6 ... its the magic number!
August 23rd 2010 11:37
The scoreline 6-0 certainly seems to be in fashion at the start of this new Premier League season, but who would have thought the third team to jump on the bandwagon, would be Newcastle United. After Chelsea thumped West Brom then Wigan by the margin, and Arsenal put six past Blackpool, you could have made a fortune by predicting the mighty Magpies would do the same to Aston Villa. Three from Andy Carroll, two for Kevin Nolan, and a wonderful opener for the newly clean shaven Joey Barton.
On what proved to be a historic and memorable day at St James's Park, things could have been so different early on. Just ten minutes in, and Steve Harper brought down Ashley Young .. penalty. There was an early sign it would be the toon army's day though, as John Carew's effort from the spot was more dangerous to the crowd behind the goal than the scoreline. Within two minutes of the miss, after good work from Carroll and Nolan, Barton screamed in his first Premier League goal since October 2008, 1-0.
The only thought in my mind was try and get to half time with this advantage intact, but little did I know what was in store at the half hour point. Captain Kevin Nolan headed home at the second time of asking, only for Carroll to add a third just minutes later. Despite a reasonably equal first half, Newcastle went in at the break 3-0 in front.
Watching the coverage on ESPN, I laughed at King Kev's half time comment, that the game could end up five or six, I would have taken 3-2! But what we saw in the second half, is the best I have seen Newcastle play since King Kev left two years ago. We dominated the midfield, bossed the game, and Perch, Williamson, Coloccini and Enrique looked more and more unbreakable at the back as the game went on. We could have added more if only our wingers, Jonas and Routledge, had a final ball to match their mazy and skillful running with the ball.
After dogged determination from Williamson saw the ball loop into the Villa box on 67 minutes, Carroll was there to volley home our fourth, and the points were in the bag. Late goals from Nolan, and Carroll wrapping up his hat-trick in injury time, meant that the 6-0 scoreline was out again, the third time in 24 hours. Newcastle's tough tackling, and English steel in the middle of the park had shone through, with Barton, Nolan, Carroll and Alan Smith, dominating the centre of the pitch all match long.
While this is obviously an incredible result, one of the best I can remember in my 16 years supporting, against a good Aston Villa side, we must not get carried away. I don't mean to sound negative, as obviously beating a team in Europe 6-0 is reason for optimism, but it is still just three points. West Brom and Blackpool also have three in the bag, and 17th place is still the target for the season. Having said that, more performances like this, could have us securing our Premier League status much earlier than may next year.
Just a quick mention on a separate note, but Newcastle appear to have completed the signing of Ivory Coast holding midfielder Cheick Tiote, subject to a work permit. I don't know too much about the player, but he comes highly rated from FC Twente, and will add much needed depth to our impressive central midfield unit.
But what an amazing result, sort of makes up for relegation at Villa Park 15 monthes ago I think! If we can keep this up, this season could be good fun after all!
Newcastle United 6 Aston Villa 0
Barton 12, Nolan 31, 87, Carroll 34, 67, 90 3
Ratings;
Steve Harper 6
James Perch 7
Jose Enrique 7
Fabricio Coloccini 6
Mike Williamson 8
Alan Smith 8 (Ameobi 75mins, 5)
Joey Barton 8
Jonas 6 (Xisco 78mins, 6)
Wayne Routledge 7 (R Taylor 75mins, 5)
Kevin Nolan 8
Andy Carroll 9
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Comment by Matt Saltmer
Procrasturbating
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