After shocking lost in Pride Park by the bottom team in EPL, The Magpies regained their rhythm to play their best football by defeating the “on-fire” team West Ham United by convincing score 3-1.
Come to SJP with high passion due to two strike wins, Alan Curbishley’s team start the game carelessly, they failed to hold Viduka’s goal in early minutes.
First goal of our beloved team started when The Magpies’ attack sliced the right side defense of the hammers.
James Milner won the ball possession after struggle toward West Ham right defender and pass the ball back to overlapping Zoggy with excellent centering cross in the first time. N’Zogbia received the pass before left footed the ball to find Viduka’s head.
In air dogfight duel with Anton Ferdinand, Vid won the ball and rave the cross ball from Zogbia with accurate header that succeed in beating Scott Green. 1-0
The Magpies reducing the pressure after lead 1-0 which give the opportunity to improve their game, they keep push the tempo.
Using twin tower of its striker (Cole and Ashton) with Bowyer as 2nd liner shooter, West Ham keep fighting to break Magpies’ stronghold.
We must give credits to Harper’s performance, he save many shoots from the hammer players especially the raging man Lee Bowyer who wants to humiliate his ex-club in their home through frequent dangerous shoots and headers from 2nd line. Until the game ended, he failed to do that thanks to Harper.
West Ham response succeed in 32 minutes when Carlton Cole flick header using NUFC temporary untidy defense found Ashton, and he welcome the ball with half volley spin kick straight fast into the Magpies’ goal to make it 1-1.
Big Sam showed its capability as manager in breaking time, evidently by NUFC uprising play in 2nd half, never stop to attack the Hammers side through both sides.
Both Newcastle’s wing back did the overlapping so well to support the midfielder. Beye looks very skillful on the right, while N’Zogbia was in full pace on the left.
Another great cross by Zogbia aid Viduka to score his 2nd goal, this time was by short accurate cross kissing the ground. Viduka just have to slide to push the ball with his knee and got his second goal in 41 minutes.
In second-half, Alan Curbishley try to respond the situation by injecting Hendry Camara to the field, he substitutes Carlton Cole, but his efforts was come to zero result when Zog bia finally scored the third Newcastle goal courtesy of the assist from Martins in front the Hammer’ goal.
Actually Martins have a wide chance to add our lead by 4-1 after he defeated the hammer center-back Lucas Neil by stolen the ball in front of hammers’ 16m box before rounding Green. Martins’ shot side-netting from a narrow angle.
Great play by all Newcastle players in general, although cacapa made one blunder that very dangerous. Special performances once again by N’Zogbia, Viduka and Harper. Solid defense also – unlucky for Owen his groin injured return to service.
After today’s game, we will fly to Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal in Carling Cup 3rd round. Another tough away fixtures for Newcastle, but if we can maintain today’s solid performance, we can hope something good out there.
HOWAY THE LADS!
Team Line-Up:
Newcastle United:
Steve Harper, Habib Beye, Caçapa (Steven Taylor – 78min), David Rozehnal, Charles N’Zogbia, Alan Smith, Geremi, Nicky Butt, James Milner, Michael Owen (Oba Martins – 51min), Mark Viduka.
Subs: Shay Given, Jose Enrique, Abdoulaye Faye
West Ham United:
Robert Green, Lucas Neill, Anton Ferdinand, Matthew Upson, George McCartney, Lee Bowyer, Hayden Mullins (Freddie Ljungberg – 62min), Mark Noble, Matt Etherington (Jonathan Spector – 79min), Carlton Cole (Henri Camara – 68min), Dean Ashton.
Subs: James Collins, Richard Wright
Referee: Mike Riley
Attendance: 50, 104