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| Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images Europe |
Going into this game there were a number of intriguing questions that needed answering :- How would the Geordie fans react to Alan Pardew's first game in charge at St James'? How would his players react after being so downcast after losing a manager they were all so obviously close to? and more importantly would Liverpool be able to build on their recent run of good performances to take three points from the North East? Well the answer to the first question was evident leading up to kick off; numerous demonstrations by the fans outside the ground in support of the ousted Hughton and against the despised owner Mike Ashley must've struck a chord with the travelling Reds fans as it wasn't so long ago that they found themselves battling an unwanted owner(s). Liverpools quest for goals surely took a shot in the arm with the recalled Fernando Torres back after his midweek foray into fatherhood for the second time.
So the teams lined up as follows :-
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi. Subs: Harper, Guthrie, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Perch, Smith, Ranger.
Referee : Lee Mason.
The opening minutes of the match were a stalemate. Both sides trying to get hold of the ball and move forward but to little success. The vociferous Geordie fans continued to level their abuse at their owner Mike Ashley and at times the unfortunate scapegoat in all of this Alan Pardew. The game presented few chances for either side in the early exchanges and Liverpool had the first real chance after 9 minutes. A Raul Meireles freekick swung in from the right was cleared as far as Lucas just outside the area, he managed to get the ball back back into the area were the waiting Soto Kyrgiakos fired a shot straight at Krul that no doubt stung the keepers hands. On the 11th minute Newcastle found themselves with a great scoring opportunity that began with Torres giving the ball away. The ball was played through to Andy Carroll but luckily he was unable to control it and Reina gathered. The breakthrough was to come not too long afterwards and unfortunately for Liverpool it went to the Magpies. A freekick from Joey Barton was played high into the box were the ever dangerous Andy Carroll (who looked marginally offside) nodded it down to the ex Liverpool FC schoolboy Kevin Nolan and Newcastles top scorer side footed the ball comfortably past Pepe Reina....suddenly it seemed that the Geordie fans had forgotten all about their spat with Mike Ashley.
Liverpool responded to going a goal down by trying to forge forward but were continually left frustrated by either their inability to keep possession or a dogged Newcastle backline in particular Jose Enrique. The intricacies of Liverpools p[passing game was seemingly their undoing at times as they time and again came up short in their attacks, Torres in particular gave the ball away with worrying abandon. One positive of Torres' performance up to this moment was his willingness to take a 26th minute freekick. He's keen to get a goal and whilst not renowned as a dead ball specialist he showed a willingness that all Liverpool fans would want to see. Unfortunately Raul Meireles would probably have been a better choice as the resultant freekick from Torres only found Andy Carroll's midriff in the wall.
Newcastle continued to press forward and looked dangerous. Alan Pardew must surely be pleased with what he's seen so far and the black and whites continued to threaten when Carrolls strike was gathered easily by Reina but along with Ameobi it was his movement and willingness to show for teh ball that was causing the Liverpool defence numerous headaches. Up the other end Raul Meireles came close to getting Liverpool back on level terms but his strike ricocheted off Krul and the waiting Enrique was able to clear off the line. It wasn't long before Newcastle were threatening once more, this time it was a Shola Ameobi strike that wrong footed Reina after taking a wicked deflection off Martin Skrtel, luckily the ball bounced wide. The first half ended with Liverpool in the ascendency; a Raul Meireles corner was headed wide by the powerful Kyrgiakos who once again proves to be Liverpools most potent threat from set pieces. Newcastle went into the break probably just about deserving the lead, whilst The Reds have had more possession they have failed to create many chances and Newcastle continue to look threatening whenever they progress into the final third of the pitch.
'The Better Than Andy Gray's Half Time Analysis Half Time Analysis Report' - It's going to take a big halftime team talk from Roy Hodgson to get Liverpool performing better in the second half. The front two of Torres and Ngog have failed to trouble the immobile Sol Campbell and the wantaway Steven Taylor in the way we would've hoped. Liverpools defence are struggling to keep a check on the two Newcastle strikers with the battle between Kyrgiakos and Carroll at times very much the 'unstoppable force meeting the immovable object!'....and aren't those Geordies a fickle bunch?...one goal and the lead at half time and suddenly everything's forgiven!!...Mike Ashley was even getting himself a beer down at the bar and emerged for the second half to take his seat completely unscathed!
So the second half is back underway and we need to see a completely different Liverpool side in this half. Luckily, that's what we got right from the start. Was it an inspirational speech from Roy at halftime? Whatever it was it worked as Dirk Kuyt got Liverpool level in the 50th minute, the ideal start to the second half! The goal though a little fortunate was certainly welcome; a ball into the area came back off the hapless Sol Campbell and fell to Dirk Kuyt whose smashed shot deflected off Steven Taylor and past the helpless Tim Krul. It was nearly two a couple of minutes later but for a good save by Krul with his legs, another ball up over the top had caught out the Newcastle backline and Fernando Torres found himself in space but after a nice controlled touch he chose the wrong option and the keeper made the save.
Liverpool continued to push forward and were certainly much more threatening than they seemed in the first half. Newcastle were becoming increasingly on the back-foot and that was evident in their play as every opportunity they got they pumped the ball forward looking for their strikers. It was this non-agricultural approach that brought them back into the game, that and the addition of Niall Ranger for Shola Ameobi. Ranger was instantly a thorn in Liverpool's side and so very nearly put Newcastle back in front but his shot flashed across Reina's goal.
Liverpool's midfield showed flashes of improvement as they began to take control of the centre of the park but their job was made all the more difficult as Newcastle continued to hoof the ball upfield at every opportunity and it was one of these occasions that cost Liverpool dear. A Tim Krul freekick upfield was helped on by Andy Carroll and some sloppy defending by Martin Skrtel allowed Joey Barton to nip in and his shot went in off the post. Wouldn't you just know it? the only two scousers on the pitch and they've only both gone and scored for Newcastle! A couple of Liverpool subs didn't make much impact in the closing stages, Babel replaced the injured Ngog and Milan Jovanovic came on from Maxi Rodriguez but it was a losing battle that Liverpool were fighting a battle made all the worse when Andy Carroll blasted the home side 3-1 up a minute into stoppage time with a rasping drive that Reina stood no chance of stopping.
That was that. At the end of the day the best team won and that hurts. Newcastle were here for the taking today and all credit to them their steely performance masked what had been a very difficult week in the North East, all credit to them. Liverpool just didn't do enough to trouble Sol Campbell who was Newcastle's obvious weak link and Fernando Torres continued to struggle to display any of the qualities that made him into one of Europe's top strikers. The Reds' away form continues to be a worry and the sooner Steven Gerrard returns to fitness the better as it was evident on this occasion Liverpool miss his drive and determination when faced with adversity.
Man Of The Match :- 1. Dirk Kuyt 2. Raul Meireles . I've really struggled to name three so you're only getting two I'm afraid. Kuyt because he scored our only goal and Meireles because again he proved he's getting to grips with the Premiership but this is a result and performance overall I'd rather forget.
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