Number 1 - Comments

Went to the Earls Court Arctic Monkeys gig last night. It was largely good, and the AM stuff was particularly good, although it could've been better - poor acoustics and some baffling song choices meant it just fell short of the O2 gig on the last tour.

Newcastle manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has said he is frustrated the club's takeover is halting his transfer market plans.

The Swede, 63 next month, has said the players are happy to cope during the uncertainty, but that he is annoyed the slow pace is hampering his transfer market plans.

Eriksson said: "As players and manager, we have to keep going. We do not mind this because we cannot let it dictate how we do things on the pitch.

"On a day-to-day business its fine. Its more annoying in the terms of the transfer market, however. We have transfer targets and we were hoping to make progress on them, but now we cannot because the terms of the takeover mean we cannot make purchases.

"Its a very annoying procedure but we'll just have to get on with it."

It is believed Eriksson was referring to the breakdown of a move for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson, after takeover talk halted plans to bring the winger to St. James' Park.

Johnson looks set to move to Championship leaders Sheffield United later this week.

Eriksson was speaking ahead of Newcastle's trip to Milton Keynes Dons in the FA Cup Fourth Round tomorrow, and denied his team had a discipline problem but conceded changes might have to be made.

He said: "People are a bit eager to say that we do not believe in discipline and are too happy to accumulate bookings.

"I disagree. Players don't go out seeking to earn cards but we just keep getting them. I'm not sure what it is and I think it is something for all of us here to consider tweaking for the remaining matches of the season."

Wolves secured a comprehensive victory over Newcastle on a day when both sides lost their discipline.

Both teams finished with ten men, while referee Steve Bennett would eventually showed 14 yellow cards, including second yellow cards for Joey Barton and Karl Henry.

It is likely both teams will face FA charges for failing to control their players, while the result will increase speculation Newcastle have problems controlling their players after their fifth red card of the campaign.

On the pitch, Martin Olsson's first Wolves goal and an Andy Keogh strike gave Wolves a two goal lead. A late David Jones penalty then made the result secure, and was Wolves' joint-best result of the league season.

Newcastle arrived with neither of their principal strikeforce playing, with Andy Carroll injured and Mario Mandzukic relegated to the bench after recent poor form.

Despite this, the Magpies had the game's first chances, with Kevin Nolan seeing a long range effort go wide and Wayne Hennessey then made a decent stop to deny Shola Ameobi.

A feisty game saw the two teams accumulate more cards than chances, with Stefan Maierhofer, Greg Halford and Karl Henry all earning quick bookings for the home team shortly after Tamas Kadar had been cautioned for the visitors.

What chances that were being accumulated went Newcastle's way, with Nolan seeing a free-kick just go wide. But despite this, Wolves' first opportunity yielded the game's first goal.

A quick Halford throw-in was passed on by Nenad Milijas back to the former Reading and Sunderland full-back. His cross picked out Olsson, who rose free of Danny Simpson to bury a powerful header beyond Steve Harper.

It was the Swedish full-back's first goal since his summer transfer to Molineux from Blackburn, and the joy was there for all to see.

Stung by this, Newcastle searched for an equaliser and they almost got it when Ameobi collected the ball and sent in a powerful volley that Hennessey just kept out of goal.

The Welsh goalkeeper was also required to deny a firm volley from Ameobi, but having rode out the pressure, Wolves began searching for their second.

Milijas saw one effort held by Harper before Christophe Berra headed over, but five minutes before half-time, Mick McCarthy and his team were celebrating their second.

Steven Taylor allowed himself to be caught in possession by Henry, who played a marvelous ball for Keogh to run onto. The striker was soon one-on-one with Harper, and buried with aplomb to secure their opening goal.

Newcastle were still creating chances. Hennessey made a simple stop to deny Peter Lovenkrands and was then called upon again, where he made a good stop to deny Ameobi.

The second half however saw the pendulum swing in the other direction. Harper had to make a very good save to deny Halford's free-kick, while Milijas saw an attempted curler land just wide.

Milijas was pulling the strings but saw a tame effort easily held by Harper, but Wolves looked comfortable and soon enough their position was aided when Newcastle were reduced to ten men.

Barton was already on a booking after a foul on Keogh, and he duly earned his dismissal with just over 25 minutes to go when he made an unnecessary tackle on Stefan Maierhofer. This second offence was enough to earn the combative midfielder his marching orders.

Despite this, Newcastle were still earning silly yellow cards, with Steven Taylor, Simpson and Danny Guthrie all earning bookings. But it was Wolves who would have the next player to earn two yellows.

Henry had taken few risks after his first half booking, but the combative midfielder fouled Ameobi illegally, which duly saw him handed a second yellow card and his own dismissal.

Undeterred, Wolves soon made it three goals as well as three points. It bought more disciplinary misery for Newcastle, with Fabricio Coloccini fouling Michael Kightly. Coloccini was booked, meaning all four of Newcastle's starting defence earned bookings.

Substitute Jones had only been on the field for five minutes but showed perfect poise and composure to score.

Newcastle almost had the final word soon after, but Jonas could only head over when seemingly nailed on to find the net and Guthrie was also unable to find the target.

The visitor's day was summed up when Ameobi somehow managed to fire over when it was harder to miss.

It bought to an end a miserable day for Newcastle, with the team losing all disciplinary composure as they fell to pieces in the Black Country against a Wolves side that look like they're staying up, and doing well to gain vital results like these.

Wolves: Hennessey - Halford, Mancienne, Berra, Olsson (Castillo 75) - Kightly (Hunt 87), Milijas, Henry, Surman - Maierhofer (Jones 75), Keogh
Subs not used: Hahnemann, Zubar, Jarvis, Ebanks-Blake
Booked: Halford, Milijas, Henry, Maierhofer
Sent Off: Henry (75)

Scorer: Olsson (24), Keogh (40), Jones (pen 80)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Kadar (Bassong 45) - Thygesen (Smith 63), Barton, Nolan (Guthrie 45), Jonas - Ameobi, Lovenkrands
Subs not used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Duff, Mandzukic
Booked: Simpson, Steven Taylor, Kadar, Coloccini, Barton, Guthrie
Sent Off: Barton (62)

Referee: Steve Bennett
Attendance: 28,183

Newcastle have confirmed they have extended Danny Simpson's loan with the club.

The full back, who turned 23 this month, was on loan at Newcastle from Manchester United and his contract had been due to expire during the month.

But the club have confirmed the full back will remain at St. James' Park for the remainder of the season, with an option to buy the player for a nominal fee of one million pounds during his contract.

Simpson has so far been first choice right back this season under Sven-Goran Eriksson, making 18 starts for the club.

He is yet to play in 2010 after spraining his wrist during Newcastle's game at Burnley, but he is expected back in the squad for next weekend's trip to Wolves.

A spectacular strike from Shola Ameobi was enough for Newcastle to beat ten man Stoke.

Stoke's task of picking up their first away league win of the season was made harder when former Newcastle defender Abdoulaye Faye was controversially sent off after just 17 minutes for a lunge on Kevin Nolan.

Newcastle took advantage with the opening goal through Ameobi and in the end, one goal proved to be enough against a poor Stoke side.

The result was just what Sven-Goran Eriksson's side needed after their home defeat by Liverpool on Wednesday, although things might have gone differently had Stoke taken one of two chances they got in the opening five minutes.

Faye, who scored in both games between these two sides last season, picked up the ball in the middle of the park and opted to lash a drive that swerved through the air before colliding with the post.

James Beattie almost grabbed a strike as well, but the one-time England international was unable to get his free-kick on target.

Newcastle's first chance saw Mario Mandzukic denied by former Sunderland keeper Thomas Sorensen, but Stoke were on top and frustrated by some solid defending.

The game then went in Newcastle's favour after Stoke were reduced to ten men.

Faye dived in late and two-footed on Nolan, although it did look as though the Newcastle midfielder made the most of his fall. Nevertheless, the referee felt the Stoke skipper had dived in recklessly and dismissed him from the playing field.

Newcastle almost took the lead instantly, but Mandzukic's header from Mikkel Thygesen's corner wouldn't go on target. Nevertheless, they would be ahead soon enough.

A firm pass forward from Nolan went out to the edge of the penalty area for Thygesen, whose attempt to cross it was blocked by Danny Higginbotham. But the block fell perfectly for Ameobi, who lashed home a superb volley from 20 yards into the top corner.

It was Ameobi's first home goal of the season for Newcastle, and the hometown striker sent the home crowd into raptures.

Higginbotham almost made another contribution to the scoresheet when he was first to Liam Lawrence's half-cleared cross but his effort narrowly flew into the stands.

Newcastle's best chances for a second before half-time were both aerial efforts, but Ameobi and Thygesen were both unable to direct their efforts on target and they entered the break one goal up.

The Toon Army were hopeful of sealing the game up with another goal, and were close very quickly into the half when Ameobi was first to Steven Taylor's cross but couldn't keep his effort down.

The Newcastle players then felt they should have had a penalty for a challenge by Ryan Shawcross on Ameobi and although it looked like they may have had a case, the referee instead awarded a corner, which Newcastle duly wasted.


They finally managed a chance on target shortly after, when Mandzukic received Steven Taylor's lay-off but could only fire straight at Sorensen.

As a quiet half progressed, Mandzukic wasted another chance to put the game to bed as he continued his recent goal drought, while the unlikely source of David Edgar almost wrapped up the points when his effort from Ryan Taylor's corner was held by Sorensen.

