A Little Bit Of History Changing

Kevin Kilbane scored a late deflected equaliser to give Hull a share of the points against Newcastle at the KC Stadium.

It had looked as though Newcastle were set to take home a third win from three this season after Adel Taarabt's second-half strike.

Kamel Ghilas had equalised a first half effort from Jonas Gutierrez, but it looked as though the points would be travelling back up the North East coast until Kilbane's late intervention.

It was a second good point in a row for the Tigers, who drew at Manchester United in midweek and provides a good platform from a tricky run of fixtures.

This was also the first meeting of the two since Newcastle stayed up on the final day in 2009 at Hull's expense, despite Hull taking four points off Newcastle during the campaign and even knocking the Magpies out of the FA Cup.

The visiting supporters arrived in fine voice mocking the circumstances of their team's survival and almost had more to cheer, but for a fine stop from Boaz Myhill to deny Mario Mandzukic.

Newcastle lost Danny Guthrie to an early injury, and almost lost their level status, only for Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink to fire over and former Magpie defender Abdoluaye Faye to see a header just skim the top of the bar on its way into the stand.

Hull then came even closer when Vennegoor of Hesselink rose to a cross with a powerful header, only to be denied by Tim Krul. Within moments of this, they duly fell behind.

A ball from the back by Ryan Taylor picked out substitute Kevin Nolan, who was able to hold the ball up before playing in Taarabt. The Moroccan was able to lay it off for Jonas, who advanced before picking his spot and kicking the ball into it.

Kamil Zayatte looked incensed as he felt the Argentine winger had strayed beyond the last man, but his one man protest couldn't inspire the referee changing his mind.

The Magpies were even closer to a second within the following moments, with William Kvist denied by Myhill and Steven Taylor heading over from the following corner.

Jimmy Bullard and Vennegoor of Hesselink both blew opportunities, while Nolan was similarly profligate at the other end of the pitch.

But just as the seconds ending the half were ticking past, the Tigers got level. Nathan Doyle played the ball down the flank for Bernard Mendy, who advanced and was able to cue the ball up for Ghilas. The striker was able to receive possession and place a firm shot beyond the grasp of Krul.

This inspired Hull fans, who felt their team could strike a decisive blow in the opening stages of the half, but to their surprise, Newcastle grabbed a goal of their own seven minutes into the second half.

Ryan Taylor was again allowed to go on an unchecked run with the ball down the right hand side, and he was able to play a forward pass for Mandzukic. The Croatian played in a good pass for Taarabt to run onto, where he proceeded to fire a strike past Myhill and into the corner.

Newcastle were close again moments later, when Joey Barton's superb curler struck a post and Myhill made a great rearguard stop to deny Jonas.

Myhill was still needed to make the stops, with the goalkeeper making a good double stop to deny Jonas and Ryan Taylor as Newcastle searched for a goal to kill the game off.

They thought they had it with 27 minutes to go when William Kvist turned home Jonas' cross, only for the Dane to be denied his first Newcastle goal by the offside flag.

A flying Myhill stop to deny Mandzukic was also required as Newcastle continued to look the likelier to find the net, and Sebastien Bassong headed over from the following corner as the pressure continued.

But Hull came close to surprising the visitors, when Craig Fagan burst free in the penalty box only to hit the post.

Myhill then had to be called upon to deny Taarabt as Hull looked to avoid being put out of the contest, and he was needed again moments later to make a flying stop to deny Ryan Taylor.

It looked as though Newcastle had run out of steam in their quest for a third, but it also looked like Hull would be unable to find an equaliser until they struck with 89 minutes on the clock.

A free-kick was awarded for a foul by Nolan on Dean Marney, which was flung in by substitute Andy Dawson. The free-kick was cleared back to the full-back, who was able to pass the ball along to Kilbane. His long-range effort travelled towards goal and went in via a deflection off Jose Enrique on the line.

Newcastle searched for a third goal but could not find in the closing stages of the contest, and were frustrated against the Tigers yet again.

But Hull will be delighted to have secured their first home Premier League point since returning to the top flight, and will be especially pleased to have secured it despite having been on the end of pressure for the most part of the contest.

Hull: Myhill - Doyle, Faye, Zayatte, Easton (Dawson 58) - Mendy, Boateng, Bullard (Marney 72), Kilbane - Vennegoor of Hesselink (Fagan 67), Ghilas
Subs not used: Walker, Diba, Jenner, Garcia
Booked: Faye, Boateng

Scorer: Ghilas (45+1), Kilbane (88)

Newcastle: Krul - Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Kvist (Edgar 70), Barton, Guthrie (Nolan 11), Jonas - Taarabt (Duff 88) - Mandzukic
Subs not used: Harper, Kadar, Ameobi, Carroll
Booked: Nolan

Scorer: Jonas (29), Taarabt (52)

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 25,404

An early goal from Mikkel Thygesen was enough for Newcastle to edge out Walsall in the Carling Cup second round.

A poor game at St. James' Park was ultimately settled by the Dane's second minute strike, although Newcastle fans will feel that the Premier League side could have given them more opportunities to cheer.

Ultimately, however, Sven-Goran Eriksson will be pleased to avoid an upset and have progressed into Round Three. It was disappointing though for Walsall, who managed no shots on target in the whole game and take a notable scalp.

The vital goal ultimately came within 120 seconds of kick-off. Alan Smith received a pass from the back and laid the ball off for Kevin Nolan, who played it up top to Andy Carroll. The giant Geordie striker played a low ball on the floor to Thygesen, who hit a crisp shot into the bottom corner.

Walsall almost stunned St. James' Park a few moments later when full back Netan Sansara hit a swerving free-kick that beat Steve Harper but hit the bar and went out.

By contrast, the closest the home crowd had to seeing a second saw Carroll head over.

For the most part, the visitors from the West Midlands were doing well to keep the much-changed Newcastle side quiet, but they were almost breached just shy of the half hour and it took a flying stop from away goalkeeper Joe Anyon to deny him.

Anyon also made a firm stop to deny Peter Lovenkrands, who also sent two efforts off target, and Kevin Nolan was also unable to turn a good solo run into a goal when he shot wide.

Walsall almost paid their hosts pay but blew their chance when Cillian Sherdian hit the post.

Sansara came close with another free-kick that went marginally off target, while Fabricio Coloccini was similarly inaccurate at the other end.

Despite the visitors hinting at promise, it was Anyon who was first into action in the second half, when the keeper made a flying stop to deny a piledriver from Smith.

However, neither side was able to create anything resembling an attack for vast swathes of the half.

Indeed, the game somehow managed half an hour without a clear cut opportunity. When one did come with only nine minutes to go, it was wasted by Mark Bradley.

Kazenga LuaLua wasted a chance late on to give Newcastle a second but in the end they did just enough to make progression, and will take on Manchester City in Round 3.

Newcastle: Harper - Ryan Taylor (Steven Taylor 53), Coloccini, Edgar, Kadar - Thygesen, Smith, Nolan (Barton 74), LuaLua (Duff 89) - Carroll, Lovenkrands
Subs not used: Krul, Tozer, Taarabt, Mandzukic
Booked: Nolan

Scorer: Thygesen (2)

Walsall: Anyon - Weston, Smith, Hughes, Sansara - Nicholls (Adomah 72), Taundrey, Bradley, Mattis, Richards - Sherdian
Subs not used: Beattie, Westlake, Grandison, Carlisle, Fernandez, Grigg

Referee: Andy Penn
Attendance: 31,280

Adel Taarabt scored the only goal as Newcastle squeezed past West Ham at St. James' Park.

The Moroccan's fourth goal in as many games since moving to the North East ultimately proved the difference in a closely-thought contest, and ensured Newcastle sit top of the league going into the international break.

This is in stark contrast to a West Ham side that are currently without a win in the Premier League this season, and defeat here will not help end speculation over manager Gianfranco Zola's future.

A largely poor Hammers side should have been down to ten men inside five minutes, when Radoslav Kovac somehow received only a booking for a reckless two-footed lunge on Newcastle's Steven Taylor.

The home team were creating chances but not taking them. A deflection took William Kvist's effort on target, while Sebastien Bassong was denied by Matt Murray at the resulting corner.

Kvist and Taylor both flung chances wide of the mark, and West Ham almost made them pay, only for Tim Krul to make a superb stop to deny Carlton Cole from close range.

A quiet half saw Newcastle have most of the ball, and they almost got reward with five minutes of the half remaining, when Mario Mandzukic saw a firm header rattle the bar and Kvist fire wide from the rebound.

Julien Faubert saw a free-kick deflected wide as West Ham then had some pressure, and Cole got close when his header struck the bar. He was certainly closer than the hapless Kovac, whose last act before his removal at half-time was to fire a rebound volley out for a Newcastle throw-in.

The opening part of the second half saw Newcastle angered by the referee, after Damien Duff was taken out in the area by Jonathan Spector and ended up requiring treatment on the sidelines.

Both sides were creating opportunities, but were failing to take them. Matt Murray had to make routine stops to deny Taarabt and Mandzukic, while Krul was on hand to deny Mark Noble and Jack Collison saw a strike deflected wide.

Newcastle then came very close to the advantage when Murray elected to punch away Jonas Gutierrez's strike and only last gasp defending from Matt Upson denied Andy Carroll a seemingly nailed on goal. Then, with their next attack, only a superb Murray stop denied Carroll's fizzing strike from finding the net.

But if it was a warning for the Hammers, they didn't heed it. Joey Barton found Carroll, who laid the ball off out wide for Jose Enrique. The Spanish full back's cross flew across the goal to Taarabt, who struck a superb first-time volley into the top corner.

Taarabt is continuing to provide vindication for the surprise move to bring him to St. James' Park after he was released by Spurs, and his fourth goal of the season was the vital breakthrough Newcastle needed.

Accuracy proved a problem for both teams, with Collison and Taylor both wasting chances.

