Arsene Wenger got a taste of his own medicine on Saturday as his side were looking on song early in the first half encounter at 0-4 up after only 20 minutes. Much has been said about this game and of course Arse-ne did see things this time, well, he saw them his way as always.
The Arsenal fans who made the trip still did not sing when 4 up. The pretty football Arsenal play does not work all the time and it's not the sort of football Geordies want to see. I am of course not speaking for all Geordies here but I know when a hard challenge goes in at St James' Park, the crowd get going. We want commitment and relish the challenge. That of course is what we got on Saturday.
I don't think there was much wrong in the first half, it wasn't like we hadn't had any chances. People have been talking about them throwing it away. Yes, they had the 0-4 lead but we were always going for goal and having some good chances. We could have had one or two in another game and it seemed Arsenal were having one of those days when everything you touch goes in. The second half was, as the first, finished with pressure from Newcastle but it was not until the 67th minute that we had some luck. Tell me Arsenal have not had some of this under Wenger, in the Premier League this season at St James' Park this season for that matter. Does anyone, and in particular Wenger, not remember those incidents in the Carling Cup? Well, a penalty came our way and it was slotted home nicely by Joey Barton.
Barton had been at the centre of some criticism by Arsenal as according to them it should have been him who was sent off in a challenge made half way through the second half. However, Barton went in fully committed and the opposition obviously do not understand that this is a contact sport and not a bunch of fairies running around in leotards passing the ball to each other. So with raised hands clasping the neck of Barton, Diaby was rightly red carded by referee Phil Dowd. The game took an almighty twist as another shot ended up in the back of the net but Dowd ruled a perfectly good goal out. What about that, Arsene, did you not see that? Seconds later Best got his goal, 2-4. Chances kept coming though and Barton got a second chance from the penalty spot and he took it well. 3-4 and Newcastle were back in and St James' Park was going nuts. Seven minutes to go and Newcastle could feel another goal coming and with three minute remaining, Cheick Tiote latched on to a headed clearance and the resultant shot flew straight into the back of the net, 4-4. Tiote ran to the centre of the pitch in disbelief. The rest of the lads jumped him in celebration of his first Toon goal and what a cracker. With only minutes to go Newcastle twice came so close to wrapping up the points but it wasn't to be. Arsene and his boys were very lucky to go back to North London with a point but somehow it felt like a win for the Geordies. Only a win however would have seen this game take top spot in an all time best Prem comebacks although a draw from 0-4 is bloody good. If only that Best goal stood a win it would have been the greatest. Another point toward and 4 points from the gooners this season.
The Arsenal fans who made the trip still did not sing when 4 up. The pretty football Arsenal play does not work all the time and it's not the sort of football Geordies want to see. I am of course not speaking for all Geordies here but I know when a hard challenge goes in at St James' Park, the crowd get going. We want commitment and relish the challenge. That of course is what we got on Saturday.
I don't think there was much wrong in the first half, it wasn't like we hadn't had any chances. People have been talking about them throwing it away. Yes, they had the 0-4 lead but we were always going for goal and having some good chances. We could have had one or two in another game and it seemed Arsenal were having one of those days when everything you touch goes in. The second half was, as the first, finished with pressure from Newcastle but it was not until the 67th minute that we had some luck. Tell me Arsenal have not had some of this under Wenger, in the Premier League this season at St James' Park this season for that matter. Does anyone, and in particular Wenger, not remember those incidents in the Carling Cup? Well, a penalty came our way and it was slotted home nicely by Joey Barton.
Barton had been at the centre of some criticism by Arsenal as according to them it should have been him who was sent off in a challenge made half way through the second half. However, Barton went in fully committed and the opposition obviously do not understand that this is a contact sport and not a bunch of fairies running around in leotards passing the ball to each other. So with raised hands clasping the neck of Barton, Diaby was rightly red carded by referee Phil Dowd. The game took an almighty twist as another shot ended up in the back of the net but Dowd ruled a perfectly good goal out. What about that, Arsene, did you not see that? Seconds later Best got his goal, 2-4. Chances kept coming though and Barton got a second chance from the penalty spot and he took it well. 3-4 and Newcastle were back in and St James' Park was going nuts. Seven minutes to go and Newcastle could feel another goal coming and with three minute remaining, Cheick Tiote latched on to a headed clearance and the resultant shot flew straight into the back of the net, 4-4. Tiote ran to the centre of the pitch in disbelief. The rest of the lads jumped him in celebration of his first Toon goal and what a cracker. With only minutes to go Newcastle twice came so close to wrapping up the points but it wasn't to be. Arsene and his boys were very lucky to go back to North London with a point but somehow it felt like a win for the Geordies. Only a win however would have seen this game take top spot in an all time best Prem comebacks although a draw from 0-4 is bloody good. If only that Best goal stood a win it would have been the greatest. Another point toward and 4 points from the gooners this season.
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