Stoke then almost stunned the Magpies when they had their first shot on target seven minutes from time. However, Harper's fine save kept out Tuncay's strike.

But their chance had been and gone, and Newcastle secured another three points as they seek to consolidate their midtable placing.

Its also a result that heightens the enveloping gloom for Tony Pulis' Potters, who are now simply seeking to defy the avoids and survive.

Newcastle: Harper - Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Edgar, Bassong - Thygesen (Ryan Taylor 64), Barton, Nolan, Jonas (Smith 86) - Mandzukic (Guthrie 77), Ameobi
Subs not used: Krul, Kadar, Duff, Lovenkrands

Scorer: Ameobi (25)

Stoke: Sorensen - Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Higginbotham (Griffin 56) - Lawrence (Kitson 61), Faye, Fae, Pugh - Beattie (Damia 61), Tuncay
Subs not used: Walker, Collins, Dickinson, Etherington
Booked: Higginbotham, Kitson
Sent Off: Faye (17)

Referee: Stuart Atwell
Attendance: 44,543

Early goals from Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel helped Liverpool on their way to a simple win at Newcastle.

Torres put the travelling Reds ahead inside 120 seconds and was joined on the scoresheet by Babel, which put Liverpool 2-0 up inside the opening ten minutes.

Babel scored a second goal with 21 minutes to go, as Liverpool's victory in their game in hand proved to be a vital three points in their aim to get into the Champions League places.

The result was a much needed boost for Liverpool's top four aim, after dropped points against Fulham and Arsenal over the Christmas period had left them behind in the race for the spots.

They were on their way to victory in next to no time. Liverpool advance through the pitch with Javier Mascherano, who played the ball out wide to Dirk Kuyt. The Dutchman then hit the ball up to Torres, who evaded poor marking to slot home.

Joey Barton led Newcastle protests that the Spanish striker had wandered offside in his eagerness to score, but it was to no avail.

Liverpool almost made it two goals in seven minutes but Martin Skrtel couldn't get his strike under the bar. However, the visitors would soon have two goals in nine minutes.

Once again, the move began when Mascherano found Kuyt, but this time the Dutchman played in Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool captain played a well worked ball out to Babel, who ran free of the defence to slot home and give Liverpool their second goal.

Babel had scored on both of his last visits to St. James' Park and this goal ensured his team looked set for another cruise on Tyneside.

It could have been worse before the 20 minute mark was up. A brilliant save from Steve Harper kept out Gerrard's flying free-kick, and the Newcastle goalkeeper was also on hand to deny Kuyt.

It took 23 minutes for Newcastle to create a chance, which came when Steven Taylor was first to Tamas Kadar's long throw but unable to keep his effort down.

Liverpool resumed to being on the front foot. Gerrard hit a powerful strike that flew high into the stand behind the goal, while Daniel Agger was also close when his free-kick bounced a fraction past the post.

A miserable first half for the home team was compounded when Andy Carroll limped off the pitch with an elbow injury after a collision.

His replacement was Peter Lovenkrands, and the Danish striker almost got Newcastle back into the contest moments later when his effort was well saved by Pepe Reina.

Newcastle then thought they should have had a penalty when Kevin Nolan went down in the box after a challenge by Agger, but referee Andre Marriner instead felt the former Bolton player had tried to con him and duly gave him a yellow for diving.

Despite this late sting, Nolan came close to giving Newcastle a way back early in the second half when his free-kick landed just wide.

Jonas Gutierrez also came close as Newcastle had a rare spell of opportunities, but Liverpool came close to putting the contest to bed when Gerrard left fly with a good strike that only a magnificent Harper stop was able to keep out.

Substitute Jamie Carragher was also close with a strike when his powerful effort narrowly flew over.

Liverpool then put the contest to bed some 21 minutes from time, thanks to some defensive errors. Glen Johnson's firm delivery was met by an awkwardly wayward header from Fabricio Coloccini, which presented Babel with an open goal.

The Dutch winger needed no second invitation to find the net, grabbing his second and Liverpool's third in the process.

Newcastle almost responded immediately. Reina had to make a good stop when Mario Mandzukic was played clean through, but Liverpool almost made it four when Torres' ambitious effort landed narrowly over the top.

Coloccini almost atoned for his miserable defending when he was just over from a corner, but it was not enough for Newcastle.

They were distinctly second best as they were mercilessly torn to pieces by the visitors, who reinforced their Champions League credentials with a resounding success.

Newcastle: Harper - Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Kadar (Edgar 77) - Jonas, Barton, Nolan, Duff (Thygesen 66) - Mandzukic, Carroll (Lovenkrands 35)
Subs not used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Ameobi
Booked: Duff, Barton, Nolan

Liverpool: Reina - Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Dossena (Carragher 45) - Mascherano, Lucas - Kuyt, Gerrard (Jadson 74), Babel (Riera 74) - Torres
Subs not used: Cavaliera, Aquliani, Benayoun, N'Gog
Booked: Mascherano

Scorer: Torres (2), Babel (9, 69)

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 50,859

Nile Ranger's first senior goal helped an unconvincing Newcastle squeeze past Colchester and into the FA Cup Fourth Round.

A closer game than many had anticipated between the Premier League Magpies and the League One U's eventually swung the home side's way when Ranger scored just shy of the hour.

Shola Ameobi rubber-stamped Newcastle's progress with a late second goal, although Terrell Forbes scored a late goal to ensure the U's returned to Essex with a goal to their name.

The odds had been stacked in favour of the home side, despite Colchester being in form in the League One promotion race. The in-form visitors also managed the game's first opportunity when David Fox scooped a drive towards goal that narrowly went over.

Newcastle's first chance came from a set-piece, when Steven Taylor was picked out by Damien Duff's corner only to head just over.

Ranger was unable to take an opportunity when presented to him, but Newcastle did come closer moments later when Ben Williams did well to push away Mikkel Thygesen's strike.

Colchester then had a chance to stun St. James' Park moments later when Clive Platt received the ball and it took a firm stop from young goalkeeper Tim Krul to keep the trike out.

A mazy run from Duff almost yielded a goal but the winger was unable to hit the ball on target, while Steven Taylor was similarly unable to find the target as Newcastle increased the pressure.

Ranger was much closer, with his powerful effort well deflected onto the bar by U's keeper Williams.

The woodwork was similarly rattled towards the end of the half when Thygesen's attempted cross almost drifted in, with the crossbar denying the Danish winger.

Danny Guthrie was close to getting a first half goal for Newcastle, but couldn't make the most of two opportunities presented to him.

Colchester were able to keep Newcastle quiet early on in the second half, but the U's couldn't hold out and conceded the opening goal twelve minutes into the second half.

Ryan Taylor's ball inside was collected by Alan Smith, who cued up Guthrie. The midfielder's ball forward wasn't cut out by Paul Reid and was picked up by Ranger, who saw an effort rebound off the post and into the goal.

It was a moment to savour for the youngster, who is hoping for an enlarged role in the Newcastle first team as the season continues.

Ranger also had two efforts to double his and his team's tally, but neither effort he managed was on target.

Despite their profligacy, Newcastle looked the more likely to score again and almost got it when Ameobi saw a firm strike expertly tipped clear by Williams.

Colchester almost stunned St. James' Park with six minute to play when Kemal Izzett was given a golden opportunity to equalise. But the midfielder wasted it and within moments Newcastle made their passage to Round Four secure.

Izzett started the move that led to the end of his team's opportunity for victory when he fouled Smith, which saw him collected a yellow card. Guthrie sent in the resulting free-kick, and his delivery picked out Ameobi for a crisp header into the bottom corner to grab his team's second goal.

Perhaps with this in mind, Newcastle let their guard down and Colchester soon got a goal back to make injury time a little nervy for the home faithful.

It was a clever goal as well, with Alan Maybury's free-kick hit out to Kevin Lisbie on the edge of the area, and his direct pass was headed in by Forbes in front of the keeper's left hand post after he had got ahead of two Newcastle defenders.

But it was not enough to deny Newcastle progression, and although it was not a convincing display, Sven-Goran Eriksson will be pleased to progress into the hat for Round Four.

Newcastle: Krul - Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Edgar, Kadar (Tozer 77) - Thygesen, Smith, Guthrie (Lovenkrands 85), Duff (LuaLua 77) - Ranger, Ameobi
Subs not used: Harper, Bassong, Wilshere, Mandzukic
Booked: Ranger

Scorer: Ranger (57), Ameobi (84)

Colchester: Williams - Maybury, Reid, Baldwin, Forbes, Lockwood (Perkins 45) - Izzett, Fox (Beevers 82), Wordsworth (White 58) - Platt, Lisbie
Subs not used: Cousins, Okuonghae, Heath, Thomas

Scorer: Forbes (90)

Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 36,584

Coloccini out until Christmas.

Oh spiffing.

Burnley substitute Steven Thompson scored the only goal as the Clarets beat Newcastle at Turf Moor.

The striker is transfer listed and was only in the squad following an injury to Jay Rodriguez, but he came off the bench to make the most of his opportunity when he took advantage of poor Newcastle defending to bag the winner.

It was a particularly frustrating afternoon for the visitors, who wasted several chances to get the win and ultimately left Lancashire empty handed, much to the frustration of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Newcastle have only won once on the road this season - that result coming some 35 miles down the road in Wigan - and they arrived hoping to rectify this unimpressive statistic.