But ultimately West Ham offered little response and could've fallen further behind in second-half stoppage time had Coloccini not headed over the bar.

It was poor from the Hammers, who must do better if they are going to avoid a relegation battle, and Zola looked visibly irritated at the end.

The home side, on the other hand, will be pleased with their night's work, and will be pleased to see their team occupy a lofty position, even at this early stage.

Newcastle: Krul - Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Jonas, Barton, Kvist, Duff (Carroll 60) - Taarabt (Ameobi 84) - Mandzukic (Edgar 90)
Subs not used: Harper, Kadar, Nolan, Thygesen
Booked: Jose Enrique

Scorer: Taarabt (67)

West Ham: Murray - Spector, Radoi (Tomkins 73), Upson, Ball - Kovac (Noble 45) - Faubert (Behrami 79), Collison - Parker - Cole, Diamanti
Subs not used: Bouzanis, Gabbidon, Cook, Zalayeta
Booked: Kovac

Referee: Phil Crossley
Attendance: 53,253

Superb Mario Mandzukic and Mikkel Thygesen strikes helped nine man Newcastle secure a surprise victory at Chelsea.

The Croatian hit a fine individual effort on the counter-attack early into the game, and then a flying long-range effort from Thygesen scored a second goal later in the first half.

Newcastle's second half was hit when they saw Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini both sent off but they held out during the final half an hour of play to secure their first victory at Stamford Bridge since 1986, and ensured a quick return to the top of the Premier League.

The Magpies arrived in London missing the injured Adel Taarabt and Joey Barton, but nevertheless the visitors secured the opening goal in the early stages. Thygesen cleared a corner out to Damien Duff, who sprayed a 40 yard ball forward up top to Mandzukic. The Croatian was one-on-one with John Obi Mikel, but ran rings around the Nigerian to reach the penalty box. He then rounded Petr Cech and scored a slick effort into the bottom corner to conclude a magnificent solo strike.

Didier Drogba missed an effort shortly after to equalise when he headed over, while Thygesen was similarly inaccurate at the other end of the pitch.

Cech had to make a straight forward stop to deny Mandzukic, but Dider Drogba and Demba Ba were both unable to get equalisers.

Chelsea were still having problems with accuracy, with Elano and Michael Ballack both unable to get strikes away as the Blues were unable place strikes on target.

A poor effort from Drogba then flew off target, while Ba was denied by Tim Krul as the home side had strong pressure. But then the visitors surprised their hosts with a second sucker-punch from 30 yards.

The ball was played out wide to Duff, who was able to keep the ball up for Jose Enrique. The Spanish full-back kept the ball moving down the left flank of the pitch before laying the ball off for Thygesen. The Danish midfielder then hit a magnificent curling strike from 30 yards into the top corner.

This took the sting out of Chelsea's attacking capability, with very little in the way of opportunities created as the half came to a close. The only real chances fell to Ba, who saw one denied by Krul and another land in the Shed End, as Chelsea knew they had to drastically improve for the second half.

Chelsea did have an early chance in the second half when Frank Lampard was denied by Krul, but they were presented a man advantage. Two silly challenges by Taylor on Drogba in the first six minutes of the second half duly earned him a red card six minutes into the second half.

Newcastle modified their system with Coloccini introduced instead of Jose Enrique and Duff being deployed at left back, and Chelsea almost came back into it when Deco was denied by Krul.

But ten minutes after his introduction, Coloccini's afternoon was ended. An awful challenge by the Argentine defender on Ba left the Senegal striker on a stretcher and Coloccini earning a dismissal, thus reducing Newcastle even further to nine men.

Deco then hit the side netting as Chelsea fans begun to sense that they had a window of opportunity back into the contest. A diving header from the Portugal midfielder was then denied by a wonderful Krul save, and Mikel saw two efforts fly off target as the Blues tried to search for the goal back.

But the nine men were holding firm, even after another defensive readjustment after Sebastien Bassong picked up an injury. This led to Jonas and Duff as full-backs, while an unorthodox centre back pairing of Danny Simpson and David Edgar was called upon to keep Chelsea out.

Chelsea were still not looking like scoring, with Deco hitting an effort off target and Ricardo Carvalho heading one effort straight at Krul as Newcastle dug deeper and deeper.

Krul was again equal to a flying strike from Deco, who had hit one wide a few moments earlier, while John Terry headed over and Frank Lampard hit one wide as Chelsea began to realise their efforts were going to go unrewarded.

Sure enough, they were and Chelsea will be fuming they did not do enough with their two man advantage, as the side ultimately failed to recover from two spectacular first half sucker punches.

Despite a return of their ill-discipline, Newcastle were nevertheless happy to secure a fine victory in London.

Chelsea: Cech - Bosingwa, Geromel (Carvalho 45), Terry, Cole - Mikel - Elano (Deco 51), Ballack - Lampard - Drogba, Ba (Anelka 61)
Subs not used: Hilario, Zhirkov, Buonanotte, Donovan
Booked: Bosingwa

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Bassong (Lovenkrands 73), Jose Enrique (Coloccini 52) - Jonas, Smith (Edgar 62), Thygesen, Duff - Nolan - Mandzukic
Subs not used: Harper, Kvist, Ameobi, Carroll
Booked: Steven Taylor, Jonas, Duff, Smith
Sent Off: Steven Taylor (51), Coloccini (61)

Scorer: Mandzukic (5), Thygesen (33)

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 40,907

Newcastle manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has said Fabricio Coloccini will spend time out of the first team following his second red card of the season.

The Argentine defender was one of two players dismissed during Newcastle's victory at Chelsea, but Coloccini has already been dismissed once this season after he was sent off during Newcastle's victory over Wolves in mid-August.

Eriksson has previously called for his team to improve their discipline, which saw them deliver ten red cards in all competitions last season, and has said players with multiple red cards can expect time out of the first team.

Following his offence, Eriksson said he will indeed spend time out of the first team.

He said: "Earlier this season, when we as a team met up, I said I would not tolerate another season of ill-discipline.

"If we are to finish as high as we can in the league, we cannot afford to continuously receive red cards, no matter what if we feel they are unwarranted or not.

"I said players that receive multiple red cards will have to spend time out of the first team so we can work on what the hell is going on. Fabricio's first red card against Wolves was harsh, but this was a stupid challenge today, and I think he will be taken out of the first team for a little while. He may come back at some point but for the moment, we will wait and see.

"Steven (Taylor, who was also dismissed) knows the score and if he receives another red card, he will be subject to a similar period out of first team duties. We cannot go on like this and at some point we have to address this issue."

Newcastle beat Chelsea 2-0 thanks to first half strikes from Mario Mandzukic and Mikkel Thygesen, despite the visitors only managing five efforts to Chelsea's 23, and Sven said he was very impressed with the strikes.

He said: "The stats will say Chelsea had more efforts but the fact is we defended very well, even with players missing. Plus ultimately the ball has to go in. We scored two beautiful goals that are goal of the month contenders, while Chelsea did not get past Tim Krul. Therefore, on that basis, we got a fine victory.

"We have made a good start to the campaign, and I am hopeful we can continue this."

You love red cards

Fantastic results! especialy with not eleven, not ten, but nine men!!

We're now up to 13 for the series, and having played a few months in advance, you can be safely assured there's still a few more red cards to follow.

I think I should be worried.

That was amazing - we had two centre backs dismissed, another injured, a right back in the middle of the back four and having to use wingers as full backs, so after all that I thought the last half hour would see Chelsea rip us to shreds. But apparently not.

Funny old game innit?

Shola Ameobi came off the bench to score the only goal as Newcastle survived yet another red card to see off Blackburn.

Newcastle's longest serving outfield player came off the bench to net the only goal of the game 13 minutes from the end of a niggly contest at St. James' Park to preserve the Magpies' unbeaten Premier League record and keep them top of the table.

But the Magpies' disciplinary problem reared its head again, with Jose Enrique shown a red card in second half stoppage time to blot the copybook on what had been a good afternoon.

Nevertheless, victory was still in the bag for the home team, who now have five wins from their opening six league games.

The home team had some of the early running, with David Edgar heading over from a free-kick.

Nicola Kalinic fired Blackburn's first chance over, while at the other end Paul Robinson made a decent stop to deny Jonas Gutierrez.

Despite the Magpies making the early running, Blackburn then began to keep their attackers quiet. They then began to construct a few opportunities as the half progressed only for Reid and Kalinic to miss them.

Newcastle were still closer, with Robinson making a slick stop to deny Mario Mandzukic and Edgar seeing a header fly a few inches over.

But Blackburn were still having chances, with Kalinic forcing a firm stop out of Tim Krul.

Alan Smith's search for a first Newcastle goal saw him blast one wide, while a decent Robinson stop denied Mandzukic.

Neither side however were close in the end of the half, and profligacy remained in the early stages of the second half as Robinson denied Jonas.

Mandzukic then fired into the crowd, while Christopher Samba was also unable to get his own header on target.

Robinson was able to make a decent stop to deny Tamas Kadar, and then a better one to deny Mandzukic as the home team began to turn the heat up on the away team.

The breakthrough then came soon enough. The ball was picked up by Mikkel Thygesen, who held the ball up for Joey Barton. His ball forward was collected by home sub Ameobi, who was unmarked and able to finish the strike home for his first goal of the Premier League season.

Robinson then denied Ameobi as Blackburn attempted not to fold and see their chances of a point fully disappear.

With second half injury time ongoing, Blackburn then got a further reprieve when Newcastle had yet another sending off. A foul by Jose Enrique on visiting sub Alan Judge was his second bookable offence, which had a follow up card as inevitable as it has been predictable for Newcastle recently.

Despite this, Blackburn were unable to find a way back into the affair and lost out yet again. Meanwhile, the Magpies remain top of the Premier League table as well as the table of poor discipline, and their status will give them confidence ahead of upcoming games with Arsenal and Manchester United.

