Sunday had alarm bells ringing on Tyneside as the west London club came to St James' Park with intentions to clean up their losing act. With Barton, Williamson, collocini and Nolan all out is was always going to be a tough game. Chelsea started the game well but the presence of King Carroll puts the heebeejeebees up any defence and on 6 minutes Carrolls presence forced Alex into a back pass that went straight past Cech and Carroll had the legs to get round Cech and slot the ball into the empty net. 1-0 to United. A lead we did not expect but took with open hands. St James' Park went mad and the game had chances for both sides but as the top four have a habit of doing they grabbed an equaliser from a lucky deflection moments before the half time whistle. Talk about a good time to score, the game would surely be won by the champions now. After the break we had more of the same a very open game and one Newcastle took to Chelsea but with a lack of quality in the team we found it hard to capitalise on our chances. Ameobi was poor for this one along with Guthrie who seemed to hide but some welcomed news for our defence was that Taylor and Cambell came in and took care of defensive duties without a problem. Taylor who has not played since January did brilliantly and Campbell too but did look a little tired toward the end. My preferred pairing at the back alongside Simpson and Enrique who I have to say was our best player by far, always searching for the forward ball attacking the Chelsea defence and defending as though his life depended upon it. No way are we going down if we have players this committed something we have only envied in other clubs over recent years. Chelsea did have opportunities and they always will with this team but the defence was as good as their attack. They had the ball in the back of the net in the second half but the Ref got the decision spot on with a hand ball from Drogba. A point for both clubs saw Chelsea in second place behind Manchester Utd for the first time since going top this season. A fair result as both teams had chances they should have put away. A point cant be sniffed at from one of the top four home or away but lots of Newcastle fans felt very disappointed with only a point.
Taylor and Cambell came in and took care of defensive duties without a problem
Nolan now out with an ankle injure he has been playing on for weeks it is more bearable with the comeback of Barton for the away trip to the Hawthorns. Guthrie surely back on the bench as Routledge did put in a very positive performance and one he is likely to be rewarded for. The form of Carroll is still top quality but more worries for his strike partner as Ameobi was back to his old self. Ranger came on late against Chelsea and did cause some problems. Will the Ranger get his chance or will Ameobi get another? Best is back in contention now along with Lovenkrands who is struggling to find any decadent form this season. West Brom like to get the ball down and move it they had a massive win away at Everton at the weekend so with two teams with confidence and two managers who play openly this should be a cracking game maybe a advertisement for the Premiership from two promoted clubs? The likes of Campbell,Taylor and Tiote will need to be in top form for this trip as West Brom will be ready and waiting. United will go into this game looking for the points though as it would take us half way to safety and trying to better last seasons Championship opener of a draw.
picture sourced from http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newcastle-united/
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