They had the first chance early on when Jonas Gutierrez rose to meet Damien Duff's delivery only to get his header off target.

Steven Fletcher had the Claret's first opportunity when the Scottish striker rose to meet a cross only to fluff his lines, but it was Newcastle who got the first shot on target.

A firm pass from Jack Wilshere picked out Duff, but the former Blackburn winger was denied by Marian Kelemen, much to the amusement of the home supporters.

Kelemen was definitely the busier keeper, with the Slovakian international called upon to make another save to deny Andy Carroll, and then another to make a firm save to deny Danny Simpson.

Steve Harper had been tested for the first time a few moments earlier to deny Chris Eagles, and the former Manchester United winger then picked up another opportunity but was nowhere near finding the project.

Former Newcastle teammate Stephen Caldwell was then required to make his presence felt when his firm tackle denied the run of Carroll, and Burnley then tried another effort only for Fletcher's effort to go wide via a deflection off Sebastien Bassong.

Newcastle's top scorer Mario Mandzukic had been quiet in the first half but was very close to netting the opening goal, when he reached Carroll's lay-off only to find the wrong side of the net.

The visitors continued in the same vein at the beginning of the second half, with Carroll seeing a shot go wide off Graham Alexander. The Newcastle striker was fuming as he felt Alexander had bought him down illegally but the referee was not interested in his appeals.

Burnley had a good opportunity to take the lead out of seemingly nothing when David Nugent tried the half-volley when it had seemed Fletcher's cross was uncontrollable. The one-time England international's strike was a firm effort that Harper did equally well to block.

The Magpies were close to bagging the opening goal when Jonas got in behind the defence only for his effort to be punched clear by Kelemen.

A powerful strike from Nugent went wide, but it was the last thing of note from the striker before he was subbed off having failed to run off an earlier knock. He was replaced by Thompson, with Owen Coyle deploying his third and final sub.

Newcastle were close just after the hour when Mandzukic's firm deliver picked out Carroll, but the striker couldn't keep his effort down.

Jonas saw an effort deflected off Tryone Mears into the hand of Kelemen as Newcastle ramped up their efforts to hit the opening goal, but they were duly hit by the sucker punch with 23 minutes to go.

Alexander cued up substitute Chris McCann, who evaded Ryan Taylor before hitting the ball up to Fletcher. The striker's first time ball rebounded off Fabricio Coloccini into the path of Thompson, and the newly arrived striker ran through before finishing powerfully beyond Harper.

Newcastle almost came back instantaneously through the unlikely source of Bassong, who saw his free-kick narrowly go over.

But Burnley did well to cope with some underwhelming Newcastle attacking, easily restricting their ability to get near the goal.

Their hope of preserving their advantage was aided by some poor Newcastle finishing, with Mandzukic seeing his strike land in the stand behind the goal.

Much closer was Taylor, who sent a good free-kick narrowly past the wrong side of the post, but the quality of Newcastle's finishing was more accurately represented when Coloccini sent an awful header high into the stand.

Substitute Shola Ameobi had two efforts to seal a share of the points, but he missed one long range effort and one closer effort from Danny Guthrie's cross, as Newcastle began to run out of ideas.

In the end, Burnley held on and secured a fine victory built on defensive solidity. They were certainly helped by some hideously profligate Newcastle finishing, with most of the Tynesiders' efforts finding the goalkeeper or the back of the stand rather than the net, and Sven-Goran Eriksson will be hopeful of improvement.

Burnley: Kelemen - Mears, Caldwell, Bikey, Jordan - Paterson (Blake 45), McDonald (McCann 45), Alexander, Eagles - Nugent (Thompson 63), Fletcher
Subs not used: Jensen, Easton, Eckersley, Guerrero
Booked: Bikey, Caldwell, Alexander

Scorer: Thompson (67)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson (Guthrie 69), Coloccini, Bassong, Kadar - Jonas, Barton, Wilshere, Duff (Ryan Taylor 65) - Mandzukic, Carroll (Ameobi 65)
Subs not used: Krul, Edgar, Nolan, Thygesen
Booked: Coloccini

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 22,516

Andy Carroll scored the only goal as Newcastle scored a surprise win against title chasing Spurs.

Carroll had been surprisingly picked ahead of Shola Ameobi, who had scored in Newcastle's previous two games, but justified Sven-Goran Eriksson's faith when he scored just after the hour.

It was the Geordie striker's first goal in two months and enhanced his burgeoning reputation amongst the club.

Carroll's goal also continued an unhappy streak for Spurs at St. James' Park, with the North Londoners having now lost their last five league visits to Tyneside.

This was in contrast to their pre-match optimism. Spurs had arrived in the North East with nine wins in their previous ten and knew a further three points would increase the perception that Harry Redknapp's team could be about to mount a title challenge.

Despite this, Spurs got off to a sluggish start, with a Robbie Keane run illegally halted by Sebastien Bassong - he received a booking for his troubles - the closest they got to troubling the scoresheet.

This was particularly poor from Keane, who looked little like the player that scored a hat-trick in the revere fixture back in August.

Newcastle were little better and it took them 23 minutes to register anything resembling an opportunity.

Nevertheless, this opportunity was very close to the opening goal, with Carroll leaping to meeting Jose Enrique's cross and Gomes doing very well to tip the effort round the post.

Kevin Nolan also came close to an opener when the resulting corner was only half-cleared but he couldn't find the target with his effort.

Spurs' first real chance came after the half hour mark but was also close to an opener, with Peter Crouch flicking a long ball onto Keane and the Irish striker was denied by a firm stop from Harper.

Carroll should've done better when played through by Mario Mandzukic, but Newcastle then had an injury concern when full back Jose Enrique went down and stayed down after a robust tackle from Aaron Lennon.

The extent of the challenge left the full back with a twisted ankle, which is likely to keep him out for a month. This meant he was taken off, with Hungarian youngster Tamas Kadar bought in for his Premier League debut.

Neither side looked particularly inventive, with a wayward Benoit Assou-Ekotto thump the nearest either side came to anything resembling an opportunity at the end of the first half and for the first 15 minutes of the second.

But when a chance did come, it fell Newcastle's way and - crucially - was made the most of.

Spurs had won a corner but it was cleared by Mandzukic for Fabricio Coloccini. Newcastle's Argentine centre back opted to run with the ball, and was able to fly from the edge of his own penalty box down the right flank deep into the Spurs' half.

An expert ball across from Coloccini picked out Carroll, who ran free of the visiting defenders and finished with aplomb beyond Gomes.

It was the striker's fifth goal of the season and it heightened the sense he could become a key player for his hometown club.

This seemed to wake Spurs up, and they thought they'd equalised within six minutes of falling behind. Wilson Palacios cued up Lennon, whose cross was skilfully converted by Keane.

But the home side's advantage was maintained by the offside flag, much to the disgust of the visiting team and fans.

Being denied the equaliser seemed to take the sting out of the Spurs attack, much to the pleasure of a Newcastle team still holding the lead and allowed to contain any time Spurs got vaguely near the Newcastle penalty box.

Indeed, aside from a few necessary interventions by Newcastle defenders, Spurs barely troubled Harper.

With two minutes to go, the points were almost wrapped up by the home side. Carroll's firm delivery picked out Ryan Taylor, but the right winger was skilfully denied by Gomes.

Spurs threw players forward in search of an equaliser but every attempt was repelled and they sunk to a disappointing defeat. Redknapp will be particularly unhappy at how little Newcastle's goal was troubled during the 90 minutes, and will seek improvement during a tricky-looking spell of upcoming fixtures.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique (Kadar 45) - Ryan Taylor, Barton, Nolan, Lovenkrands (Jonas 70) - Mandzukic (Smith 86), Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Edgar, Duff, Ameobi
Booked: Simpson, Bassong, Kadar

Scorer: Carroll (60)

Spurs: Gomes - Corluka, Dawson (Woodgate 66), King, Assou-Ekotto - Lennon, Jenas, Palacios, Modric (Naughton 72) - Keane, Crouch (Pavyluchenko 77)
Subs not used: Cudicini, Hutton, Bale, Kranjcar
Booked: Palacios, Jenas, Woodgate

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 51,889

Aye its a small wonder he wasn't dismissed sooner.

Shola Ameobi scored against Sunderland for the third derby in a row to seal a point for Newcastle on Wearside.

Darren Bent struck an early goal for Sunderland, who were looking good as they looked for a third win in a row and back-to-back home victories against their neighbours.

But Ameobi, who struck in both Derby matches last season, was on the scoresheet to ensure the points would be shared for the third time in three seasons.

Nevertheless, under the watchful eyes of his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, Steve Bruce's charges continued their recent spark into life. It took them 16 matches - a Premier League record - to register their first league victory, but back-to-back victories over Birmingham and Bolton have begun a revival many seem unlikely.

As a result, the Black Cats entered the stadium hopeful of continuing this unbeaten run against the old enemy, and their aspiration of such reward was heightened by a seventh minute opener.

Having survived early Newcastle pressure, Sunderland won a corner that was half-cleared to Kieran Richardson. He passed it back to George McCartney, and the Northern Irishman played a ball upfield to Fraizer Campbell. The striker teed it up for Bent, who ran free of poor marking by Steven Taylor to slot the ball beyond Steve Harper.