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Edgar, Kadar, Jose Enrique - Jonas, Smith (Barton 45), Thygesen, Duff - Nolan (Ameobi 66) - Mandzukic (Ryan Taylor 90)
Subs not used: Harper, Tozer, Kvist, Carroll
Booked: Jose Enrique, Jonas, Smith, Nolan
Sent Off: Jose Enrique (90+2)

Scorer: Ameobi (77)

Blackburn: Robinson - Emerton, Samba, Nelsen, Givet - Grindheim, N'Zonzi (Khizanishvilli 84), Reid - Diouf, Kalinic (McCarthy 66), Gamst Pedersen (Judge 78)
Subs not used: van Fessem, Jacobsen, Pernia, Flynn
Booked: Samba, N'Zonzi

Referee: Lee Probert
Attendance: 54,437

An early strike from Carlos Tevez saw Manchester City edge out Newcastle in the Carling Cup Third Round.

The Argentine international grabbed an early strike inside the opening ten minutes to settle the game at St. James' Park, although in truth City had the majority of the ball and chances, and on another day could have had further strikes on target.

Nevertheless, Mark Hughes will be relieved to have avoided a banana skin against the Premier League leaders, as his team seek to win the trophy.

City had made the game's early running, and missed one early chance when Emmanuel Adebayor headed one wide. Even before the ten minute mark was out, City created another chance and made the most of it.

Stephen Ireland received a pass from the back and laid it off for Kolo Toure. The defender played it through for Tevez, who held off David Edgar before smashing a strike home from 25 yards.

Tevez then missed a strike from similar range, but Newcastle then almost surprised City with their first effort, which saw Adel Taarabt have a powerful shot tipped onto the post by ex-Magpie Shay Given.

City then returned to having control, but being unable to do much with it. Joleon Lescott and Robinho were both unable to direct headers on target, Darijo Srna saw a free-kick deflected narrowly wide, another Srna effort was denied by Steve Harper and Robinho sent the rebound into the side-netting.

Newcastle's best chance fell to Danny Simpson, who was first to a half-cleared corner but unable to keep his rebound on target.

City were still having the majority of chances but remained unable to do much with it, with Tevez and Ireland both missing efforts.

This trend continued when a chance eventually occurred in the second half, but it was wasted by Adebayor.

But for the St. James' Park crowd, their heroes' attempts to get back into the contest were proving frustrating, with the team providing little evidence of a return into the contest.

Knowing Newcastle were doing little to threaten them, City begun to take things easy, with the men from Manchester able to soak up Newcastle pressure without requiring to find another goal.

A poor second half saw what little chances created fall the way of the visitors, with Adebayor heading one over and Ireland denied by Harper.

Adebayor then wasted two more opportunities in second half added time, but City had done enough. The away men will feel they should have done more with their possession and opportunities, but progress to a Round Four tie against Birmingham City as they seek to prove the Arab billions are finally making an impact.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Edgar, Kadar - Kvist, Barton, Thygesen, Duff (Jonas 85) - Taarabt (Mandzukic 67) - Ameobi (Carroll 67)
Subs not used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Tozer, Nolan
Booked: Steven Taylor, Kadar, Barton

Man City: Given - Srna (Jovetic 88), Toure, Lescott, Bridge - Wright-Phillips (Barry 57), Ireland, de Jong, Robinho (Richards 72) - Adebayor, Tevez
Subs not used: Carrizo, Zabaleta, Onuoha, Gharbi

Scorer: Tevez (9)

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 56,387

Robin van Persie scored the only goal as Arsenal edged out Newcastle and ended the visitors' unbeaten record.

The Dutchman's strike 11 minutes from time was the only goal of the highly anticipated clash between a Gunners team aiming for a return to the Champions League and the previously-unbeaten Magpies.

This strike ultimately settled the contest between the two teams, which meant Arsenal went home avoiding a third defeat of the season, and instead inflicted a first Premier League defeat on Sven-Goran Eriksson's visitors.

The Magpies had begun the weekend top of the table, and had hoped the return of their top scorer Adel Taarabt would help them secure their first win away at Arsenal since 2001.

They did have the game's first opportunity when Mikkel Thygesen saw a fizzing free-kick well denied by Manuel Almunia.

But Arsenal then began curating a series of attempts to find a way through. They weren't having too much luck with it, with last-ditch defending from David Edgar denying van Persie from reaching an Andrey Arshavin cross, while Samir Nasri and Phillipe Senderos were both unable to find the target with efforts.

Much closer was Jakub Blaszczykowski, who sent in a strong half-volley that was well saved by Tim Krul.

Newcastle's Dutch goalkeeper was also on hand to deny Nasri, while William Gallas headed wide as the Gunners had the vast majority of opportunities and chance creation.

But with Arsenal racking up a series of missed opportunities, the home crowd began to feel paranoid of the sucker punch and it almost came when Taarabt was picked out and tried his luck with a chance that just touched the top of the bar on its way into the crowd.

Having survived that, Arsenal then began the second half continuing to be in charge. A swift curler from van Persie saw him just dab the top of the bar on the way over.

The game however soon ran out of steam, which allowed Newcastle firstly to neutralise Arsenal's attacking threat and then begin to construct a few attempts of their own.

A superb fingertip stop from Almunia denied Kevin Nolan when Newcastle broke through, and they were again unlucky when the goalkeeper denied Jonas Gutierrez.

But then, Arsenal constructed themselves a goal. A foul by Danny Simpson on Gael Clichy gave the hosts a free-kick, and the delivery was deflected off Joey Barton to van Persie, who tapped the ball beyond his compatriot Krul and into the goal.

The sight of the ball in the net sent the home crowd into raptures, and they almost had more to cheer moments later when Krul denied Alex Song a fine solo effort.

But the visitors provided a warning they were not out of it, with Mario Mandzukic playing in Thygesen only for the Dane to be denied by Almunia.

However, Arsenal were still creating chances. But they weren't taking them, with Cesc Fabregas and Tomas Rosicky wasting some decent chances.

The closest that they did get saw Eduardo head a poor effort straight at Krul.

The closest Newcastle came to a late equaliser came when Shola Ameobi cue up fellow sub William Kvist, who beat Almunia but could only see his effort dab the top of the bar on its way into the stands.

This was the end of the road for the Magpies, who return to the North East beaten in the league for the first time this season. By contrast, Arsenal will be relieved to have secured a good three point haul against tough opponents, and will be hopeful to build up their campaign from here.

Arsenal: Almunia - Sagna, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy - Nasri (Rosicky 70), Song, Fabregas - Blaszczykowski (Eduardo 77), van Persie, Arshavin
Subs not used: Fabianski, Eboue, Walcott, Bendtner, Vela
Booked: Fabregas

Scorer: van Persie (69)

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Edgar, Jose Enrique - Thygesen (Kvist 86), Barton, Nolan (Carroll 86), Jonas - Taarabt (Ameobi 78) - Mandzukic
Subs not used: Harper, Bassong, Kadar, Duff
Booked: Simpson, Steven Taylor, Nolan

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 60,361

A lone strike from Mikkel Thygesen was enough for Newcastle to edge out Manchester United.

The Dane's 14th minute effort ultimately decided an intriguingly tight contest at St. James' Park, and handed the home fans an instant tonic after defeat at Arsenal last weekend.

The result also means Newcastle keep second spot in the formative Premier League table, and also hands a first defeat of the Premier League campaign to Sir Alex Ferguson's visitors.

It was a much changed Red Devils side from the time that began their midweek Champions League draw with Celtic, but Ferguson looked to have sent his men out with the brief of securing victory at St. James' Park.

They made the early running with a powerful first-time effort from Wayne Rooney that was superbly denied by Tim Krul, and Newcastle's Dutch international goalkeeper then made an equally impressive stop to deny Rio Ferdinand from the corner.

But it was the Tyneside team with the opener. A Newcastle advance saw the ball make its way to ex-Red Devil Danny Simpson, who was able to play in Joey Barton. He was able to pick out Thygesen, who hit a low and powerful strike into the bottom corner.

The Dane, who won the September Goal of the Month for his spectacular strike at Chelsea a few weeks ago, showed off his impressive range of scoring achievements with another good strike here.

Newcastle were close moments after this when Damien Duff was picked out by Mario Mandzukic only to fail take advantage of the opportunity presented to him.

A poor opening half-hour for the away team then got worse when they lost Patrice Evra to injury, after the French full back went down and stayed down, and had to be removed from the field of play.

Despite this setback, the visitors still had an opportunity only for Dimitar Berbatov to fluff his lines.

Much closer was Kevin Nolan, with the Newcastle midfielder seeing a swerving effort punched away by Edwin van der Saar.

But Man United should've been level moments before half-time, with Krul making a flying stop to deny Ryan Giggs and Berbatov somehow wasting the rebound.

Although they would enter the half level, Newcastle fans wouldn't enter it that happy, with Mandzukic shown a yellow card for diving when he looked to have been fouled by Ferdinand.

Their mood was almost soured further, when Rooney was played clean through, only for the former Everton striker to dispatch his effort into the crowd.

Sebastien Bassong should've done better when he rose to meet Joey Barton's inswinging cross after the visitors had only half-cleared a corner, but Man United should have equalised when Berbatov picked up the ball only to somehow miss when it seemed easier to score.

John O'Shea then sent an effort wide, as did Simpson as both teams began to accumulate missed opportunities.

With a lull then occurring in proceedings, the away team were fuming when a hefty tackle from Barton left Rooney needing physio attention. This was punished with a yellow card, and not with the red cards that Newcastle seem to have a problem with receiving.

Giggs should've done better with a poor free-kick that sailed wide, while an effort from Duff was similarly inaccurate.

Closer then both was Rooney, but the England international's free-kick flew a smidgeon over the top and into the Gallowgate End.

