry had been in charge for 9 league games, and had 5 wins 2 draws and 2 defeats. That's 17 points from just 9 games for Harry, and add 3 wins and a draw in the UEFA Cup, so in total in 13 games in charge before yesterday Redknapp had 8 wins 3 draws and two defeats. Both managers have very good records at their new clubs.

And yesterday's game reflected their good records of late, with both teams attacking and their players seemingly full of confidence. Newcastle took the lead after just 11 minutes, which was started by a great kick downfield by Shay Given, which was duly put in the net by 22year-old Frenchman Charles N'Zogbia. Before doing so he had fell in the penalty area, and it's hard to remember a player getting up so quickly to swivel and put the loose ball into net, for an excellent goal, and it gives goalkeeper Shay Given a rare assist. Shay has done every thing else at Newcastle in his eleven years at the club- so why not an assist too?

Tottenham leveled on 28 minutes when both Luka Modric and Roman Pavlyuchenko  looked offside, when a long ball was kicked downfield by center-back Michael Dawson. But Roman didn't go for the ball, so presumably was not interfering with play, but Luka did and put the ball home beautifully past Shay Given with Newcastle appealing for offside.

But the TV replays showed Modric to be offside, and Joe Kinnear did well not to say anything to the match officials. But this updated offside rile is ridiculous, for who's to say whether a player is interfering with play or not?  With Roman clearly about 10 yards offside, the Newcastle players stopped, so was he interfering with play? Yes, from that viewpoint. The offside rule must be cleaned up by FIFA, and the sooner the better.

The second half was all action yesterday, between two good and confident sides, who were both going for the win. And the best missed chance of the game went to Michael Owen, the Newcastle captain, who was set up brilliantly by Man of the Match Charles N'Zogbia, but Owen blazed way over the bar, with his left foot. Michael will score with those chances 9 times out of 10, but not yesterday.

With the game appearing to be petering out for a draw, Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear made a bold move, as he brought Damien Duff on for left full-back Jose Enrique. And would you believe it, within two minutes of being on the filed, Duff was the hero on Tyneside, as he scored a great goal.

He put the ball forward to Mark Viduka, and the Aussie striker back-heeled the ball through, and Duff had the ball in the net in a jiffy, as Brazilian goalkeeper Gomes could not react quickly enough.

It was a nice change for Newcastle fans, since in the last two home games at St. James' Park, against Wigan and Stoke, the team had given up 90th minute equalizers on both occasions, with 4 points down the drain, so it was nice to get all 3 points yesterday.

Tottenham fans will feel that they should have at least got a point yesterday, and that's what they deserved, but in this game at least, they didn't get it.

That's football sometimes.

Comments welcome.

Newcastle Defense Now Key Under Joe Kinnear

It's hard to think of when Newcastle had a decent defense because even back in the 1990s when Kevin Keegan was running the Entertainers, the defense was hardly the strongest part of the team.

But Joe Kinnear was a defender himself when he played right back for Tottenham and Ireland for 10 years, and Joe has concentrated on making Newcastle's defense consistent and resilient. Joe works with the defense four day during each week as they simulate various attacking situations and the lads get used to exactly what they need to do in each situation.

Before yesterday's game at Portsmouth, Newcastle were 3rd bottom of the league, and had the unusual
record of being unbeaten in 4 games and without a win in 5. That's because Newcastle have had 4 draws in a row, and in two of them, both at home, the opposing side have equalized in injury time, which has cost the side 4 points.

But yesterday everything Joe had been telling the players and the fans all came together in one single  game. Newcastle were on the back foot in the first half as Portsmouth went on the attack, and from the Pompey point of view probably should have scored. But they didn't, due to some resilient defending at the back from Newcastle, and a brilliant save from the great Shay Given after 30 minutes.

Newcastle were no doubt happy to have survived the first half and been all square at the break, and of course then in the second half, Newcastle started to come on, since Kinnear had said that the plan was always to go after all 3 points.

Michael Owen got the critical first goal after 52 minutes, from a brilliant defense splitting through ball from Argentine Jonas Gutierrez, for the second week running. This gave the Newcastle team confidence and they were determined not to capitulate in yesterday's game, as they did last week, when they gave away a two goal advantage at home to Stoke City.

Newcastle gained in confidence and thwarted Pompey's efforts to get back into the game, and a second goal, this time by fellow striker Oba Martins, after 78 minutes, seemed to kill off the Portsmouth challenge.

A final goal from Man of the Match, 21 year-old  Danny Guthrie after 89 minutes, when Danny banged the ball home first time, from a nice cut-back from Shola Ameobi, helped improve the Newcastle goal difference to -2. That takes Tyneside team above Spurs in the league, by more goals being scored, since the goal difference is the same.

Next game is Spurs at St. James' Park, and if the defense can start to keep clean sheets at home too, there's no reason that game cannot be won. It's now 4 clean sheets in the last 7 games and it may be that Newcastle fans will have to get used to having a top defensive unit, which the North East team hasn't had in years and years.