It was only Bent's fourth goal of the league campaign but the emotion to him and the Sunderland supporters was clearly visible for the world to see.

With an early goal to their name, Sunderland tried to contain Newcastle for the duration of a poor first half, and almost bagged a second on 25 minutes when Geovanni was picked out by a superb cross only to get his header completely wrong.

Newcastle almost made them pay when Mikkel Thygesen laid it off for the unlikely figure of Danny Simpson to strike one, but the one-time Sunderland loanee was denied by a good stop from Craig Gordon.

Mario Mandzukic should have done better when he headed over from the resulting corner, and he was almost made to pay for his profligacy when Lorik Cana attempted the spectacular. His thundering 30 yard drive beat Harper but thrashed against the bar, and it was still shaking after referee Andre Marriner had blown for offside when Bent tried to reach the rebound.

Bent almost scored a similar goal to his first, when he ran free of poor marking but could only find Harper with his shot.

Newcastle then came even closer, with Simpson's cross laid off by Ameobi for Mandzukic, and the Croatian saw his strike well blocked by Gordon.

Having survived that, Sunderland began to ask questions of Newcastle's goalkeeper. Gilberto was first to try his luck when he evaded Joey Barton before firing a superb effort that Harper was equally impressive to tip off target.

Campbell was next to have a go but should have done better when his fairly poor effort was straight at Harper, but he came closer with his next effort when he bore down on goal and forced a good save from the Newcastle keeper.

With the final kicks of the half, Newcastle were so close to levelling. A firm cross by Ameobi was met by an equally powerful header from Mandzukic, who saw his header bounce free off the bar.

Mandzukic was then almost a provider, but Thygesen could not make the most of his opportunity.

This would by Thygesen's last act, as he and the anonymous Jack Wilshere were sacrificed at half-time. It would be a wise decision as one of the replacements was involved in the equaliser.

Jose Enrique's firm ball down the flank picked out Peter Lovenkrands - Thygesen's replacement - and his ball bounced beyond Michael Turner to Ameobi. The striker slowed the game down, did an excellent spin to get away from his marker and then buried a powerful strike beyond Gordon into the bottom left corner.

It was a second goal in a week for the striker, who has been largely overlooked in favour of Andy Carroll so far this season.

Sensing their moment, Newcastle began to attempt to find a winner. Jonas picked out Fabricio Coloccini, who hit the side-netting, before Mandzukic met Jonas' cross only to head straight at Gordon.

But Sunderland were not out of it. They almost had a freak strike when Gordon's long ball almost found Campbell in the other end of the box, which it would have but for a firm stop from Harper.

Geovanni was close with a more rational effort, with the Brazilian midfielder seeing his free-kick fly into the stand.

Ameobi should've had a second goal of the evening when he was teed up by Mandzukic only to fire it into the sidenetting, but Sunderland were closer still when Geovanni saw a pearler kept out by a brilliant save from Harper.

With both sides having played the game at a frantic and exhausting pace, it was only natural that the second half soon descended into a fairly quiet lull, with a few Sunderland half-chances the best either side could manage for a spell.

Sunderland had more than a half-chance with five minutes to go when Campbell teed up Richardson, but last season's derby winner in this fixture couldn't repeat his trick as he fired into the stand.

As the game entered its final moments, Newcastle almost snuck a winner when Kevin Nolan's cross met Lovenkrands, who was denied by a sensational stop from Gordon.

Ameobi struck one over the bar in second half added time, but it was not enough for Newcastle to snatch three points.

It was an intriguing game with impressive pace and surprisingly clean considering the fact it was a derby, and both sides will feel they did enough to win it. Ultimately, a draw means that bragging rights will have to be shared until the teams meet again in May.

Sunderland: Gordon - Dallku, Turner, da Silva (Ferdinand 57), McCartney - Geovanni (Evans 90), Cana, Richardson, Gilberto (Henderson 84) - Bent, Campbell
Subs not used: Fulop, Hamann, Rodrigo Mendes, Jones

Scorer: Bent (7)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique - Thygesen (Lovenkrands 45), Barton, Wilshere (Nolan 45), Jonas - Mandzukic (Duff 86), Ameobi
Subs not used: Krul, Bassong, Ryan Taylor, Carroll
Booked: Simpson, Barton

Scorer: Ameobi (50)

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 48,300

Two Jonas Gutierrez goals helped Newcastle secure a resounding away win at hapless Wigan.

Newcastle arrived at the DW Stadium without an away league win this season but two goals in four minutes from Mikkel Thygesen and Shola Ameobi set them on their way to victory against the league's bottom club.

Jonas added a third before half-time before securing a resounding success with a fourth goal in the last ten minutes.

The result heightens the gloom enveloping Roberto Martinez's side, with Wigan having only having two wins to their name this season, and with Sunderland now beginning to win matches, the Latics fall to the bottom and risk being cut adrift the longer their winless streak continues.

Wigan's morale had been boosted coming into the game after their surprise draw at high-flying Everton in their previous game and they had an early chance but former Newcastle winger Charles N'Zogbia saw his free kick land inches wide of the mark.

Newcastle came close seconds later when Mario Mandzukic teed up youngster Jack Wilshere, and the loan signing from Arsenal was unlucky to find the side-netting.

The best chance in a quiet half fell to Jason Scotland, but the striker could only head over and this would prove costly as Newcastle found the opener with four minutes of the Trinidad and Tobago striker's miss.

Some intricate passing between Jonas and Jose Enrique saw the Argentine winger progress, and he opted to lay the ball off for Joey Barton. The midfielder's fizzing cross picked out Thygesen, who got away from Erik Edman before firing home.

Within four minutes it was two. Steve Harper's long ball out found Jonas, who got clear of the defender before laying it on for Ameobi. Newcastle's veteran striker was able to run through on Chris Kirkland before comfortably finding the goal.

The striker was taking advantage of a rare start with a firm finish that will do his cause for a starting berth no harm.

Wigan almost got an instant way back into the contest but Edman couldn't direct his free-kick on target.

By contrast, Newcastle almost made it three moments later when Thygesen was perfectly targeted by Danny Simpson's cross only for the Dane to head over.

But Newcastle did make it three with nine minutes of the first half remaining. Ameobi's forward progression saw him able to hold the ball up for Wilshere, who teed up Jonas to slot the ball home and grab his team's third goal.

It could have been four first half goals for the Magpies after Thygesen saw his header just graze the top of the bar on its way over, while Wigan's chance of a first half goal saw Mohammed Diame dribble free of the defence to create a great opportunity. Unfortunately for his team, the Senegal midfielder wasted it and was duly one of the players sacrificed in a bold triple substitution at half-time.

One of the subs was Marlon King, who got close when he ran free of Coloccini and forced a firm stop from Harper.

Paul Scharner also came close as Wigan began knocking, but they almost got buried on the break when Mandzukic broke free only to be denied by Kirkland.

Kirkland also had to make an excellent save to deny Newcastle substitute Peter Lovenkrands, while Thygesen was again off target with his attempt.

Wigan were still creating chances and felt they should have had a penalty when Steven Taylor challenged Jason Scotland - a plea ignored by referee Lee Mason.

But they were still second best and could've fell further behind when Lovenkrands was played through by Ameobi only for the Dane to fire straight at Kirkland.

Nevertheless, Newcastle soon had four anyway. Some crisp passing saw David Edgar pick out Danny Simpson, who picked out Kevin Nolan, who threaded a pinpoint pass to Jonas. The Argentine winger always had several yards on Mario Melchiot and was able to convert with ease.

The Wigan fans had seen enough. Many left soon after the fourth, with a fair number having already left beforehand, and a bleak midwinter faces Roberto Martinez's side.

Newcastle will certainly feel buoyed by this result. A first away win of their season was also their first four goal haul since March 2008 and they will feel elated as they embark on a busy Christmas period, starting with Monday night's Tyne-Wear Derby.

Wigan: Kirkland - Melchiot, Tunchev, Amaya (Gomez 45), Edman - Scharner, Diame (McCarthy 45), Won-Hee (King 45) - Kalachev, Scotland, N'Zogbia
Subs not used: Politt, Figueroa, Sinclair, Koumas

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique - Thygesen, Barton (Edgar 58), Wilshere (Nolan 68), Jonas - Ameobi, Mandzukic (Lovenkrands 68)
Subs not used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Duff, Carroll
Booked: Jose Enrique, Coloccini, Barton

Scorer: Thygesen (21), Ameobi (25), Jonas (36, 82)

Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 16,959

Three goals in ten minutes helped Aston Villa come from behind to beat ten man Newcastle at St. James' Park.

Newcastle had taken the lead during a quiet first half after Curtis Davies unwittingly deflected Mario Mandzukic's shot past his own goalkeeper, and it had looked as if the Tynesiders were going to take three points and preserve their unbeaten home record.

But Alan Smith was sent off for conceding a penalty by fouling Ashley Young, with Stiliyan Petrov scoring the equaliser.

Aston Villa then struck further with goals from Gabby Agbonlahor and Stephen Warnock ensuring the points would be for Martin O'Neill's side, and rendering Mandzukic's late strike a consolation.

This was the first meeting of the two sides since a last minute equaliser from Damien Duff at Villa Park kept Newcastle up on the final day of the season, and the Magpies entered this encounter above their guests in the table.

Newcastle had the game's first opportunity when Ryan Taylor set up Andy Carroll only for the giant striker to blast his effort into the stands.