Man United then felt a penalty should have been awarded for a challenge by Steven Taylor on Rooney, but they had to make do with the shot instead, only for Ji-Sung Park to get his strike over the top.

Jonas Gutierrez then blew two chances to wrap the game up late on, with his first deflected wide and his second halted by a fantastic stop from Edwin van der Saar.

But not even four minutes of second-half stoppage time could save them from slumping to a poor performance in defeat to the Magpies. This will suit the Magpies faithful, who were toasting a good success against the highly rated Red Devils as they seek to prove they can challenge for European football this season.

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Jonas, Barton, Nolan (Smith 70), Duff (Edgar 90) - Thygesen - Mandzukic (Carroll 82)
Subs not used: Harper, Ryan Taylor, Kvist, Ameobi
Booked: Nolan, Mandzukic

Scorer: Thygesen (14)

Manchester United: van der Saar - O'Shea (Brown 89), Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra (Evans 29) - Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs (Scholes 89) - Berbatov, Rooney
Subs not used: Foster, Hargreaves, Welbeck, Owen
Booked: Carrick

Referee: Stuart Tanner
Attendance: 56,387

Another good batch of updates buddy, good win over UNited too

Cheers

Hopefully we'll get a few more results like this one

Johan Elmander scored the only goal as Bolton picked up a shock victory at Newcastle.

The Swede's goal after 14 minutes of the contest, coupled with some extremely wasteful Newcastle finishing, ensured that the Lancashire club returned over the Pennines with three points - their first on the road this season.

Although not quite as surprising as their 2-0 victory with nine men at St. James' Park in February, it now means that Bolton have won four games in a row against the Magpies, and also ends their unbeaten home record this season.

It was also a huge anti-climax for a sell-out crowd, who had been buoyed by victory over Manchester United last weekend and by a great start to the season for Sven-Goran Eriksson's Magpies team.

The fans had entered St. James' Park hopeful of another victory, but after a quiet opening, it was Bolton who struck home with the game's first opportunity.

A flowing move down the left flank saw Ricardo Gardner exchange a one-two with Paul Robinson before sending a smooth ball down the empty right flank to Elmander. The Swede got in ahead of both Newcastle centre-backs before firing a curling strike beyond Tim Krul into the top corner.

Bolton then blew further chances to make it two, with Sean Davis denied by Krul and Sam Ricketts seeing a flying effort narrowly fly over the top.

Newcastle's first real chance came after 28 minutes, but it was a close shave for the visitors, as Jussi Jaaskelainen made a brilliant save to deny Jonas Gutierrez.

Sensing a potential onslaught, Bolton closed ranks and duly began to stifle Newcastle's attacking instincts.

When Newcastle eventually began to pile on pressure, Jaaskelainen was able to deny dangerous crosses from William Kvist and Mario Mandzukic from finding teammates, before Adel Taarabt fired an effort into the crowd.

The Magpies thought they then should've had a penalty when Jonas went down under Ricketts' challenge, but the referee spotted a dive and booked the Argentine winger for simulation.

Despite his misdemeanors at the end of the first half, it was Jonas with Newcastle's first second half opportunity, and his flying effort forced a good stop out of the Bolton goalkeeper.

Jaaskelainen was not done there either, with the Finn making a superb stop to deny and hold onto Mandzukic's swerving strike.

But although Newcastle had the majority of the ball and repeatedly got into situations for a potential goal, the final killer ball was lacking. It then almost got worse when Bolton made a rare venture forward, but Kevin Davies couldn't keep his header below the crossbar.

With his last contribution before being subbed off, Taarabt blasted a strike waywardly over as Newcastle's frustration saw them begin to ratchet up a series of cheap bookings instead of shots.

Bolton almost sealed it when Fabrice Muamba saw a drive narrowly fly wide, while similarly inaccurate was Andy Carroll, as the Newcastle sub saw his header fly over and out.

But then the goalscorer came even closer to doubling his and Bolton's tally in style, with a superb Elmander volley forcing an equally impressive stop out of Krul.

Shola Ameobi then wasted two late chances as Newcastle ran out of ideas and, ultimately, time. A first home league defeat of the season will have been of great frustration to the home crowd and management, while Bolton will be gleeful to finally have that away win and to have secured it at the most unexpected of venues.

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique (LuaLua 85) - Thygesen, Barton, Kvist (Ameobi 45), Jonas - Taarabt (Carroll 71) - Mandzukic
Subs not used: Harper, Kadar, Edgar, Smith
Booked: Jose Enrique, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jonas, Barton, Mandzukic

Bolton: Jaaskelainen - Ricketts (Steinsson 45), O'Brien, Dervite, Robinson - Poulsen, Muamba, Basham, Davis (Davies 45), Gardner - Elmander
Subs not used: al-Habsi, Shittu, Hunt, Samuel, Abdessaki
Booked: Muamba

Scorer: Elmander (14)

Referee: Lee Probert
Attendance: 56,387

Forgot I had this... it got side-tracked because I forgot the login details of my Imageshack account when looking to post up a league table, and since then I've lost the game disk and got caught up in the fun or otherwise of the real world.

Should be back up and running soon enough.

*blows off cobwebs*

When I said "we shall soon be back up and running" I don't think I meant four months later, although losing the disc and getting caught up in dissertations... not so helpful. With any luck we will be back next week as I do wanna keep going for a bit with this one.

Yup, we're back after our false dawns. After Christmas, essays, a university dissertation, returning to the PS3 games after a few years, driving lessons and four tests, losing my FM10 game disc, forgetting all about it until this week and ordering a new FM10 disc, we're back in business.

When I last played this, I was 12 Premier League games ahead, and was 2nd before the defeat by Bolton that constituted my last update in this game series. However we've not done so well in them, winning only four Premier League games as we tumbled down the Premier League table. We've also won an FA Cup tie, with our 3rd Round tie being a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.

The results I played before the forced hiatus were:
Liverpool (A) 0-0 draw
Birmingham (H) 3-0 win
Sheffield United (A) 1-0 defeat
Bristol City (H) 4-2 win
Fulham (A) 3-0 defeat
Burnley (H) 1-0 win
Spurs (A) 2-0 defeat
Man City (H) 2-1 defeat
Sunderland (A) 2-0 win
Everton (H) 2-0 defeat
Aston Villa (H) 0-0 draw
Nottingham Forest (H) 2-0 win (FA Cup)
Hull City (H) 2-2 draw

EDIT: I have also made two new signings, bringing in Billy Jones from Preston for £2million and youth trainee Liam Henderson on a freebie.

Jonas Gutierrez scored the only goal as Newcastle beat West Ham at Upton Park to secure their first win in 2011.

The Magpies secured their first victory since winning the Tyne Wear Derby on December 19th by virtue of the Argentine winger's strike on the half-hour mark, with West Ham doing very little to trouble Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul despite the Hammers registering more shots on goal.

It was disappointment for Hammers' manager Gary Johnson, whose team had been unbeaten in six encounters and done well to take a share of the points off Manchester United at Old Trafford in the midweek fixtures.

The pre-match expectation had been higher at Upton Park, with the Hammers fans expectant of victory against a Toon Army side that had not had the best of recent form.

But Newcastle did start the encounter as the stronger of the two teams, with Andy Carroll rising to meet Jonas' cross only to head the ball into the stand, before Damien Duff saw an effort cleared off the line by Mark Noble and Sebastien Bassong headed wide of the mark.

Home goalkeeper Rob Green was then called into action to deny Jonas after the Argentine had raced onto Mario Mandzukic's intricate through pass.

It took 17 minutes for the Hammers to force an opportunity and it was not one the home fans would have waited for, with Dean Ashton blasting a free-kick into the stand.

The game then settled into a comparative lull, but the balance of play tilted in the Magpies' favour with the opening goal on the half-hour mark. A sprightly cut inside from Damien Duff found Joey Barton, who laid it off for Danny Guthrie. The former Liverpool midfielder's through-ball spliced through the defence and cued up Jonas, who fired the ball beyond Green. A fine finish for the Argentine international, who hadn't scored since dispatching a strike for the Magpies against Sunderland in their pre-Christmas derby success.

It could have been worse for the Hammers moments after had Guthrie not skied his effort. But the game's tempo was hit by injuries to players on both sides, with both team's physios getting call outs, although neither Duff, Mark Noble nor Scott Parker was sufficiently injured for their removal from the field.

West Ham came close to breaking down a firm Newcastle blockade in first half stoppage time, but Noble's header was a smidgeon too high.

The best opportunity that the Hammers had presented to them in the whole encounter came shortly into the second half, which came through Paul Scharner. The former Wigan defender rose highest to meet Noble's outswinging corner when his firm header was tipped onto the post by Tim Krul and cleared by the Newcastle defence.

Matt Upson wasted a header from a following corner as the Hammers fans begun to anticipate a turning up of the heat, but the best the hosts could manage was a deflected Noble free-kick that landed wide of the mark.

A flying stop from Krul to deny James Tomkins woke up a steadily deflating crowd and came close to restoring parity, but soon enough, Newcastle's defence begun to take the sting out of the encounter with some very competent defensive work.

It was almost worse for the West Ham faithful late on when they were almost caught by the counter. A counter-attack saw Guthrie play a superb through-ball to the substitute Adel Taarabt, and only a great stop from Green denied the Moroccan from killing the game off.

Some dicey moments in added time aside, Newcastle held on to ensure they would be leaving East London three points richer, and a superb display from the Magpies - particularly in defence - helped them hold on to their first half single goal advantage.

West Ham fans were not quite amused, as their recent unbeaten streak ended and the team remain locked in mid-table, although even the most pessimistic Hammers fan will concede will admit its an improvement from being stuck in the relegation battle earlier in the campaign.