Comments very welcome.

Newcastle Throw Points Away In Second Half

Newcastle United played extremely well in the first half yesterday, against Stoke City, and were comfortably ahead by two goals at half time.

And Michael Owen was back with two classic Owen type goals, as two excellent through balls by Gutierrez and Martins respectively, were dispatched brilliantly into the net by the England striker. On this goal-scoring form let's not write Michael off for England just yet, and Michael certainly hasn't given up the ghost of getting back into the England side again.

Michael looked razor sharp in the first half, and he may have lost a little bit of pace but not his predatory instincts are still there for all to see. So it looked very much like Newcastle were going to get the easy win the Newcastle fans yearned for, against a team who had just 2 away points from their previous 7 games. Add to that the Newcastle defense had been playing well and hadn't conceded a goal in their previous two matches, and it almost looked game over at half time.

But of course nothing is certain at Newcastle United, as long-time Geordie fans know only too well, and Stoke, to their credit lifted their game in the second half.  And then after 60 minutes they got their all important first goal. Sidibe beat Coloccini far too easily on the outside as he rounded the Argentine, and then slid the ball back to Fuller who stabbed the ball into the net. A poor goal for Newcastle to concede and it was game on.

Stoke were pressing for the equalizer in the last 30 minutes, but when Fuller missed a wide open opportunity after 89 minutes, following a poor Given punch, it looked like Newcastle would at least hang on for their first win in 5 games. But alas, it was not to be, as a free kick from the right by Glenn Whealen on 90 minutes, eluded all the Newcastle defenders and landed at Abdoulaye Faye's feet and he could hardly miss, and didn't.

Faye was at Newcastle for a season last year and it was another twist of the knife in the back for Newcastle's loyal fans, that a former player cost them two points. But to be fair, the way Newcastle played in the second half was their own downfall, because you cannot just sit on leads in the Premier League these days, becasue the other teams are just too good, and when you invite teams to come to you, they do just that.

For Newcastle to concede two goals in the last 45 minutes when Stoke only had 3 previous away goals just about tells you how inept Newcastle were in the second half.

Newcastle are just not good enough a team right now to close down a game, and they shouldn't even try it. The team should have been out there in the second half trying to make it 4-0 rather than holding onto what they had, and that exactly what they would have been doing in the second half of last season. Where are you Kevin Keegan?

If Newcastle keep throwing points away like this away at home, the team will stay in the relegation zone, and deserve to be there. Unfortunately, it's just not good enough.

Comments are very welcome.

Newcastle Beat Villa 2-0 To Go 14th In League Table

Newcastle United, who started the match in bottom place in the league table, did themselves a power of good this evening against a very good Aston Villa side, when Oba Martins scored two second half goals to give the Magpies a deserved 2-0 win at St. James' Park.

Given all the uncertainty surrounding the club, and if and when it will be sold, Joe Kinnear has to date done a sterling job in his 5 games in charge. Joe now has two successive wins, two draws and only one defeat, although that was to North East rivals Sunderland.

But since Sunderland won that game Newcastle have won twice and Sunderland have lost twice so Newcastle are now one place above Sunderland in 14th position in the league. A strange game this football.

The first half was very even but the better chances went to Aston Villa, who looked a good side, very quick on the break. Laursen grazed the post with a good header from a corner after only 11 minutes, and showed that Villa have become a dangerous side under Martin O'Neill.

But the miss of the game was from Agbonlahor, who from 7 yards out and with the goal at his mercy,  mis-kicked the ball, and that was a huge let off for the Magpies.

Half time came with the side all square at 0-0, but it took a little piece of magic from Oba Martins, who is a big favorite on Tyneside. After 60 minutes Oba got the ball just outside the box, and turned to his right to beat off Laursen's challenge, and then rifled home a beautiful left foot shot wide of Brad Friedel's desperate dive, and just inside the keeper's left hand goal post.

That was the first goal, and the Newcastle fans knew it was a big breakthrough as they went wild. The goal gave Newcastle new hope and confidence and they started to boss the game a little, although there was still time for a couple of uncomfortable moments in the Newcastle penalty area.

But then on 82 minutes Jonas, the Argentine International, who has another good game, burst into the penalty area and laid it on a plate for that man Martins, who made no mistake from point blank range. 2-0 and the game was won and a nice gesture from Joe Kinnear, who then replaced Martins with Claudio Cacapa. The Nigerian got a huge ovation from the Newcastle faithful, as he left the field - a job well done.

A good and crucial win by the Magpies when the ships were down, and the next two games are winnable in Fulham away and Wigan at home. But they will still need to play as well as they did tonight, to have any chance of winning those games too.

This is also a huge win for Joe Kinnear who now has 8 points from his 5 games in charge in the league, after coming in on a Magpies losing streak of 5 games, when he took over. Well done Joe seems to be inadequate praise for this fighting Irishman, who has transformed Newcastle into a spirited side under his considerable leadership.

Comments very welcome.