But the Villa were able to restrict Newcastle's effectiveness attacking the goal and came close with a chance of their own when former Magpie James Milner was left unmarked at Ashley Young's corner, only for the winger to head over.

Ryan Taylor wasted two efforts for Newcastle and it took them 24 minutes to test Brad Friedel for the first time, with the effort seeing Villa's keeper hold onto Smith's half-volley.

Villa had a better chance three minutes later when Agbonlahor's cross forced a chance for Milner, who was denied by a point blank save from Steve Harper.

Friedel had to be alert to make a routine stop to deny Mandzukic, before Villa saw a chance from Marlon Harewood denied after the striker had fouled Fabricio Coloccini.

A flying save from Villa's American goalkeeper to deny Joey Barton had looked to preserve the goalless status of the game for the break, but there was nothing he could do to stop Newcastle scoring the opener.

A firm ball from the middle of the park from Barton to Mandzukic was helped on out wide to Ryan Taylor. The ball was returned to Mandzukic, who opted to try his luck. The Croatian's strike was going wide but it hit Davies, wrong-footed Friedel and landed in the back of the net.

It was a cruel goal for the away side to concede as they had matched their hosts for the majority of the half, but the break saw Villa a goal down.

Villa's attempts to find an equaliser were the only real chances in a very quiet second half, with Nigel Reo-Coker hitting a poor effort high and wide and Harewood seeing a strike deflected wide.

In fact, these were the only two real chances of a dreadful second half, but Newcastle fans had become worried by some particularly spicy tackles that saw players receiving cards.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson seemed to agree, with the Swede opting to substitute Barton after a series of poor tackles led to the midfielder being cautioned and walking a tightrope.

But it was another Newcastle midfielder who would receive the second caution and throw Villa a lifeline.

A Villa attack saw Ashley Young played the ball and he was about to run on goal when his shirt was needlessly pulled on by Smith. Newcastle's captain had already been cautioned for a foul in the first half, and his second offence led to his dismissal by referee Chris Foy.

Petrov stepped up and converted the penalty to bring Villa back on level terms.

The visitors began to sense the game was theirs for the taking. Substitute Nathan Delfouenso ran clear of the defence only to fluff his lines when on goal, while Agbonlahor was unable to keep control of the ball as he found the side netting.

With 11 minutes remaining, the visitors took the lead for the first time. Davies' header from a clearance found Milner, who in turn found Agbonlahor. The striker took advantage of some poor defending by Bassong to run on goal and lash the ball home via the underside of the crossbar.

It would then get better for Villa when they got a third. Jose Enrique's poor clearance found Petrov, who got ahead of two Newcastle players before finding the unlikely figure of Warnock in the middle of the goal. Villa's left back raced away from Coloccini, rounded Harper and coolly finished as well as any striker to put the result beyond doubt.

But the Toon did manage to grab one goal back in second half injury time. David Edgar's through ball was held up by Carroll, who laid it off for substitute Kevin Nolan. The ex-Bolton player played a beautiful through-ball for Mandzukic to race onto and finish.

But it was too little, too late for the home team, who suffer their first home defeat of the season against a Villa side who were very clinical once the Magpies were reduced to ten men. After a disappointing start to the campaign, Martin O'Neill will hope the side have turned a corner and can push on for a European spot.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Ryan Taylor (Thygesen 71), Barton (Nolan 62), Smith, Jonas (Edgar 71) - Mandzukic, Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Steven Taylor, Duff, Ameobi
Booked: Smith, Barton, Bassong
Sent Off: Smith (71)

Scorer: Davies (og 45+1), Mandzukic (90+2)

Aston Villa: Friedel - Young, Dunne (Cuellar 70), Davies, Warnock - Milner, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Young (Collins 70) - Harewood (Delfouenso 70), Agbonlahor
Subs not used: Guzan, Beye, Bouma, Downing

Scorer: Petrov (pen 72), Agbonlahor (79), Warnock (83)

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 52,387

Mario Mandzukic scored a dramatic 90th minute equaliser as Newcastle secured a surprise draw against Chelsea.

It had looked like being a routine result for the unbeaten leaders, who missed a few chances before taking the lead late in the first half through Michael Ballack.

But Newcastle earned a point in ridiculous circumstances at the end of the contest, when Demba Ba scored direct from a Petr Cech free-kick only to be ruled offside. The resulting free kick from Steve Harper made a perfect connection with Mandzukic, who scored.

Its only the fourth Premier League goal Chelsea have conceded so far this season in the Premier League, but Carlo Ancelotti will be more infuriated his team threw away their lead right at the end of the match.

The Blues had been on the front foot from the start of the contest, with Joe Cole dispossessing Danny Simpson but denied a shot after brave defending from Mikkel Thygesen.

Harper almost got caught out by Juan's corner, which John Obi Mikel headed into the side-netting. But Harper was still in for a busy afternoon, with the goalkeeper denying Ba's free-header and then later making a good stop to deny Frank Lampard's arrowing drive.

Newcastle's first chance came on 18 minutes when Thygesen rose to meet Jonas Gutierrez's cross with a superb leap but couldn't keep his header down in a disappointing miss.

Chelsea continued to press, with a run allowing Ba to get behind the defence only to see a strike skim the top of the bar, while a long range hammer strike from Cole was similarly off target.

But it was the home side with the best opportunity, with Thygesen played through one-on-one with Cech only for the Dane to fire his effort at the goalkeeper.

Newcastle were almost in moments later when Ricardo Carvalho made an excellent stopping tackle to deny Andy Carroll, while Sebastien Bassong was unable to keep his effort on target.

But as the half began to quietly end, it was the visitors who took the advantage.

Jose Bosingwa advanced down the right hand flank and was able to find Ballack, who hit the ball back to Lampard. The midfielder passed it back to Mikel, who showed excellent vision to pick out Ballack.

The veteran German international ran in ahead of Danny Guthrie before firing a powerful angled drive into the corner past Harper.

Chelsea almost made it 2-0 before the break when Daniel Sturridge intercepted a poor Fabricio Coloccini clearance only for the striker to fire his effort off target.

In contrast to the first half, the second was played at a significantly more lethargic pace as Chelsea looked to maintain their advantage against a Newcastle team readjusting to a tactical shift to a diamond formation.

The nearest either side came to a goal saw a slick Chelsea attack ended by a wild Bassong clearance that landed in the Leazes End behind the goal.

The first time a goalkeeper was necessary was on 65 minutes, and it was a fairly routine stop for Harper after Deco fired a strike straight at him.

Newcastle then suddenly began to start creating opportunities, with Mandzukic seeing one effort go over from Jonas' corner before a second effort from long range was inches over the top of the goal.

Chelsea's best chance saw the usually dependable Lampard lamp a free-kick into the stand moments before he received a booking, while Jonas wasted a great chance for the Magpies when he rose to meet a cross only to head it into the Gallowgate End.

The unlikely source of Jose Enrique almost salvaged a point for Newcastle when Mandzukic's lay-off presented the Spanish full back with a chance that he could only fire straight at Cech.

But Chelsea came even closer to finding a killer second strike, with Deco laying the ball off for Ba, and the Senegal striker bought out a very good save to deny Ba.

With 90 minutes on the clock, Chelsea thought they had sealed three points to take with them for the long journey back to London when Cech's long ball perfectly found Ba. The striker raced in-between Coloccini and Harper to head the ball into the back of the empty net, only to be penalised for offside.

Harper tried to get his teammates to scamper forward to get the equaliser, and his free-kick travelled long but was intercepted by Carvalho. However, Mandzukic got in ahead of the pedestrian John Terry, and he was able to control and fire the ball home.

It was a superb goal from the Croatian striker, and it sent the home crowd into raptures.

By contrast, Ancelotti stood on the touchline dumbstruck as his team threw away three points in dramatic style.

It meant that Chelsea blew the chance to re-establish their five point advantage at the top of the Premier League, which now stands at three after Manchester City beat Liverpool in the lunchtime game.

They will be particularly keen to improve ahead of a run of fixtures that includes trips to Manchester United and Arsenal, and could be key in their attempts to win the title this season.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique (Duff 88) - Thygesen (Ameobi 70), Barton, Guthrie (Ryan Taylor 45), Jonas - Mandzukic, Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Steven Taylor, Wilshere, Smith
Booked: Jonas, Ameobi

Scorer: Mandzukic (90)

Chelsea: Cech - Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Juan (Belletti 45) - Mikel - Lampard, Joe Cole (Deco 61) - Ballack - Ba, Sturridge (Malouda 61)
Subs not used: Turnbull, Alex, Zhirkov, Matic
Booked: Lampard

Scorer: Ballack (44)

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 49,481

Two goals from Wayne Rooney helped Manchester United secure three points against an agitated Newcastle.

The visitors were not happy with the events surrounding Rooney's two goals, with manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and his players visibly annoyed at them.

The first goal saw referee Howard Webb award a penalty for a foul on Rooney by Steven Taylor, although replays indicated this was the correct decision.

Rooney brushed off the agitation to score but his second was more controverisal, with the striker appearing to be offside in the race to get to the ball.

This ultimately ended the game as a contest, with substitute Danny Welbeck adding gloss to the scoreline with a third in second half added time.

It continued a good run of recent league form for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, whose comprehensive 7-3 derby win over Manchester City has breathed new life into a season that had been struggling to hit the high gears expected of the Red Devils.

