It was the same old problems for Newcastle with defensive lapses and little creativity in midfield. We should of won the game with Viduka superb individual goal, but as in the past a total lack of concentration at the back allowed Julio (The Mackem) Arca to get an equaliser.
It was Newcastle who started off the better with Martins blasting a chance over and Alan Smith having a shot blocked early on. The magpies started with the same team for the 3rd game running playing the Big Sam 4-3-3 formation. Then the injury crisis started again, Steven Carr limping off probably of the fact he would have to chase Downing all day, bringing on Ramage who is simply not a fullback. Newcastle deservedly took the lead with a brilliant goal from makeshift left-back Charles N’Zogbia who came inside and hit an unstoppable shot with his right foot into the far right-hand corner to make it 1-0 to the delight of Newcastle Owner Mike Ashley attending his first game wearing a Black & White top obviously proving a point to the cockney press that he isn’t about to sell up as was widely reported. But that was as good as it got 1st half with Boro coming back within 6 minutes, and through pass to Mido who was suspiciously off-side evaded the poor attempt of Steven Taylor to stop him rounding Steve Harper with ease and slotting into the net, who promptly started Taunting the away following and rightly got booked. Then it was all Boro for the rest of the 1st half with Steve Harper producing couple of good stops.
Boro started off where they finished 1st half on top with Fabio Rochemback looking particularly impressive, but lacking any goal attempts. Then Peter Ramage went off with a horrendous injury, which looked like knee ligament damage who was replaced by the impressive Cacapa. Newcastle’s midfield were certainly looking weak with no creativity and link up with the 3 forwards upfront. Then they switched to a 4-4-2 formation which then started to see Newcastle get back into the game and for a 15 minute period it was all Newcastle with us creating a few opportunity’s and then Viduka scored a great goal, a cross into the box which he controlled held of woodgate and smashed into the bottom corner which we thought had won us the game. Then another defensive lapse with a Boro corner being cleared only to the free Julio Arca who then smashed it right into the bottom corner. But then we should of won it again with Michael Owen having an excellent opportunity to score his first goal in 20 months but he failed to connect with the cross. So 2-2 it finished.
Verdict: Slightly disappointing performance and result, the 4-3-3 formation is not working without Joey Barton in midfield, with the return of a fully fit Michael Owen will surely see a 4-4-2 formation with him and Viduka up top and with Enrique playing his first game v Barnsley on Wednesday that gives the option of playing Charlie on the left of midfield. But we are still unbeaten and a win against Titus and co will make it 8 points from 4 games, which will be our best start for 7 seasons, which isn’t too bad. Note about Boro fans, these fans are the worst in the country, these are the fans who call this a derby match and then don’t bother turning up, they moan and groan about how the club is run, despite having a fantastic chairman who saved their skins by investing huge amounts of his own personal money simply DISGRACEFUL.
Man of the Match: No one really stood-out but again Milner was probably our best performer, who put in a couple of decent ball’s and general work rate was excellent.
Newcastle: Harper, Carr (Ramage 6), Taylor, Rozehnal, N'Zogbia, Butt, Geremi, Smith, Milner, Martins (Owen 72), Viduka, Ramage (Cacapa 58).
Subs Not Used: Given, Ameobi.
Booked: Butt, Milner, Smith.
Goals: N'Zogbia 22, Viduka 77.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Taylor, Boateng (Cattermole 83), Rochemback, Arca, Downing, Mido, Aliadiere (Sanli 73).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Lee, Hines.
Booked: Mido, Woodgate, Young, Wheater, Rochemback, Sanli.
Goals: Mido 28, Arca 80.
Att: 28,875
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
It was Newcastle who started off the better with Martins blasting a chance over and Alan Smith having a shot blocked early on. The magpies started with the same team for the 3rd game running playing the Big Sam 4-3-3 formation. Then the injury crisis started again, Steven Carr limping off probably of the fact he would have to chase Downing all day, bringing on Ramage who is simply not a fullback. Newcastle deservedly took the lead with a brilliant goal from makeshift left-back Charles N’Zogbia who came inside and hit an unstoppable shot with his right foot into the far right-hand corner to make it 1-0 to the delight of Newcastle Owner Mike Ashley attending his first game wearing a Black & White top obviously proving a point to the cockney press that he isn’t about to sell up as was widely reported. But that was as good as it got 1st half with Boro coming back within 6 minutes, and through pass to Mido who was suspiciously off-side evaded the poor attempt of Steven Taylor to stop him rounding Steve Harper with ease and slotting into the net, who promptly started Taunting the away following and rightly got booked. Then it was all Boro for the rest of the 1st half with Steve Harper producing couple of good stops.
Boro started off where they finished 1st half on top with Fabio Rochemback looking particularly impressive, but lacking any goal attempts. Then Peter Ramage went off with a horrendous injury, which looked like knee ligament damage who was replaced by the impressive Cacapa. Newcastle’s midfield were certainly looking weak with no creativity and link up with the 3 forwards upfront. Then they switched to a 4-4-2 formation which then started to see Newcastle get back into the game and for a 15 minute period it was all Newcastle with us creating a few opportunity’s and then Viduka scored a great goal, a cross into the box which he controlled held of woodgate and smashed into the bottom corner which we thought had won us the game. Then another defensive lapse with a Boro corner being cleared only to the free Julio Arca who then smashed it right into the bottom corner. But then we should of won it again with Michael Owen having an excellent opportunity to score his first goal in 20 months but he failed to connect with the cross. So 2-2 it finished.
Verdict: Slightly disappointing performance and result, the 4-3-3 formation is not working without Joey Barton in midfield, with the return of a fully fit Michael Owen will surely see a 4-4-2 formation with him and Viduka up top and with Enrique playing his first game v Barnsley on Wednesday that gives the option of playing Charlie on the left of midfield. But we are still unbeaten and a win against Titus and co will make it 8 points from 4 games, which will be our best start for 7 seasons, which isn’t too bad. Note about Boro fans, these fans are the worst in the country, these are the fans who call this a derby match and then don’t bother turning up, they moan and groan about how the club is run, despite having a fantastic chairman who saved their skins by investing huge amounts of his own personal money simply DISGRACEFUL.
Man of the Match: No one really stood-out but again Milner was probably our best performer, who put in a couple of decent ball’s and general work rate was excellent.
Newcastle: Harper, Carr (Ramage 6), Taylor, Rozehnal, N'Zogbia, Butt, Geremi, Smith, Milner, Martins (Owen 72), Viduka, Ramage (Cacapa 58).
Subs Not Used: Given, Ameobi.
Booked: Butt, Milner, Smith.
Goals: N'Zogbia 22, Viduka 77.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Woodgate, Wheater, Taylor, Boateng (Cattermole 83), Rochemback, Arca, Downing, Mido, Aliadiere (Sanli 73).
Subs Not Used: Jones, Lee, Hines.
Booked: Mido, Woodgate, Young, Wheater, Rochemback, Sanli.
Goals: Mido 28, Arca 80.
Att: 28,875
Ref: Mike Dean (Wirral).
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