West Ham: Green - Faubert (Tomkins 62), Scharner, Upson, Radoi, Ball (Spector 45) - Noble, Parker, Collison - Ashton, Diamanti (Cole 62)
Subs not used: Murray, Franks, Dyer, Stanislas
Booked: Collison

Newcastle: Krul - Jones, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Jonas, Guthrie, Barton, Duff (Kvist 88) - Mandzukic, Carroll (Taarabt 69)
Subs not used: Begovic, Coloccini, Kadar, Thygesen, Ameobi

Scorer: Jonas (30)

Referee: Stuart Attwell
Attendance: 33,494

Never thought this would be back at the top of the career pile, glad you returned to this!

I was always going to return. I just put it on hiatus while I finished uni then couldn't find the disc. But now I'm done with uni for good and have a shiny new copy after deciding it may have been accidentally thrown out.

I hope to get this to real life and compare it with NUFC's season by season. So as its now January 2011 in game, that's 3 1/2 seasons to go.

First half strikes from Jonas Gutierrez and Adel Taarabt helped Newcastle see off Chelsea and reignite their Champions League aspirations.

A second half goal from substitute Mario Mandzukic helped the Magpies climb above the West Londoners in the Premier League title race and pull themselves into the race for a top four position. This turnaround has certainly helped right the wrongs for the Magpies, who had fallen away after a positive contest.

Chelsea did get a late goal back after full back Billy Jones unintentionally put the ball past Tim Krul, on a day where the West Londoners had dominated by were woefully inept with their shooting virtually all afternoon.

The result returns Chelsea to their recent poor form, with the elation of beating Manchester United in their last encounter soured by the fact they have now failed to win the four previous Premier League encounters.

Those fans who made the long trip north from West London to the North East had hoped to see this victory inspire them, but they were on the back foot very early on.

After concentrated early pressure, Newcastle took five minutes to open the scoring. Damien Duff was able to advance down the flank with ease before cueing the ball inside to Andy Carroll, who held off John Terry before sliding a pass to Jonas. The winger cut inside before delicately placing the strike beyond Petr Cech. A second goal in as many matches for the former Mallorca striker, which gave a capacity crowd some early delight.

Chelsea's best early opportunity fell to Frank Lampard, but the midfielder's hit was lashed horribly off target. The same failure to make pressure work came when Elano's corner was cleared with Demba Ba and Didier Drogba lurking, and it failed to get any better for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

A poor clearance from Jose Bosingwa was picked up by Jose Enrique, who advanced and play a crisp ball on the floor to Duff. The former Chelsea winger's fizzing cross picked out Adel Taarabt, who collected the ball, composed himself and dispatched it into the bottom corner.

Newcastle fans were certainly enjoying what they were seeing. By contrast, Chelsea were flat and it took them until after the goal back for the Blues to have their first real concrete attempts at a way back into the contest. It came when Drogba saw an effort deflected off target, and Germoel's strike from Elano's following corner forced a firm stop out of Tim Krul.

A fairly woeful attempt from Michael Essien saw Chelsea get even more wayward in their attempt to get back into the contest, and a miserable first half continued when Elano limped off injured.

The only thing that would've made the first half worse for the travelling supporters would have been a third Newcastle goal, and they almost got it when Steven Taylor met Danny Guthrie's cross only to head it over.

The visitors begun the second half with more chances accumulated, but were fairly woeful at making the most of them, with Ba and Essien both inept at getting them on target, nevermind beyond Krul.

The young Newcastle keeper was tested when he made a decent stop to deny Branislav Ivanovic, before Essien duly sent another strike into the crowd.

After a half largely spent enjoying the bulk of play, Chelsea almost halved Newcastle's advantage when Drogba rose to meet a cross only to head it over the bar. But they were almost sent tumbling out of the contest for good when Cech made a superb stop to deny the newly arrived sub Mandzukic.

But with 11 minutes remaining of the contest, Newcastle killed the game off for good. It came when Barton received a pass in the middle of the park and played it forward for Taarabt. The lovingly weighted through ball picked out Mandzukic, who raced beyond the Chelsea back four before slotting the ball into the bottom corner to seal the game and the impressive-looking victory in Newcastle's favour.

Chelsea were still having pressure and duly registered their place on the scoresheet with seven minutes to play. Substitute Daniel Sturridge picked up Essien's superb pass and opted to strike on the half-volley. His strike was landing wide of the mark, but a touch from recent Newcastle buy Jones landed in the bottom corner.

It was an unfortunate end to Newcastle's clean sheet, but it was way too late for Chelsea to get back in and the hosts almost restored their three goal advantage when Mandzukic let fly, but couldn't get it on target.

Nevertheless, it was a delightful afternoon for the home faithful, who saw their heroes secure a comprehensive victory against their European place rivals and in comprehensive style.

Newcastle: Krul - Jones, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Jonas, Barton, Guthrie (Thygesen 83), Duff (Ameobi 83) - Taarabt - Carroll (Mandzukic 63)
Subs not used: Begovic, Coloccini, Kadar, Kvist
Booked: Steven Taylor, Barton, Guthrie, Taarabt

Scorer: Jonas (5), Taarabt (21), Mandzukic (79)

Chelsea: Cech - Bosingwa, Geromel (Deco 68), Terry, Cole (Sturridge 80) - Cork - Lampard, Essien - Elano (Ivanovic 45) - Ba, Drogba
Subs not used: Delac, Zhirkov, Stoch, Donovan
Booked: Cork, Essien

Scorer: Jones (og 83)

Referee: Lee Probert
Attendance: 56,387

Mario Mandzukic grabbed a late winner as Newcastle beat Wolves at Molineux.

It had looked like the two teams would share the spoils after Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's strike cancelled out Andy Carroll's first half effort. But with minutes remaining on the clock

The result continues Newcastle's recent upturn in results, and keeps them in contention for the Champions League places, while Wolves missed the chance to move into a top half spot.

The home side entered this contest having without a league defeat since being beaten by West Ham in early December, and had made the early ground running. Steven Mouyokolo was picked out twice by Michael Kightly free-kicks that had been given away in generous positions by Newcastle, but on both occasions, the centre-back headed way over the top.

Wolves' best chance fell after 12 minutes, when Tal Ben-Haim rose to meet David Jones' flag-kick and saw his effort cleared off the line by Newcastle full back Jose Enrique.

Wolves were still having the majority of the play and half-chances, with Ebanks-Blake getting away after receiving a through ball only to be unable to find the target.

Newcastle's first real chance came shortly after the half-hour mark. But it was also the first time in the encounter one of the goalkeepers was required, with Wayne Hennessey making a flying stop to deny Carroll.

The Welsh international keeper then made another save to giant Newcastle number 9, and was also able to deny Damien Duff, although the Irishman was offside.

David Jones and Stefan Maierhofer wasted chances late on in the first half to give the home side a first half advantage, but Mick McCarthy was obviously not happy with his team's first half performance as he opted to make a triple substitution at half-time.

The visitors made a half-time chance of their own, with Mandzukic replacing the anonymous Adel Taarabt, and the Croatian had the first real chance of the second half. The striker was the beneficiary of Carroll's superb through ball and his lashed effort was denied by Hennessey.

Newcastle began to accumulate chances in the early stages of the second half. Only a sliding intervention from Ben-Haim denied Carroll a clear shooting chance, while Duff blasted one wide.

It was the visitors who took the lead just after the hour. Billy Jones laid the ball forward for Joey Barton, who was able to tee it up for Danny Guthrie. The midfielder played a lovely through ball for Carroll, who evaded Ben-Haim and fired a strike into the bottom corner. The giant Geordie number 9 ending a goal drought stretching back to the Tyne-Wear Derby on December 19th, and it handed his team the advantage.

While stung by that, Wolves almost had instant parity, with Ebanks-Blake hitting a long ranger that flew past Tim Krul but touched the top of the crossbar on its way into the stands.

Krul was then called upon moments later as he tipped Stephen Hunt's cross-shot into touch. The Magpies then came close to killing the game off, but a defensive intervention from Ronald Zubar denied Mandzukic, before a second chance for the Croatian landed in the crowd.

With 18 minutes to play, Wolves were back on level terms. A firm 25 yard ball forward from Greg Halford picked out Maierhofer, who advanced and then made a pass. He found Ebanks-Blake, and his strike partner was able to place a firm ball beyond Krul and into the back of the net. A simple goal in some ways, but effective and the home crowd suddenly sensed they were back in a chance of picking up another 3 points.

After Halford's harmless free-kick sailed wide, they came very close to it. No Newcastle defender picked up Nenad Milijas and the Serbian international had a go. His dipping strike was only kept out by a superb tip onto the crossbar from Krul.

The Dutchman between the posts for Newcastle then made another stop to deny Ebanks-Blake, followed by a decent catch to deny Maierhofer, as the Wolves fans howled in hopes for victory.

But when the game's third goal rolled around, it came for the visitors. A Newcastle counterattack began with a firm pass down the flank from Jose Enrique that played in Jonas Gutierrez, whose pinpoint ball released Mandzukic. The Croatian's collection saw him race free of the Wolves backline before he picked his spot and found it. A second goal in as many appearances from the bench for Newcastle's striker, who is finally beginning to rediscover some of the form that saw him score 20 Premier League goals last season.

Wolves' best chance for anything out of the encounter fell to Maierhofer, but his header harmlessly floated over. It was a tough defeat to take for home crowd after their heroes had lots of chances to take something against their opponents, but they were vanquished and McCarthy will presumably be hoping for better when they take on Bristol City in eight days time.

By contrast, the visitors were very happy with their third Premier League victory in a row. Its a result that keeps them in the mix for the Champions League places, and manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will presumably be hoping their run can continue.