Man United had an early opportunity to score when Ji-Sung Park's run found Rooney, but the striker headed the ball straight at Steve Harper.

Nani saw two attempted free-kicks deflected off target as the home side tried to search for an early strike, but it was the visitors with a better chance. Unfortunately for them, Joey Barton couldn't direct Mario Mandzukic's lay-off on target.

Michael Carrick was unable to keep his header down against his hometown club, while a similar problem with accuracy denied Park as the Red Devils intensified their search.

With 12 minutes to go before half-time, they almost got it. Dimitar Berbatov evaded Steven Taylor and laid the ball off for Rooney, whose powerful drive was well saved by Harper.

Berbatov was then given space to try his own effort but the striker could only fire the ball straight at Harper. A second attempt from the Bulgarian in first half stoppage time also came close but his effort narrowly rose over the top of the bar.

Shortly after half-time, Newcastle broke and thought they should have had a penalty when Carrick appeared to catch Steven Taylor in the box, but referee Howard Webb duly ignored the visitors' protestations.

Man United then began to turn the heat up on the visitors. A brilliant strike from Nani was denied by an equally impressive effort from Harper, while Rooney beat Joey Barton to the resulting corner but couldn't keep his effort down.

Then, with 13 minutes of the second half gone, United were handed the chance to open the scoring. A through ball from Patrice Evra picked out Berbatov, who advanced into the area before being felled by Steven Taylor.

Although Newcastle protested, the referee stood by his decision, although he opted not to punish the Newcastle defender further by giving him a second yellow card.

Rooney rolled up his socks and coolly dispatched his spot kick into the Stretford End to open the scoring for the home side.

Newcastle almost equalised instantly, when a half-cleared corner fell to Alan Smith but the former Red Devil could only fire a strike straight at Edwin van der Saar.

Smith's next contribution was to give away a free-kick for a poorly timed tackle but Rooney's free-kick landed in the stand.

The Red Devils did attempt to get closer, with Berbatov seeing a piledriver deflected away and Harper made a good jump to parry away a firm effort from Nani. The Newcastle goalkeeper was also needed to hold onto Nemanja Vidic's effort as his team began to be put under the cosh.

With 12 minutes left to go, the game's second goal fell the way of the home side.

Sebastien Bassong's poor clearance fell to Carrick, who laid the ball off for Paul Scholes. The substitute teed up his fellow sub Welbeck, who laid the ball on for Rooney to run free of the Newcastle defence before flicking the ball into the net.

Newcastle were fuming, as they felt Rooney had strayed offside before the goal, but although they might have had a case, the referee and his assistants were unsympathetic and the goal stood.

The away side's best attempt in the whole encounter came after 89 minutes when Shola Ameobi was played through and was denied by van der Saar, while a fantastic clearance from Scholes was able to deny Damien Duff scoring a seemingly nailed on rebound.

United then wrapped up the score moments later. Evra played the ball inside for Scholes who laid it up to Rooney. The striker cued up Welbeck, who hit a sumptuous strike into the top corner.

It was only the youngster's second Premier League goal, after he scored on his debut against Stoke City last season, but it was a moment to savour as he seeks to win a place in Ferguson's strongest eleven.

Man United: van der Saar - Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra - Park (Scholes 76), Fletcher, Carrick, Nani - Berbatov (Welbeck 76), Rooney
Subs not used: Foster, Evans, O'Shea, Anderson, Macheda
Booked: Park, Fletcher, Carrick

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

Newcastle: Harper - Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Jonas (Coloccini 84), Smith, Barton (Carroll 79), Duff - Nolan (Ameobi 59) - Mandzukic
Subs not used: Krul, Edgar, Guthrie, Wilshere
Booked: Steven Taylor, Bassong, Smith, Jonas

Referee: Howard Webb
Attendance: 71,854

Mario Mandzukic scored as Newcastle beat Portsmouth to secure their first win in five games.

The Croatian striker scored midway through the second half to secure victory for Sven-Goran Eriksson's side, who haven't tasted success since beating Arsenal in early October by the same scoreline.

It was always going to be a hard ask for a Portsmouth side fighting relegation and financial difficulties, and they were unable to add to their solitary victory so far this season.

They had hoped to keep Newcastle quiet and to be fair to the visitors they were able too, with a solitary Mandzukic effort that hit the side netting Newcastle's only strike on goal in the opening 28 minutes.

The best chance for the Toon fell to Jonas Gutierrez, who saw a powerful effort deflected clear by David James.

Portsmouth then had a go of their own, with a swift counter attack seeing John Utaka pick out Nadir Belhadj, who was denied by Steve Harper's fairly routine save.

A quiet first half saw only one real opportunity fall either way. It fell to Newcastle, who saw Mandzukic make the space before firing a venomous effort that James did well to deny.

Portsmouth's first half display was a smooth defensive display, which saw them suitably contain their host's attacking threats, but didn't see them produce too many in the way of their own.

They did come close in the opening stages of the second half, with Belhadj seeing a curling free-kick deflected wide moments before Papa Boubia Diop was denied by Harper from the corner.

Harper was also required to make another firm save to deny Jamie O'Hara's fine free-kick as the visitors begun to find an advantage on the scoresheet.

Newcastle did have some opportunities of their own though, with Mikkel Thygesen firing an effort over the top.

James was then necessary to keep Portsmouth level, with Andy Carroll playing in Jonas who forced a firm save for the goalkeeper.

But James would be beaten moments later, and seconds after Utaka had blown a chance to put Portsmouth into the lead.

The resulting goal kick was hit long by Harper, whose long hit perfectly found Mandzukic. The Newcastle number 10 raced free of Linvoy Primus before firing the ball across James into the bottom corner of the goal.

Mandzukic was almost able to bury Portsmouth for good moments later when he raced free and was denied by James, before Portsmouth almost equalised when Diop was picked out by Belhadj only for the header to go out via the top of the bar.

Newcastle began to focus on containing the visitors from the South Coast and were able to do so, with Belhadj wasting Portsmouth's only real chance when he blasted it wide.

In the end, the Tynesiders were able to gain the victory that they had wanted. It was a good win for Newcastle, who did not play at their free-flowing best but still secured victory. But in contrast its more misery for Paul Hart's team, whose win over Wolves in early October remains their only league success of the season so far.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Thygesen (Duff 64), Smith (Nolan 64), Barton, Jonas - Mandzukic, Carroll (Edgar 90)
Subs not used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Guthrie, Ameobi

Scorer: Mandzukic (63)

Portsmouth: James - Vanden Borre (Wilson 45), Primus, Ben-Haim, O'Hara - Mokoena, Hughes - Smith, Diop, Belhadj - Utaka (Hreidarsson 65)
Subs not used: Ashdown, Finnan, Williamson, Yebda, Dindane
Booked: Mokoena

Referee: Stuart Atwell
Attendance: 43,411

Morten Gamst Pedersen scored an 80th minute equaliser to deny ten man Newcastle a first away win of the season.

Sebastien Bassong scored the opening goal midway through the first half and looked to have got Newcastle on their way to three points.

But their plans were derailed when Fabricio Coloccini was sent off midway through the second half for two yellow cards, and Gamst Pedersen was eventually able to produce a share of the points for Sam Allardyce against his former club.

However, Blackburn were unable to do enough to get their first home win of the new season and their hope will carry in a season that is increasingly looking like a battle to stay in the Premier League.

It was a niggly start to the affair, with Newcastle bringing back the combative Alan Smith for his first start since the opening day alongside the similarly combative Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan with the seemingly intent purpose of ensuring Blackburn didn't have a physical advantage.

The arrival of Smith duly came with a yellow card, with the former Leeds and Manchester United midfielder shown the game's first yellow card for needlessly pulling back Steven N'Zonzi.

Newcastle had the game's first real opportunity with a long ball from Coloccini finding Jonas Gutierrez, who went on a magnificent mazy run but his low drive went narrowly off target.

Blackburn's first chance fell to Dunn, who was able to evade the marking of Smith but his effort was wayward.

When the first goal, it fell to the Magpies, who were clad in their infamous yellow striped kit.

A clearance from an initial cross fell to Benni McCarthy, who was careless in possession and was picked off by Nolan. The ball fell to Bassong, who decided to go for the solo run. It was a good call as he ran free of the entire Blackburn defence before firing an acute effort beyond Paul Robinson.

Having already scored up the road at Bolton this season, it was a fine strike for the young French defender who is enjoying an impressive reputation at St. James' Park.

Newcastle almost made it two moments later when Mario Mandzukic saw a powerful effort deflected wide off a Blackburn defender, while the home team's best opportunity fell to Brett Emerton only for the Australian to see his effort trickle past the wrong side of the post.

Emerton came closer with three minutes to go before half when he was picked out by Dunn and his firm strike was pushed away by Harper.

Harper was then required again shortly after half-time when Gamst Pedersen was picked out by Chimbonda and the Norweigan winger's header was tipped out for a corner by the Newcastle goalkeeper.

Newcastle almost had a goal of their own moments later when Nolan was set away by Barton and raced clear only to be denied by a good save from Robinson.

Ryan Nelsen hit one off target but his fellow Blackburn centre half came closer, with Christopher Samba meeting Emerton's cross and forcing the save from Harper.

Newcastle's afternoon then became a harder ask when they were reduced to ten men moments later. Coloccini had already been treading on eggshells after the Argentine defender had hauled down McCarthy during the first half, and when he tripped up Blackburn sub Jason Roberts the referee was left with only one option.

