Fortunate Newcastle United avoided the frist defeat in Keegan’s last seven matches at the hands of West Ham, in a day where we were once again the poor side for the first 40 minutes.
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The home side had an early goal from Mark Noble before Dean Ashton added their second in the midway of first-half. But, the relieving Toon gaffer would have to thanks his African squad members after Martins and Geremi get us back in action in the last 2 minutes of first-half.
I also consider we’re the lucky side too when Uriah Rennie refused to award a penalty for the home team when the ball hit Michael Owen on the hand.
“I would sooner be a lucky manager than a good one,” Keegan said. “For me, Alex Ferguson is a very lucky manager, but unfortunately not today.”
It looks like Keegan will have to think any other possible options for our next fixture at home against Chelsea. To be honest, starting from our last week game against the mackems, we have been less impressive if not bad performance. Yesterday, Harper’s distribution was so bad, and forced Keegan to had Fraser Forster warming up after 25 minutes.
The 33 years-old stopper, although not being superior in distributions, have a decent save when he deny Ashton’s rasping shot 10 minutes from the end, while a last-ditch save by Green from Martins ends the second-half with no further goals from both team.
“I have never handled a player quite like Martins,” Keegan said after the match when asked his opinion about Martins, “He does fantastic things and he is more of a team player now.”
A draw means we have lost a great chance to climb up above Spurs after they also only have a draw against the bottom rock team Bolton Wanderers.
West Ham United:
Robert Green, John Pantsil, George McCartney, Lucas Neill (c), James Tomkins, Julien Faubert, Mark Noble, Scott Parker, Bobby Zamora, Dean Ashton
Subs: Nobby Solano, James Walker, Carlton Cole, Hayden Mullins, Luis Boa Morte
Newcastle United FC:
Steve Harper, Habib Beye, Jose Enrique, David Edgar, Steven Taylor, Nicky Butt, Geremi, Joey Barton, Oba Martins, Michael Owen (c), Mark Viduka
Subs: Fraser Forster, Damien Duff, Lamine Diatta, Alan Smith, Andy Carroll
Referee: Uriah Rennie
Attendance: 34, 980