The game actually going in high tempo with both teams have creating some chances in the first half, but it’s normally that the home side is getting the best of it the most, but thanks to our both full backs who done their job perfectly.

Both Danny Simpson and Steven Taylor have a breathtaking moment when they have to make a critical save infront of an empty Newcastle’s goal from Bothroyd and Wright-Phillips efforts. Tim Krul was twice making mistakes to go up too far leaving his post.

We also have two or three chances to go up in first half through Leon Best. But, in my honest opinion, I was quite impressed with Obertan’s appearance, He’s doing pretty well and keep progressing.

From the homeside, I was noted that Taarabt and Wright-Phillips are our serious threats, especially when WP makes me hold my breath with his long ball chips into our empty net, thanks to Steven Taylor who heads the ball off the line.

Not a similar scenario that I would have been expected to see in the second half, as we are looking surprisingly tired, strange but we are usually playing much better after the break but that not seen during the second half at Loftus Road.

In fact the only serious threat that we created was when Jonas moving in too quickly before the ball finally arriving, and since that we are very rare to make any serious test to the home defense. I also see that Tiote will have to wait and working more harder to catch-up with his previous level of fitness as well as his skill.

All in all, a quite decent game to watch and satisfactory result for both team I thought, although not as good as our last game against Fulham and I was hoping that we could land in the top four spot with a win tonight, but to keep the unbeaten record so far was a good achievement too.

Until then and thanks for keep coming. Howay the Lads!

Without Ameobi who has a slight injury, AP recalled Leon Best to partnered with Peter Lovenkrands as United front men. Obertan filled the empty slot on the right wing where used to have Barton to fill in. And from my point of view, he’s done a very good job there and I believe soon he can exceed his successor.

In central midfield, Tiote is return after being off on last Thursday’s Carling Cup fixture. He’s joining force with Yohan Cabaye, who start to look like a fresh Kevin Nolan and he commanding the area quite well, particularly in the second half.

The first 10-20 minutes, it was the visitors who have the control and we are responded very well in defense, with skipper Colo and Taylor both stands tall against the impressive American center forward, Clint Dempsey.

They have couple of good chances through Sidwell and Kasami’s long range shooting, but we also creating some troubles to their defense near the end of first half with Best header and Taylor’s long kick.

Newcastle’s goal came in shortly after the break. Ryan Taylor put a throw in to Cabaye’s position with one Fulham player guard him, but still he can manage to escape and sent a thunderous ball that bounch past Fulham’s goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer into top cross bar before fall to Leon Best who are free to put it into the empty net.

Soon after the goal, we looks like to turn down the tempo a little bit, and the visitors have two good chances to make an equaliser through Sidwell and Murphy’s close range header that both are denied by Tim Krull.

Soon after that, with the introduction of Demba Ba to replaced a relatively quiet Peter Lovenkrands, Newcastle start to dominating again. It was another clever cross from Cabaye to Ba who then sent it to Fulham’s penalty area where Best was there waiting to make it 2-0 for Newcastle.

In the dead end of normal time, Fulham finally got one goal through Dempsey’s long header that beat Krul who was a little bit up too far from his post. In general, I was pleased with the lads performance today. Espeacially to see how Obertan, Cabaye and Ba are start to settle down with their new team.

Three vital points away from home, a clean sheet and our first win against them in their own yard after being defeated 4 times in our previous bids. We even should have been scored 3 or 4 goals only if Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Lovendkrands and Enrique can do better with their chances.

It was also a nice welcome start to 2011 for Alan Pardew as he can manage our side to bounced back from two straight defeats and moved up to 10th place.

The key to our win against the Latics was our domination in midfield, principally through Tiote – who was tremendous – and Barton, although Nolan also put in a good shift. Jonas was better than of late, but still infuriating.

We also defended better in the 2nd half despite them having more possession, and Harper didn’t have a single save to make. Colo was our best defender, but he does take risks.

Incredibly important victory in the context of our season, but a bliddy nightmare to watch.

As one of the Toon Army I hope we can win the game, and the signs for it emerged when Carroll took the advantage from the Blues poor defending, it was the moment of joy from this game and nothing is called luck there, it’s pure skill that lead to Carroll’s goal.

After that goal, we have shown to the world that this young team can compete against any team in the top flight, only a matter of time and good financial back-up from the club owner can make this team more solid.

Playing with 4-4-2 formation is a good decision from Chris Hughton, with one of our striker often playing a bit deeper to support our midfielders. Without Nolan and Barton, I give CH two thumbs up for his brave decision to play with two strikers up front against a team like Chelsea, while any other managers would have playing with 5 defensive midfielders.

The return of Steven Taylor in center to pairing with Sol Campbell has produced a nice result. We are now have the perfect back-up for Williamson-Coloccini pairs, also a good credit from me for our both wing-back for making several good penetration into the opponent side.

Are we in perfect performance today? I must say we didn’t. I noticed couple of errors from the lads, and thank God, the Blues are also far from a better team against us today.

Ameobi should have more better understanding with Carroll, both our front men have some moments of where they are too often being in the same side or battle for the same ball. We can increase our lead in the first half instead of being levelled if Ameobi can be more creative in front of the goal.

Danny Guthrie also showing good, although still needs more game before he can reach his peak again. Gutierrez is a little bit lazy and couple of times only waiting for the ball instead of keep moving on to pick the ball.

Tiote and Routledge also in good shape today, especially Routledge who has one perfect moment to score. Hughton will have a headache to make a choice between him and Barton when he’s return from suspension.

All in all, I’m quite satisfied for the result, we are keeping the track right and really can’t wait for January transfer window to open, I hope Mike Ashley willing to splash the cash in to bring some of CH potential targets to St. James’ Park.

Until then, and thanks for coming to this site. Howay the Lads!

We started rather tentatively, and although never under any real pressure, didn’t turn on the class until after the first goal went in. From then on the confidence started to flow – over-confidence at times – and the result was never then in doubt.

Coloccini mirrored this progression perfectly. As usual, he started tentatively, allowing his man to bully him. But then after 20 mins or so he seemed to realise that he was actually a better player than his striker and the confidence seemed to flood back.

Towards the end of the first half, under real pressure, he flicked the ball up and over his opponent who ended up flat on his @rse while FC calmly trapped the ball and brought it away. That’s by far the best thing I’ve seen from this guy, and it had me wondering whether there may actually be a player under that curly mop – at least at this level.

We defended better than last week, but against poorer opposition, although over-confidence caused us to give several soft corners away in the 2nd half. Harper had very little to do – I don’t think he made a single save. Taylor gave another strong performance in what tragically looks like being his farewell to SJP. Very sad.

We controlled m/f, and with it the game. Barton was in and out, but still contrived to play several terrific passes. Smith again patrolled the space in front of the back 4 to good effect, and after managing to get himself booked for two wild challenges he settled down and had another powerful game.

Shola was Shola, but this time scored 3 goals. His first was a slightly mistimed header from a brilliant cross from Enrique, his 2nd a superb diving header back across the keeper at the end of a thrilling passing move and another tremendous cross, this time from Barton. The 3rd was a calmly converted penalty given for handball – about the first decision that went our way.

A good atmosphere created by a small crowd, and a comfortable win – achieved against the backdrop of some anti-Ashley chanting and culminating in what looked like the sad goodbyes of one of our own.

Sadly, NUFC has returned to being a selling club, with Steven Taylor seemingly preparing to trod the path previously taken by Waddle, Beardsley and Gazza.