The sending off constituted a reshuffle for Newcastle, with Steven Taylor bought on to partner Bassong in the centre of defence.

Having been involved in the sending off incident, Roberts almost caused further pain for the Magpies when the striker met Gael Givet's cross but his woeful header went wide.

With time beginning to run out and Blackburn looking unable of scoring, Newcastle almost wrapped up the points with ten minutes to go when Mario Mandzukic was denied by a firm save from Robinson.

But ten minutes from the end, the game's second goal yielded an equaliser for Rovers.

Lars Jacobsen intercepted a clearance, and fed it to Keith Andrews, who flicked it on for Roberts. The substitute sprayed the ball out wide into the path of Emerton, whose first time delivery was headed into the back of the net by Gamst Pedersen.

It was a second goal in three for the Norweigan after his winning goal at Fulham a few weeks ago, and despite protests that he was offside, the goal stood and Blackburn had a platform to hunt down that elusive first home win.

But despite this, it was Newcastle who almost managed the winner only for substitute Ryan Taylor to spray his free-kick into the crowd.

Harper was then able to make a straight-forward save to deny a firm effort from Andrews, while Jonas was able to head away a deep cross before it could reach Rovers sub El-Hadji Diouf.

But in the end, the two teams shared the points and neither side could break their respective ducks in a scrappy yet absorbing encounter.

Blackburn: Robinson - Chimbonda (Jacobsen 62), Samba, Nelsen, Givet - Emerton, Andrews, N'Zonzi (Roberts 45), Gamst Pedersen - Dunn - McCarthy (Diouf 73)
Subs not used: Brown, van Heerden, Hoilett, Ketelear
Booked: Givet, Samba, Dunn

Scorer: Gamst Pedersen (80)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Thygesen (Steven Taylor 62), Smith (Carroll 88), Barton, Jonas - Nolan (Ryan Taylor 77) - Mandzukic
Subs not used: Krul, Guthrie, Wilshere, Duff
Booked: Steven Taylor, Bassong, Smith
Sent Off: Coloccini (62)

Scorer: Bassong (26)

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 23,824

Joseph Yobo scored the only goal as Everton beat Newcastle at Goodison Park.

The Nigerian defender scored the only goal of the game 13 minutes before half-time, which extended Everton's unbeaten run to nine in all competitions and keeps the Toffees 3rd in the table.

It also means Everton are the first team to deny Newcastle a goal in a competitive fixtures this season, and rubs in a double dose of Merseyside misery for the North East side after they were beaten by Liverpool in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.

The Tyneside club were poor throughout, and their evening was not helped when Shola Ameobi had to substituted following an injury just four minutes after appearing from the bench.

Newcastle were on the back foot from the off. Steve Harper had to make an early stop to deny Tim Cahill when the Australian met a rising cross, and the goalkeeper then had to make a very good save when Steven Piennar snuck in on Jose Enrique's blind side to meet Javier Garrido's delivery.

Pienaar had another attempt when he met Leighton Baines' delivery but his attempt to strike it was fairly poor.

Yobo was also unable to head the ball on target as the game descended into a fairly poor affair all round, with both teams unable to find a way to trouble the scoresheet.

Everton did try one attempt later and it was very close, with a firm cross picking out Yakubu and the giant Nigerian was denied by a brilliant save from Harper.

But there was nothing Harper could do from the resulting corner, with Baines' delivery picking out Yobo. The man up from the back rose above Fabricio Coloccini to bury his header into the corner, and score his third goal of the season.

If Newcastle had thought they would get back into proceedings, they were disappointed as Everton continued to look most likely to score. Marouane Fellaini had a daisy cutter deflected wide and former Magpie Sylvain Distin headed straight at Harper from a corner.

Although Everton lost Pienaar, they still continued to attack with Yakubu seeing a powerful effort fly over.

The first real attack of note by the Magpies came five minutes after half-time when Andy Carroll laid the ball of for Mario Mandzukic, who struck a powerful effort that was saved by Tim Howard.

Both sides' games were thrown by a series of niggly injuries, with Sebastien Bassong, Danny Simpson and Phil Neville all receiving treatment for knocks.

It was Everton who had the best of the chances after that, with Harper making a flying to stop to push away Yakubu's effort before he made a simple stop to deny Lucas Neill.

Newcastle had made a chance when they bought on Ameobi for Kevin Nolan, but they had to re-amend their game plan within four minutes as the striker limped off the field with what the team physios are reporting as a dead leg.

Despite this, Newcastle then came very close to an equaliser when Mandzukic's deep cross picked out Jonas Gutierrez, only for the Argentine winger to head into the crowd.

The game had been set for a grandstand finish but Newcastle showed very little in way of attacking spirit or imagination, and Howard and his team were barely troubled in the final quarter of an hour.

In the end, they were put out of their misery with the final whistle moments later and while Everton will be toasting the continuation of their impressive start, Newcastle return to the North East underwhelmed following a double dose of Merseyside misery.

Everton: Howard - Neill, Yobo, Distin, Garrido - Pienaar (Heitinga 44), Neville, Fellaini, Baines - Cahill - Yakubu
Subs not used: Nash, Hibbert, Rodwell, Tom, Slory, Jo

Scorer: Yobo (32)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Duff (Ryan Taylor 45), Edgar, Nolan (Ameobi 65 (Thygesen 69), Jonas - Mandzukic, Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Steven Taylor, Barton, Wilshere
Booked: Bassong

Referee: Kevin Friend
Attendance: 40,158

Having been out walking the dogs, I heard "Cardiff lead" but it turned out to be the Cardiff Blues rugby team.

Didn't expect Cardiff City to also be winning

Good point that.

I think our players thought the assistant had flagged offside against Suarez.

Its not quite as bad as a game a few years ago at Wigan where the ref ignored an offside flag and then sent off Bassong.

Fuck's sake.

Fernando Torres scored a 95th minute penalty to help Liverpool beat Newcastle as the club reached the Carling Cup Quarter Finals.

The game had looked set to progress to extra-time, with Yossi Benayoun's early goal cancelled out by a strike from Newcastle sub Mario Mandzukic.

Both teams had missed opportunities to win the game and it had looked to be going for an additional 30 minutes when a penalty was awarded for handball by Sebastien Bassong and Torres scored the penalty.

It was tough luck on Sven-Goran Eriksson's visitors, who felt they had given a good account of themselves against a Liverpool team among the favourites to the win the tournament and who had picked a strong team.

Newcastle, by contrast, opted to rest a number of players and almost fell behind with a minute when Torres fired a crisp strike that was denied by Steve Harper, and the Spanish striker headed over from the resulting corner.

Liverpool took the lead after 13 minutes. Andrea Dossena was able to run down the flank before passing it to young midfielder Damien Plessis, who sent the ball across to Steven Gerrard. The talisman of Anfield was able to see the space and cue up Benayoun, who hit a powerful effort into the net.

A quiet first half then saw neither team make any serious inroads towards getting on the scoresheet, with Plessis and Gerrard seeing strikes deflected away just shy on the half hour with their first attempts since the opening goal.

Newcastle's first chance, by contrast, was a fairly poor one, with Alan Smith heading Kazenga LuaLua's delivery straight at Pepe Reina.

The Tynesiders did try to score in the moments before half-time, but Kevin Nolan had one effort deflected wide and LuaLua couldn't find the target.

Neither side was too happy with some of their players in the first half, with both Rafa Benitez and Eriksson making double substitutions at half-time.

It was Liverpool who had the first real chance of the second half, but Gerrard could only fire the ball into the Kop.

Gerrard had a later effort denied by Harper, but Newcastle did manage to force some saves out of Reina.

His first save was a fairly routine one to deny Damien Duff, but he was needed to make a pair of urgent stops to deny Nolan's fierce drive and then Mandzukic's follow-up.

But Reina was beaten on 65 minutes, to the delight of the Newcastle supporters filling the goal behind him.

Duff intercepted a poor throw-in and a passing move eventually saw the ball returned to the Irish winger by Tamas Kadar. Duff's first time ball picked out Mandzukic, who ran clear of Martin Skrtel before firing a crisp strike into the bottom corner.

Javier Mascherano led vociferous protests that the Croatian striker had been offside, and they were further annoyed when they felt Bassong's challenge in the area should've been a penalty.

A fairly routine save was required out of Harper to deny Skrtel's header from a corner, before his centre-back partner Jamie Carragher did well to get ahead of Bassong but couldn't fire his strike on target.

Liverpool looked closer to getting the decisive goal in the contest with Gerrard firing over and Harper making a good save to deny Albert Riera's angled drive.

Newcastle weren't always on the back foot though, with Reina needing to make a vital stop from Nolan's long range drive.

Harper was then needed again to deny Riera's free-kick, but to the shock of the away supporters, they would be conceding moments later with the final goal of the contest.

The ball was worked out wide to Riera, who aimed in a cross towards the Liverpool strikers. The referee ruled that, in and amidst this, Bassong deflected the ball away with his hand and awarded a penalty.

Angry Newcastle protests were duly ignored, and Torres stepped up to win the game with his spot kick.

It was harsh on the Toon Army, who gave a good account of themselves, while Liverpool will be happy to progress and they now await Manchester City in the Quarter Finals.