Wolves: Hennessey - Stearman (Halford 45), Ben-Haim, Mouyokolo (Zubar 45), Elokobi - Kightly, David Jones (Milijas 45), Randall, Hunt - Maierhofer, Ebanks-Blake
Subs not used: Dudek, Edwards, Jarvis, Keogh

Scorer: Ebanks-Blake (72)

Newcastle: Krul - Billy Jones, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Jonas, Barton, Guthrie, Duff (Thygesen 79) - Taarabt (Mandzukic 45) - Carroll (Coloccini 88)
Subs not used: Begovic, Kadar, Kvist, Ameobi
Booked: Barton

Referee: Mike Jones
Attendance: 28,308

Valeri Bojinov scored two goals as Fulham dumped ten man Newcastle out of the FA Cup at St James' Park.

The two strikes in the last quarter hour added to an earlier Diomansy Kamara goal as the West London-based strugglers ran riot at the Champions League-chasing Magpies. Newcastle's familiar discipline problems were also prevalent, as Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor were both sent off.

Despite the fact he rested most of his first choice team, home manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was clearly unhappy at the way his team collapsed in this encounter, and he failed to show for his post-match press conference, instead sending his assistant Alan Shearer.

The Cottagers were almost in front on Tyneside inside the opening three minutes, but Bojinov's strike didn't trouble Asmir Begovic.

Newcastle's first chance was similarly inaccurate. Mario Mandzukic had scored in the Magpies' previous two Premier League games, but he was unable to make it three games in a row with his first chance as his long-ranger flew into the Leazes End.

Fulham were beginning to have the better of a fairly poor encounter, and they were the first side to call a goalkeeper into action, as Begovic was on hand to make a superb stop to deny Bojinov the game's opening goal.

A series of half-chances and missed corners were the nearest the two teams came to creating chances, although Newcastle did come close when Mandzukic was played through and forced a stop out of Steve Simonsen.

Begovic was then also required to make a stop, with the Bosnian making the save to deny Kamara after the striker had been played through.

Newcastle's game plans were then disrupted when they were reduced to ten men four minutes before half-time. Coloccini had already been booked for one foul on Bojinov, and a second foul on the Bulgarian was enough for referee Mike Dean to dismiss the Argentinean, who now has five red cards in the last year and a half.

Fulham took until after half-time to begin to probe the gap left by the missing man. A flying strike from Danny Murphy yielded a stop from Begovic, and moments later, the Londoners did have an advantage.

Zoltan Gera won the ball off Shola Ameobi and played it to Paul Konchesky, who threaded through a lovely through ball for Bojinov. The Bulgarian then cued up his strike partner Kamara, whose half-volley crashed home to give Fulham the advantage on Tyneside.

It was almost two within 60 seconds of the restart, with the ball landing for Clint Dempsey only for the American's vicious strike to land closer to the corner flag than the top corner of the net.

Newcastle's best half-chance saw William Kvist fire wide from Mandzukic's lay-off, and the home team fell further behind moments later.

Bojinov won the free-kick for a foul by Steven Taylor, and his powerful drive landed home. An impressive flight of the ball for the striker who struggled at Manchester City, and is now beginning to look at home in the Premier League.

Things then got even worse for Newcastle. First, another Steven Taylor foul - this time on Bobby Zamora - yielded a second sending off and before Newcastle could re-group, they were three down. A fine pass forward from Dempsey picking out Bojinov, who strode forward and then lashed a powerful drive into the top corner.

Two superb strikes in ten minutes for the Bulgarian, which had rubber-stamped Fulham's progression into the fifth round beyond any reasonable doubt.

It was a horrible afternoon for the home fans, who booed their team off at the final whistle, and it could have been worse, but neither Dempsey nor Konchesky could make the humiliation even worse with late opportunities.

By contrast, Fulham were in dreamland, and having been taken to a replay by Peterborough United in the previous round, the visitors were delighted with their substantially smoother progression this time around.

Newcastle: Begovic - Simpson, Coloccini, Edgar, Jose Enrique - Thygesen (Bassong 83), Smith, Kvist, Duff (Steven Taylor 42) - Mandzukic, Ameobi (Jonas 74)
Subs not used: Krul, Barton, Taarabt, Carroll
Booked: Coloccini, Smith, Steven Taylor
Sent Off: Coloccini (41), Steven Taylor (73)

Fulham: Simonsen - Pantsil, Bramble, Hangeland, Hughes - Gera, Dempsey, Etuhu (Murphy 41), Konchesky - Kamara (Zamora 70), Bojinov
Subs not used: Vaughan, Davidson
Booked: Bramble, Kamara

Scorer: Kamara (53), Bojinov (64, 74)

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 39,796

Newcastle manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has said he is unhappy at the amount of red cards his team collects.

The Magpies had two players sent off during their FA Cup Fourth Round defeat by Fulham at St. James' Park, with Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor.picking up their 3rd red cards of the season each.

The two were Newcastle's sixth and seventh red cards of the season, with the team having picked up nine Premier League red cards lat season, and eight in the 2008/09 season.

With another FA fine for their poor discipline likely, Eriksson has admitted the club cannot continue their discipline problems.

He said, "There is clearly an issue of discipline at this club right now, and I don't know why that is.

"I like the fact we have a combative nature to us as it shows we are always up for winning these games, but maybe it is time to rein it in. As Saturday's game demonstrated, the sending offs are seriously detrimental to our chances of winning games, and it is a major problem.

"It is likely we will have to go for exclusions from the first team for times as frankly, this is just crazy."

Eriksson was speaking ahead of Newcastle's next match, which takes place tomorrow night away at Blackburn Rovers. The Magpies manager confirmed he is likely to start Billy Jones at centre-back alongside Sebastien Bassong, with either Danny Simpson or Ryan Taylor starting at right back.

With the January transfer window closing on Monday, Newcastle's manager was asked if he wants to sign a new player.

He said, "We are looking for new players. We always are. But we only want to sign the right player for the right place and if we give other teams the sensation we're panicking, we're going to struggle the right targets.

"We will most likely be changing parts of our squad in the summer. There's probably going to be changes and we have targets in mind we'll try for in the summer, but right now, while one or two players are of interest, this playing squad is good enough for the moment unless the right player is available."

Morten Gamst Pedersen scored an 83rd minute winner as Blackburn came from behind to beat Newcastle at Ewood Park.

Newcastle had taken the lead just after half time through Mario Mandzukic and had looked as though they may hold on to register their fourth Premier League victory in a row.

But former Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce was able to get the victory against his former employers, courtesy of strikes for Steven Reid and then Gamst Pedersen.

It was a very satisfying result for the Blackburn faithful, who saw their heroes win a game for the first time since beating Aston Villa on January 12th.

Newcastle arrived in Lancashire on the back of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson's latest call for his team to improve discipline, after the team saw two players sent off during an FA Cup defeat by Fulham at the weekend.

His team showed little offensive threat early on. Neither did Blackburn, with Rovers talking 13 minutes to fashion the game's first real opportunity. It eventually fell to Reid, who saw a firm header beat Tim Krul but not the crossbar. Brett Emerton led penalty appeals, arguing Jose Enrique had illegally prevented him from reaching the rebound to Reid's header, but the referee was not interested.

Alan Judge saw an effort ripple the side-netting and Reid had a swerving strike tipped onto the bar by Krul as Blackburn applied most of the early pressure.

Gael Givet hit a strike high and wide as Blackburn continued to look likelier to find the net, but Newcastle's first effort was even closer, with Mandzukic seeing a venomous drive beaten out by Paul Robinson.

Robinson was then on hand to make an even better save to deny Adel Taarabt as the Magpies began to accumulate pressure and possession.

The visitors went close again in the first half stoppage time, with Robinson making a flying stop to deny Joey Barton.

Newcastle continued the second half as the team enjoying the best of the play, and they went close again when Taarabt hit one wide. But their next attack was the one that yielded the game's opening goal.

A crisp pass forward by Ryan Taylor was collected by Mikkel Thygesen, who opted to play a direct 45 yard ball. The Dane's pass was received by Mandzukic, who evaded the Rovers' backline and buried it home. A further semblance of the Croatian's return to form, with this seeing him strike for the third Premier League game in a row.

Blackburn were very close to an instant reply, but Krul was equal to Mariano Pernia's effort and was able to stand and watch Reid's strike fly beyond his post.

The home side thought a penalty should have been given after a challenge in the box by Ryan Taylor on Benni McCarthy, but the referee ignored it and let play continue, which ended in Gamst Pedersen being denied by Krul.

With time running out, it looked as though it would take either a slip or a special to get Blackburn level, and they duly got both in one go. Crossed wires saw Barton and Taarabt go for the same ball, which allowed Zurab Khizanishvili to pick up the ball and lay it off for Reid. The Irishman nipped in ahead of Ryan Taylor and smacked a firm strike from the edge of the penalty box into the top corner. A superb strike for the Irish midfielder, which landed home to end the visitor's advantage.

From Blackburn's next attack, they took the lead. Jose Enrique had the ball taken off him by El-Hadji Diouf, and ran free of the full-back before flying in a cross. Gamst Pedersen beat Ryan Taylor to the ball and sent a firm header beyond the flailing Krul.

Newcastle threw on Shola Ameobi and sent player after player forward, but the only chance they could muster was a Joey Barton effort deflected wide of the mark, and they were sent to defeat.

It was a first Premier League defeat for the Magpies since a home defeat by Everton on Boxing Day, and a first on the road in almost two months, but it was still a defeat and Newcastle will have to re-group ahead of games against Arsenal and Manchester United.

The victory was vital for Rovers, as it allows the Lancashire side to put some daylight between themselves and the relegation zone with a number of relegation six-pointers looming on the horizon.

Blackburn: Robinson - Jacobsen (Diouf 58), Khizanishvili, Givet (Andrews 41), Pernia - Emerton, Judge, Reid, Gamst Pedersen - Ketelaer (Colina 45) - McCarthy
Subs not used: Brown, Pulhac, Kalinic, Hoilett

Scorer: Reid (76), Gamst Pedersen (83)

Newcastle: Krul - Ryan Taylor, Jones, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Thygesen, Barton, Guthrie (Ameobi 85), Jonas (Duff 77) - Taarabt (Kvist 77) - Mandzukic
Subs not used: Krul, Guthrie, Wilshere, Duff
Booked: Barton

Scorer: Mandzukic (52)

Referee: Peter Oakley
Attendance: 24,888

Defences and goalkeepers were the stars of the show as Newcastle and Arsenal had a goalless draw.

