All,
for those of you unable to attend games at Gallowgate for whatever reason here is the sixth of my match accounts for this season, including personal thoughts as a Newcastle supporter as the day’s events unfolded both outside and inside St James Park.
It is always refreshing to have a different view about a fixture than from that of a fellow Mag. Therefore, as on this occasion when The Toffees visited, my usual journey into Newcastle differed too as it included the company of two Everton supporters. Now given that they won here last season you would not be wrong to assume there would be fireworks on November the fifth. That didn't happen however it is fair to say they were both full of it regarding the outcome of this game. Normally I would have entered into the debate equally confident, well equipped with a load of stats to counter this Blue rush of fervour. Particularly on the back of The Toons unbeaten run. However like any wise man I kept my powder dry until the training started…………plus being joined by some other Mags, nothing like a show of numbers to put fear into the opposition.
With the breakfast crowd clearing off and a couple of early training rounds sorted, the conversation obviously turned towards the midday match. The Blue contingent going on about how hard done too they were against Manure the previous week and that they were in a false position in the league. The latter getting a big round of laughs from the Black n’ Whites seated around the table and some bemused looks from the visitors. Predictions ranged from a close one nil to three one in favour of the home side. One conservative draw at one all based upon players out through injury, to a shock two nil for the away side from as you might expect The Toffees fans.
Having finished off the last of the fluids, we then made our way up to the ground. Slightly earlier than normal to give our visitors plenty of time to get in as new security measures were tested and they had apparently sold out their full ticket allocation. With Newcastle also having sold an extra four thousand season tickets a fifty thousand plus crowd was expected.
Safely inside the ground, I watched the pre match warm up for a while and noted who was on the pitch, with Mr T being the most obvious player missing. Hardly a complete surprise, but it did make me wonder what team APee would put out against a tough David Moyes side. With about five minutes to go before kick off the names were as at Stoke, barring Marveaux coming in for the injured Obertan.
The game kicked off with The Mags attacking the Gallowgate End and both sides appearing fired up for the game. APee had again stuck with his favoured four, four, two formation with Best and Ba up front. Everton meanwhile looked to have gone with a four, five, one, with Saha given the lone front man role with Phil Neville on his return picking up a midfield spot. Not that the extra man for The Blues appeared to make much difference as The Toon stroked the ball about quite comfortably. Cabaye and Guthrie linking well together, as they had at Stoke the previous Monday night to good effect.
The first major break through of the game eventually coming rather unexpectedly from Danny Simpson with the ball arriving to the right back from Guthrie following a flowing move from the home side. That final telling pass giving him plenty of time to send in his cross. Something you see both full backs practicing during the warm ups. This time it caused total confusion between Howard and Heitinga with the defender directing the ball into his own net for the opening goal on twelve minutes.
If there was an element of luck involved with the first goal, there was no doubt about the quality of the second. Any Newcastle supporter will tell you Ryan Taylor knows how to strike the ball effectively, most of the time from dead ball situations. However occasionally he scores a screamer from open play as with his effort in the Carling Cup last season. This one must be among his best ever. With his initial attempt from just outside the area on the left half blocked he just took his time and let the ball bounce. Then unleashed a terrific right foot volley that left Howard no chance as it hit the underside of the bar on its way into the net, two nil after 30 minutes and The Toon were cruising.
I say cruising however, the second goal appeared to galvanise Moyes team into action and they began to push forward more. Their cause further helped with an injury to Cabaye that resulted in the French playmaker having to be replaced by Danny Gosling. It was also during this period that Everton showed they did have a bit of bite up front. Saha breaking free and leaving the Mags defence left for dead only to blast the ball high over the bar when he should have at least got it on target to test Krul. Shortly after The Toon had another let off as the same player with a snap shot from inside the area struck the left hand goal post. Jack Rodwell also going very close with a header while Drenthe wasted a good opportunity by firing into the side netting with colleagues better placed.
Despite this Everton pressure The Toon may well have gone three up as a cross come shot from Raylor almost ended up embarrassing Howard with only the bar saving his blushes. Another added bonus being the departure of Neville on forty-one minutes, the midfielder replaced by former Toon player Distin.
Two minutes into added time in the first half Everton received a massive lift. As following a superb corner kick Rodwell left his marker Simpson and powered in a header to take the teams into the break with a two to one score-line.
The highlight at half time comprised of two kids showing off their football skills and four guys (sic) trying to put the ball through a hole into the Gallowgate End goal. Have to say the kids won easily.
The second half started much in the same vein as the end of the first with Newcastle being pushed further back into their own half as Guthrie and Gosling were out numbered.
The game was becoming very similar to that against Wigan tactical as well as physical. Newcastle remaining in front mainly thanks to some brilliant defending and one glaring mistake from referee Andre Marriner. Not that I realised he had made it at the time. Saha being the man again to suffer disappointment although it has to be said the Toffees front man did not do himself justice on this showing. The Toon were also forced into making further changes as the half went on. Less than ten minutes gone until Sameobi had to be brought on for the injured Marveaux and Ben Arfa replacing a very tired looking Leon Best with seventy-three minutes elapsed on the clock. Best having given all he had during a very physical battle with Distin and Jagielka. With Everton, now bossing the midfield the home side changed their approach to a counter attacking style. Some neat inter change of passing seeing Sammy get too stretch his legs and frighten the daylights out of the visitors defence with only his inexperience letting him down on occasions.
As the game moved into its final stages the crowd sensed the end could go either way and were determined it should be in The Toons favour. The Strawberry corner were in full voice now and defending just about every kick made by Colo, Saylor and the back four. Jonas again proving his worth to the team in this fixture as extra defensive cover if not for being a direct threat in attack. Guthrie and Gosling going the extra yard in midfield, continually chasing and harassing their opposite numbers to deny The Toffees until the whistle was blown to end an enthralling encounter.
Positives………….that those coming off the bench or from the squad have as much spirit as those in possession of the shirt. We can win when not playing well. More match time for Ben Arfa and Sammy. A magnificent crowd of 50,671 and being second in the Premier League table even if just for a few hours.
Negatives...................the injuries and new concerns over how APee will manage future fixtures with a depleted squad.
Next up Abu Dhabi Citeh away in a battle to see who remains unbeaten. Bring it on…
CWL
And for once I hope Sunderland win!!!! 