Liverpool: Reina - Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Dossena (Agger 45) - Plessis (Kuyt 66), Mascherano - Voronion (Riera 45), Gerrard, Benayoun - Torres
Subs not used: Cavalieri, Lucas, Aquilani, Sneijder

Scorer: Benayoun (13), Torres (90+5)

Newcastle: Harper - Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Kadar - LuaLua (Thygesen 45), Smith, Wilshere, Duff - Nolan - Ameobi (Mandzukic 45)
Subs not used: Krul, Coloccini, Edgar, Guthrie, Jonas
Booked: Steven Taylor, Bassong, Smith

Scorer: Mandzukic (65)

Referee: Alan Wiley
Attendance: 45,362

Very good.

Andy Carroll scored a late equaliser as ten man Newcastle salvaged a late point at home to West Ham.

It had looked as though Newcastle's unbeaten home start would be ended by the Hammers, who led through a goal in first half injury time from Guillermo Franco.

Joey Barton was sent off during the second half to make things bleak for Newcastle, but a late strike by Carroll ensured that the Magpies would be going home with a share of the points.

It was the second time in 2009 Carroll denied West Ham victory on Tyneside late on, after the young striker scored a late equaliser when the two teams met in January.

West Ham arrived with a plan to try and take on the home side, and they almost grabbed the early goal when Danny Gabbidon intercepted Danny Guthrie's poor clearance but could only fire a strike that was held by Steve Harper.

Ryan Taylor was the hero for Newcastle against West Ham the week before and had his team's first chance when the midfielder tried his luck but could only find the stand behind the goal.

The best chances of a surprisingly quiet first half also fell to Ryan Taylor, but his first effort went off target after a surging run and his second strike when he aimed for the top corner but only found the stand behind the goal.

West Ham were doing well to frustrate the home side's attacking initiative, with the North East team struggling to create much in the way of chances in a well-thought contest.

Yet for all the Hammers good defensive strategy, it looked to have come undone on the stroke of half-time when Jonas Gutierrez dived in to turn Ryan Taylor's cross into the goal. Sadly for the home team's supporters, Jonas was - controversially - ruled offside.

Newcastle then missed the chance to equalise when Rob Green made a fine save to deny Mario Mandzukic, before West Ham then happily rubbed further salt into the Newcastle fan's wounds with the opening goal.

It was a messy strike, which followed a goalmouth scramble after Matthew Upson's header from Luis Jimenez's corner hit the post. Steven Taylor failed to clear properly and a bounce around ball eventually saw Scott Parker find Franco, whose strike trickled in with a final touch off Danny Simpson.

Franco scored his third goal in four games and is proving signs he is beginning to settle in England after signing for West Ham from Villarreal.

Moments after half-time, West Ham almost grabbed a second strike when Franco evaded Steven Taylor and saw a firm strike tipped away by the goalkeeper.

Newcastle didn't learn their lesson and within consecutive attacks, West Ham came through again when Carlton Cole intercepted Ryan Taylor's poor clearance and saw a strike that was denied by Harper.

The Toon almost equalised moments later when a counter attack saw Carroll run through only to be denied by Green.

West Ham then began to dig in and prevent Newcastle the freedom from attacking their goal. Their task was then aided when the home team were reduced to ten men.

Barton, who had been booked in the first half, was penalised by Lee Mason for a niggly foul on Franco, and was duly sent off.

Newcastle opted to re-dress their team, with Jonas moving into a left wing-back role and substitute David Edgar pushed into a holding midfielder role. This style seemed to work as, with seven minutes to go, Newcastle found an equalising goal.

West Ham had dealt with Jonas' initial cross but the ball was picked up by Danny Simpson, who advanced before sending in a second cross. The second ball in was perfect for Carroll, who rose in ahead of Jack Collison and powered his header beyond Green.

It was a firm header from the giant striker, who was delighted with his impact.

Stung by the concession of their long-held lead, West Ham tried to break for a second goal of their own. However, they were unable to find the target when substitute Julian Faubert could only hit a poor effort into the crowd.

Closer to a winner with the last kick was Carroll, who was picked out by Edgar and saw a slick strike bounce off the post and out.

It was almost a perfect end to the game for Newcastle, but they will be relieved to avoid defeat against a firm and disciplined West Ham outfit. Gianfranco Zola will have particularly been impressed at the way his team played, even if they will be deflated by their late concession.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Edgar 72) - Ryan Taylor (Thygesen 57), Barton, Guthrie (Nolan 87), Jonas - Mandzukic, Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Kadar, Duff, Ameobi
Booked: Ryan Taylor, Barton
Sent Off: Barton (71)

Scorer: Carroll (83)

West Ham: Green - Spector, Gabbidon, Upson, Ilunga - Behrami (Faubert 71), Luis Jimenez (Dyer 77), Parker, Collison - Diamanti (Cole 45), Franco
Subs not used: Stech, Ball, Tomkins, Kovac
Booked: Collison

Scorer: Franco (45+3)

Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 52,387

Ryan Taylor scored the only goal as Newcastle secured victory over ten man Arsenal at St. James' Park.

The January signing from Wigan scored his first goal for the club near the end of the first half, which ensured Newcastle returned to winning ways on home turf after being held by Birmingham in their last home game.

By contrast, it was another frustrating afternoon for Arsenal that saw the pressure increase on Arsene Wenger. Their misery was compounded in second half injury time when defender Phillipe Senderos was sent off.

It's been a tricky season for the Gunners, with Arsenal being beaten by Stuttgart in the Champions League play-off as well as disappointing away results at Spurs, Liverpool, Stoke and Sunderland.

They had been hopeful of a result against a Newcastle team missing the injured Sebastien Bassong and Peter Lovenkrands, and the ineligible Jack Wilshere, but it was the hosts with the stronger start.

Newcastle's first chance saw Andy Carroll rise to meet Jonas' cross but couldn't get a strike on target, while Manuel Almunia made an early save to deny Mario Mandzukic.

A quiet first half saw the home team have the better of the contest, with Newcastle looking the likelier to get on the scoresheet.

They came closer still after 20 minutes when Mandzukic was played through but saw his effort denied by Almunia.

Arsenal's first real opportunity came after 23 minutes when they tried to break through the middle but Eduardo couldn't get his trike from the edge of the area on target.

It was Newcastle who came closer to the opener, with Kevin Nolan seeing one effort pushed wide by Almunia moments before the Arsenal goalkeeper was on hand to make an even better save to deny Ryan Taylor.

Steve Harper was forced into a save for the first time moments later, but it was a vital one as the Newcastle keeper made a fine save to deny Eduardo when he met Andrey Arshavin's cross.

The game had looked to be entering the break goalless but just before first half injury time it was Newcastle who swept into the lead.

Smooth passing between Newcastle defenders and midfielders eventually saw the ball fall for Fabricio Coloccini, who cued up Joey Barton. Barton was able to stick the ball out to Ryan Taylor. Most the crowd was expecting the Newcastle wide player to run, but Ryan Taylor instead opted to strike, and it was a great decision as the strike flew from his boot into the top corner.

The midfielder, who scored four times for Wigan against Newcastle before moving to Tyneside, was delighted with his first goal for the North East club.

The travelling supporters were hoping for their heroes to respond, but it was Newcastle who resumed to having the better of the play.

The Toon had come close from corners, with Coloccini and Mandzukic both seeing efforts rise over the bar into the crowd, before the goalscorer came close again. Ryan Taylor picked up Mandzukic's lay-off and tried to fire the volley, which was pushed well clear by the Arsenal goalkeeper.

Arguably Arsenal's best chance came moments later, when Abou Diaby picked up the ball on the edge of the area and had a crack. His powerful drive beat Harper but rattled the bar and tumbled into touch.

Diaby duly tried again moments later, but the midfielder was this time unable to find the target.

Arsenal had begun to see more of the ball as they tried to hunt down an equalising strike but Newcastle's defending was largely robust to their attacks.

The Gunners did come close again when a well-weighted ball perfectly picked out Andrey Arshavin, but this time the Russian couldn't find the target.

As the game arrived into the closing stages, Arsenal continue their profligacy. Diaby saw an attempt at the spectacular go over the bar, while substitutes Jakub Blaszczykowski and Tomas Rosicky were both unable to find the target.

Arsenal's woes were then compounded in second half injury time, when Senderos - on a yellow card since a fourth minute foul on Carroll - was pulled back for tripping up Newcastle replacement Shola Ameobi. This duly led to the Swiss international's dismissal.

The game ended after that and an uncomfortable time of football for the Gunners continued with a miserable defeat where their regular failure to trouble Newcastle's goalkeeper ultimately proved dear.

But little could detract from an impressive Newcastle performance, who looked impressive in their performance and saw them claim an impressive victory against top class organisation.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique - Ryan Taylor, Barton, Nolan (Thygesen 86), Jonas - Mandzukic (Ameobi 89), Carroll (Guthrie 84)
Subs not used: Krul, Edgar, Kadar, Duff
Booked: Steven Taylor, Carroll

Scorer: Ryan Taylor (45)

Arsenal: Almunia - Sagna, Senderos, Gallas, Clichy - Diaby, Song, Denilson (Rosicky 79) - Nasri (Blaszczykowski 51), Eduardo, Arshavin (Vela 79)
Subs not used: Fabianski, de Cler, Sunu, Murphy
Booked: Clichy, Senderos
Sent Off: Senderos (90+3)

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 50,128

... Sort It Out Si has a Twitter page?

I mean, thanks. That's pretty cool