Neither team's attack did much to show why they should have won, with Samir Nasri's disallowed goal the closest either team got to victory.

Home debutant Asmir Begovic and away custodian Manuel Almunia rarely if ever troubled, and the result does little to bolster either side's Champions League credentials, with Newcastle's attack damaged by a first half injury to Mario Mandzukic and Arsenal's attack profligate no matter how many variations Arsene Wenger tried.

The Gunners may have fancied their chances with Newcastle's regular goalkeeper Tim Krul, who has kept 11 clean sheets so far this season, ruled out of the contest with a sprained ankle he sustained in training in midweek.

Despite his last game seeing him concede three goals to Fulham in the FA Cup, Begovic was preferred to Steve Harper as the replacement for the Dutchman.

It took seven minutes for Arsenal to have the ball in the net, after Nasri received Robin van Persie's superb through-pass and slotted beyond Begovic. But before the ball had landed home, the assistant referee had already flagged offside against the French winger and despite protestations led by Gael Clichy, the goal did not stand.

A mid-tempo game struggled for chances, with the two teams registering more bookings, fouls and knocks than chances, let alone goals.

Newcastle's attack suffered a set-back following an injury to Mandzukic, with what home manager Sven-Goran Eriksson later confirmed to be a groin strain.

Fresh from his own recent injury, Adel Taarabt was introduced as the replacement, and came close to getting the game's opening goal when he picked up Andy Carroll's through-ball and forced the diving save out of Almunia.

But that really was it for a dreary first half yielded very little for either goalkeeper to be overly concerned with, and saw more bookings to concern the referee than anything.

The second half looked likely to continue in the same manner, but Arsenal came mighty close just after half-time. Theo Walcott took advantage of Jose Enrique's hesitation when he was first to Cesc Fabregas' corner and his venomous drive cannoned off the post before bouncing clear.

Also coming close was Danny Guthrie, who fired narrowly over as Newcastle tried to make some of their pressure count.

Wayward shooting seemed to be the order of the day when chances turned up, with van Persie lashing an effort into the Gallowgate End when well placed.

Newcastle then appealed for a penalty after Bacary Sagna appeared to take out Carroll, but the referee opted not to give a Newcastle throw-in rather than a 12-yard spot kick.

Almunia was then called upon and was more than up to the task, with the goalkeeper making a flying stop to deny Guthrie.

It was then Arsenal's turn to appeal in vain for a spot-kick, with Mike Dean deciding Jose Enrique had stopped van Persie's run legally. Either side of that, there were two chances presented to Arsenal sub Jakub Blaszczykowski, who saw his first strike superbly beaten away by Begovic and his other one hopelessly off target.

When Sebastien Bassong's wild intervention from Denilson's cross landed wide rather than in the goal, the crowd was beginning to sense that there would be no goals in this encounter. But the chance of the game fell to the Magpies on 86 minutes, with a brilliant pass from Jonas Gutierrez releasing Carroll. The Newcastle number 9 hit a powerful effort that looked for all the world a goal until Almunia pulled off a magnificent stop.

That proved to be it for action of any variety, and in truth, both sides bought fairly impotent attacks to the party, with neither side providing justification for why they should be three pointers richer. Certainly, on this evidence, both of these two teams look like they're short of incisive firepower to sustain a European challenge.

Newcastle: Begovic - Ryan Taylor, Jones, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Jonas, Barton, Guthrie, Duff (Thygesen 77) - Mandzukic (Taarabt 34), Carroll
Subs not used: Harper, Edgar, Simpson, Smith, Ameobi
Booked: Jose Enrique, Bassong, Barton, Duff

Arsenal: Almunia - Sagna, Senderos, Vermaelen, Clichy - Diaby, Fabregas, Denilson - Walcott (Blaszczykowski 62), van Persie (Eduardo 79), Nasri (Arshavin 62)
Subs not used: Fabianski, Eboue, Gibbs, Rosicky
Booked: Song, Fabregas, Denilson

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 53,303

A late strike from Wayne Rooney saw ten man Manchester United brush off a Newcastle comeback and take three points at Old Trafford.

The game had looked like a comfortable victory for Sir Alex Ferguson's side after first half strikes from Owen Hargreaves and Rooney gave them a two goal lead.

But after Hargeaves was sent off just before half-time, Newcastle were able to mount a comeback and they drew level, courtesy of strikes from Adel Taarabt and Sebastien Bassong.

However, the home side won this battle of outside contenders for the top four when Rooney took his opportunity in the final five minutes.

It was just the tonic Manchester United needed after a midweek defeat at Bolton, and stands them in good stead ahead of their Champions League tie with Inter Milan in Italy later this week.

Their thoughts of a return to victory pre-game would have been helped by Newcastle's historically poor form at Old Trafford. Their last win in this corner of Manchester came in 1972, and the home side were on the front foot early on.

Moments after Joey Barton escaped with a clumsy looking tackle on Filipe, Zoran Tosic saw an effort land just wide, while Rooney and John O'Shea saw efforts fall short of the mark.

But the first keeper to be forced into action was home custodian Edwin van der Saar. His save was a fairly routine one to deny Danny Guthrie's long range effort.

Having ridden out that, Manchester United's next attack yielded the game's opening goal. A clumsy foul by Taarabt on Michael Carrick was penalised with the award of a free-kick, and Hargreaves' powerful drive went over the wall and beyond Asmir Begovic.

It was a fine strike to open the goalscoring for the home crowd, and things were almost even better for them moments later, when Rooney broke free but could only hit the post when superbly placed.

The England striker wasn't waiting long for a chance to come around. Manchester United won a corner after Filipe's cross-shot was tipped away by Begovic, and from Tosic's short corner, Adam Ljajic cued up a cross for Rooney, who buried the ball into the bottom corner.

At this point, it looked as though a routine victory was set for the home side's taking, with some even perhaps daydreaming of a scoreline to rival the 6-0 Manchester United registered against Newcastle in January 2008.

But the Magpies came very close to making the contest interesting, with a mazy Damien Duff solo run yielding a firm strike that van der Saar did well to stop.

Newcastle thought they had bought themselves back into the contest when Taarabt was hit by a Guthrie piledriver and the ball landed in the back of the net. But the assistant referee controversially ruled the Moroccan attacking midfielder to be offside, much to his visible irritation.

It was then the host's turn to have a goal chalked off, with Rooney ruled offside before he was able to convert Carrick's through ball into a goal.

The first half's first real blemish for the hosts then saw Hargreaves dismissed, with the midfielder earning quickfire bookings for fouls on Taarabt and Barton. The decision was booed by the home faithful, although a red card has been a familiar sight in Newcastle games in the last few years - the Magpies have had 22 sending offs in the last three seasons.

With the visitors now having a man advantage, Taarabt almost bought them back into the game just after half-time only to fire the ball off target.

Childhood Newcastle fan Dimitar Berbatov has been through a prolonged goal drought of late and almost ended it when he sent in a chipped free-kick, but he put it off target.

Despite the disadvantage, the home team almost put the game out of Newcastle's reach, with Begovic making a superb stop to deny Rooney.

Newcastle were still in sight, and they came close when a good ball from Taarabt cued up Duff, only for the Irishman to hit the side netting.

Some away fans were beginning to sense it wouldn't be there day, which was a foreboding that increased when Taarabt saw an effort deflected wide, but they halved the deficit with 19 minutes to go.

A long clearance from Bassong picked out Duff, who cut inside before playing in Carroll. The Newcastle striker laid the ball off for Taarabt, who hit a firm strike that zipped along the turf and into the bottom corner.

A first goal in a month for Newcastle's top scorer, and it had bought his team back into contention, although had Berbatov found the net rather than the corner flag, the hosts could have put the game to bed.

The Magpies sensed a chance to get back into proceedings and duly took it. Jose Enrique's cross was only cleared for a corner, and Duff's corner picked out Bassong, who beat Nani to the ball and fired home.

A first goal of the season for the Cameroon international defender, which had succeeded in bringing the visitors back on level terms and suddenly sensing the chance to make a claim for the three points.

Manchester United were the team that looked likelier to secure the points, but the shooting accuracy of Berbatov and Patrice Evra was dreadful.

However, it was the hosts who scored the game's fifth goal. Darren Fletcher advanced and laid the ball off for Carrick, who cued up Rooney. The striker brushed through the offside trap and picked his spot before putting the ball into the bottom corner.

Newcastle appealed in vain for offside, but they were back behind after doing so well to get back into the contest.

The Magpies were then even more annoyed with the officials moments later when it seemed as though Carrick had fouled Jonas Gutierrez, but the referee ignored Newcastle's appeals, and David Edgar could only head over from the resulting corner.

Manchester United were able to ride out injury time despite their man advantage, as they took the three points and with it a stride towards retaining their top four spot at the expense of a team that also still has aspirations of taking a coveted top four slot.

Man United: van der Saar - O'Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Filipe (Fletcher 43) - Ljajic (Nani 45), Hargreaves, Carrick, Tosic (Evra 51) - Berbatov, Rooney
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Cahill, Diouf, Welbeck
Booked: Hargreaves
Sent Off: Hargreaves (43)

Scorer: Rooney (pen 58, 78), Welbeck (90+2)

Newcastle: Krul - Ryan Taylor (Simpson 45), Jones (Edgar 45), Bassong, Jose Enrique - Jonas, Barton, Guthrie (Ameobi 86), Duff - Taarabt - Carroll
Subs not used: Harper, Smith, Thygesen, Lovenkrands
Booked: Duff, Guthrie, Edgar

Scorer: Taarabt (71), Bassong (75)

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 73,421

Peter Lovenkrands and Damien Duff grabbed their first goals of the season as Newcastle thrashed Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

The visitors had taken the lead through Shola Ameobi's first goal of 2011, but had a very goal-heavy second half, with strikes for Duff, Jonas Gutierrez and Lovenkrands helping the visitors rack up their biggest win of the season.

