Season 2008-2009

NEWCASTLE UNITED

1 v 3

ARSENAL

Post Match Comments:

Caretaker manager Chris Hughton said:
"‘I can understand the feeling of fans. Of course I have sleepless nights but I have to stay focused for this group of lads. I am concerned but they cannot see me worry. I accept it is going to be a dogfight now through to the end of the season. We are well aware of the position. We have eight games left, we need to get enough results to stay in this division and we need to get results quickly.

"We’re disappointed with the timing of the (second Arsenal) goal, so quickly after we’d got back on level terms.  The incident with Steven Taylor was a normal one. He went off the park and unless the player is saying he can’t continue, you have to give him a period of time to get over the injury.

"I have had no indication that anything will change - Joe will be back at the time when he will be back, but apart from that, I am not aware of anything else.

"Mike (Ashley) wasn’t in the changing room at half-time. He came down to see the staff after the game. That’s normal for Mike. We spoke about the game. He was encouraged by the first hour of the game and, in particular, the first half, but shared our disappointment that we didn’t get more out of it." 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said:
"‘I like the people here and the consistency of the support. I hope they stay up. Newcastle showed they have enough quality but they need one or two results to go for them.

"I think it was a very good football game, one where Newcastle played well. They had a very good first half and put us under pressure and could have been in front, of course, with the penalty. They had two or three other good chances. In the second half we kept the tempo high, slowly took over and then won the game in a convincing way. I must say as well Newcastle were unfortunate to lose players, like Sebastien Bassong and Steven Taylor, at the wrong period of the game.

"It was a good opportunity today, to close in on those at the top. You never know, even in a one in a billion chance, we want to come back and fight to get as close to the team at the top.

"We feel that we are on a very good run and improving in every game. This is a young side and the spirit is great, the quality is there and we feel we can go forward from game to game. People don’t realise how young we are in the Premier League, and what we achieve. I think today you had six or seven players between 20 and 22-years of age.

"The penalty save was certainly an important part of the game. I felt, though, that when the penalty was given, that Rome would help him (Almunia); it made him feel strong on penalties. Of course it is a bit of a toss up, but I think some part of a penalty is psychological. On that front, the fact he helped us to win in Rome gave him the needed confidence.

"I was surprised they left Michael Owen out, but I read that this morning that he would not play. Maybe he is not in top physical form. I must say Martins and  Lovenkrands were lively - they played very well.

"The only thing that has changed from two weeks ago is that it is in our hands now. We do not have to focus too much on the results of Aston Villa. That shows you, if you drop a little bit, you are quickly caught. We could have been eight points behind Aston Villa two weeks ago, so we want to keep our focus, and our performances at a high level."

Newcastle United went down 1-3 to Arsenal at St James’ Park in a result that saw Newcastle fall into the relegation zone with only eight games remaining.

Arsenal showed there class in a 10 minute spell in the second half that Newcastle could not handle.

On 57 minutes, Ryan Taylor was penalised for the second of two fouls in the same move, catching an opponent as he fanatical chased back.  Arshavin swung in the resultant free kick from midway down the Newcastle left, to where Bendtner jumped and glanced the ball past Harper.

Precisely 49 seconds later the Magpies were level, as Martins lost the ball on the edge of the Arsenal area, but fortuitously regained it via a deflection off Gallas.  The Nigerian wasted no time in whipping a low shot beyond Almunia at the Leazes end.

However, six minutes later the game was effectively over.  With Newcastle down to ten men, as Steven Taylor received treatment, Arsenal burst through the centre of the home defence and Diaby played a neat one two with van Persie before firing the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-2.

And defeat was confirmed three minutes later when Harper was beaten for a third time in rapid succession as Nasri found space in the box and shot expertly beyond him.

Things could have different for Newcastle, in the first half they match the Gunners and Martins missed a penalty.

This performance showed plenty of positives but Newcastle need to take this type of performance against the teams around them, otherwise, Championship football will be here next season.
 

AUSSIE MAGS By Row 'S' Army