It was a bad result for Bolton, who remain in relegation trouble and have been involved in a series of tricky fixtures including clashes against Arsenal and the two Manchester clubs, and have games against the two Merseyside teams to come.

Bolton had won their previous four encounters with the Geordies but despite some limited early pressure, they fell behind inside the opening quarter of an hour.

Duff's initial delivery was only half-cleared to former Bolton loanee Danny Guthrie, who flicked the ball on to Jonas. The Argentine advanced and laid the ball off for Ameobi, who hit a powerful volley into the top corner.

The goal was Ameobi's first since scoring against Birmingham City on October 30th, as his team looked to have a happier afternoon on the west side of the Pennines following recent defeats at nearby Manchester United and Blackburn.

Newcastle were then very close to a quickfire second as Danny Simpson weaved a great ball for Jonas, only for Jussi Jaaskelainen to pull off an outstanding stop.

A superb defensive intervention from Danny Shittu denied Andy Carroll from taking Newcastle's only other chance of normal time in a largely sedate first half, while Ricardo Gardner could only blast Bolton's best chance into the crowd.

Newcastle were presented a chance in first half stoppage time and were very close to taking it, with Carroll's goal bound header superbly tipped out for a corner by Jaaskelainen.

Bolton did have a chance just after half-time when Sean Davis advanced and had a crack but he could only blast his shot into the crowd, and things got worse for his team moments later.

It could have been worse even earlier had former Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien not deflected Carroll's effort wide and the team made the most of a surprisingly lackluster corner. But the Magpies did score on 53 when Carroll was able to hold the ball up and pass to Jose Enrique. The Spanish full back's direct pass teed up Duff, who ran with the ball and smashed it home.

A first goal of the season for the man whose goal on the final day in May 2009 kept his team in the Premier League, and something to help his bargaining position with his contract set to expire are the end of the current season.

Bolton were close to halving the deficit after kick-off when Johan Elmander received a chance only to blast it hopelessly off target, and his team duly fell a further goal behind.

A neat passing move saw Carroll lay the ball off for Joey Barton, who played a crisp pass to Jonas. A one-two with Guthrie set the Argentine winger free, and he duly buried his chance. The man in form of late for Newcastle was delighted with another goal to his tally, and it surely ensured Newcastle would be returning to the North East with an additional three points.

But Newcastle still looking hungry for more, with Jaaskelainen making a flying stop to deny Jonas and Sebastien Bassong heading over at the resulting corner.

Fabrice Muamba headed an effort over the top as Bolton fans began to depart early, and those who remained saw Jaaskelainen called upon again as he denied Duff.

Chris Basham and Mustapha Riga had opportunities to claw a goal back but wasted them, and Newcastle duly extended the margin of victory in the final two minutes of normal time.

They had come close when Mario Mandzukic headed over when well placed, but they had their goal through his fellow sub Lovenkrands. A one-two between Newcastle's two central midfielders released Guthrie, who was able to advance and hit a pin-point ball that flew beyond Gretar Steinsson to Lovenkrands, who slotted home for his first Premier League goal since May 2009.

Bolton's first real chances of the whole game came in second half stoppage time, with Asmir Begovic making superb stops to deny Elmander and Riga, but in truth, Bolton did little to even justify a place on the scoresheet, nevermind any quantity of the points.

By contrast, it was a superb victory for Newcastle, and it keeps up their European aspirations despite the games in hand many of the teams around them have.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen - Steinsson, Shittu, Radzkov (O'Brien 45), Ricketts (Riga 54) - Abdessadki (Robinson 45), McCann, Muamba, Basham, Davis, Gardner - Elmander
Subs not used: Al-Habsi, Hunt, Matt Taylor, Knight
Booked: Davis

Newcastle: Begovic - Simpson, Edgar, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Jonas, Barton, Guthrie, Duff (Ryan Taylor 89) - Ameobi (Mandzukic 83), Carroll (Lovenkrands 83)
Subs not used: Harper, Steven Taylor, Jones, Smith
Booked: Ryan Taylor, Coloccini, Barton

Scorer: Ameobi (15), Duff (54), Jonas (58), Lovenkrands (88)

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 19,666

Fernando Torres scored the equaliser as Liverpool came from two goals down to draw with Newcastle.

Newcastle did take a two goal lead against the title-chasing Reds, with Sebastien Bassong and Andy Carroll strikes giving the home side a two goal advantage and seeming to give their Champions League aspirations life.

But an own goal by Asmir Begovic gave Liverpool hope and Torres was able to provide Liverpool parity, but neither side could then find a winner and the points were shared.

In truth, a point does little to help either side's relative aspirations, and both sides will be hoping for better in their respective next games after an entertaining encounter in the North East.

The game had been earmarked by many as one of the more entertaining encounters, and with title rivals Manchester City and Spurs both winning, Liverpool were really in requirement of three points.

The visitors were presented the game's first real chances, but Torres sent both his headed efforts high into the stand rather than the back of the net.

Carroll was closer to finding the back of the net when presented with an opportunity to head the ball, but his effort skimmed the top of the bar on its way into the stands.

A volley from Carroll a few minutes later was way off target, but Pepe Reina was called upon moments later to make a flying stop to deny Jonas Gutierrez.

Newcastle were beginning to develop control over the clash, with Danny Simpson seeing a strike just go wide and Reina make another good save - this time to deny Carroll after Begovic's long goal kick had reached the giant Newcastle striker.

It was the Magpies who got the opening goal, and from a set-piece. After Jamie Carragher could only head Ryan Taylor's corner behind, the full back's corner picked out Bassong, who got in ahead of Steven Gerrard to place the ball into the top corner.

A good goal from the Cameroon international, who scored against Manchester United a few weeks earlier, and it finally meant Newcastle pressure was reflected by the scoresheet.

Liverpool had been frustrated by the home defensive quadrant, and were almost two down moments later, with a parried save from Reina denying Shola Ameobi.

But having ridden out that, Liverpool thought they should have had a penalty for a challenge by Jose Enrique on Ryan Babel, which the referee ignored - partly as Babel was able to get a shot away, which landed wide.

Liverpool's first real shot on target came just before half-time, but the flying stop from Asmir Begovic was able to deny Gerrard's piledriver.

Rafael Benitez introduced Dirk Kuyt at half-time and changed to a 4-4-2, but the chance backfired as Newcastle got a second goal.

A poor clearance by Lucas was intercepted by Jonas, who ran down the flank and sent in a teasing cross. The rising Carroll met it unmarked and duly buried the ball into the bottom corner.

A first home goal of 2011 for the Newcastle number 9, who was clearly delighted in scoring in front of his home fans and increasing his burgeoning reputation.

Having been relatively untroubled, it looked as though Newcastle were heading towards three points, but they let Liverpool back into it thanks to a calamity of errors.

It seemed as though the danger had been dealt with when Bassong was first to Javier Mascherano's cross, but Bassong and Begovic kept getting in one another's way and before long the ball was in the back of the net.

Replays showed the final touch came off the Bosnian goalkeeper, but both parties dealt with the ball ineptly and under minimal pressure from Liverpool attackers. It certainly will have annoyed Sven-Goran Eriksson his team gave their opponents such a cheap way back into the contest.

Shortly after came a habitual part of Newcastle games this season, as Joey Barton was handed his 15th yellow card of the campaign, which will give him a 3 game ban starting from next weekend's trip to Birmingham City.

Liverpool almost scored two in three minutes after Torres was played through and raced past David Edgar, but Begovic pulled off the superb stop.

Newcastle almost regained their two goal cushion when Adel Taarabt received Carroll's knockdown, but the Moroccan's first touch saw him wildly fire the ball into the Gallowgate End.

The miss proved crucial. A crisp pass forward from Kuyt released Torres, who outstripped Bassong for pace and raced through towards the goal. His crisp powerful strike left Begovic helpless and ensured the Spanish international finally had a goal to show for his efforts.

Four minutes later, Liverpool almost managed a complete turnaround. Gerrard was able to nip in ahead of Edgar to meet Torres' knock back and hit a powerful effort that left Begovic grasping at air, but he hit the crossbar rather than the net.

Martin Skrtel was then presented with a chance but could only hit the ball into the stands, and a long range pildedriver from Gerrard could only ruffle the side netting.

Newcastle's best chance of restoring their advantage was ended by a superb Skrtel intervention to deny Carroll a free run on goal, and in the end the referee blew the whistle to signify a sharing of the points.

The two teams were certainly showing the best sides of their attack, although Newcastle will be irritated at how a poor defensive mistake allowed their opponents to get back into the game when they had seemingly sewn the contest up.

Its a point that does little to help their respective aspirations, but does ensure they remain in the hunt for their goals as the season enters its final straight.

Newcastle: Begovic - Simpson (Mandzukic 84), Edgar, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Ryan Taylor, Barton, Guthrie (Thygesen 77), Jonas - Ameobi (Taarabt 61), Carroll (Lovenkrands 35)
Subs not used: Harper, Steven Taylor, Jones, Lovenkrands
Booked: Simpson, Barton, Jonas

Scorer: Bassong (26), Carroll (48)

Liverpool: Reina - Carragher, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Insua - Mascherano, Lucas - Benayoun (Kuyt 45), Gerrard, Babel (Riera 66) - Torres
Subs not used: Cavaliera, Dossena, Aquliani, Luis Jimenez, N'Gog
Booked: Mascherano

Scorer: Begovic (og 54), Torres (70)

Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 55,949