Keep it going Joe, You’re doing just fine

Posted by: Clarky · October 20, 2008

A really heartening fightback that was full of effort and tenacity, if perhaps a little short on high level skills, after yet another PL game had been shaped by a Referee’s impulsive folly. Not for the first time, and I suspect not for the last, tonight’s culprit was Rob Styles.

Despite Mr Styles ruining another game with a flawed major decision, we came from behind and came close to taking all three points that perhaps would have been deserved in the full context of the entire 95 minutes.

On about 15 minutes, when running through on goal Robinho was superbly tackled from behind by Beye, who cleanly won the ball with Robinho then falling over the defenders leg. Graham Poll on Setanta at HT said “just because the defender wins the ball doesn’t mean it isn’t a penalty”.

If that statement is true the game has changed beyond recognition, and the authorities need to think again, because such a crass interpretation of an entirely non-violent tackle is taking superb defending right out of the game.

We worked out way back into the game through sheer physical effort, and for a good spell in the 2nd half took the game to Citeh. Sadly, (some of) the legs inevitably started running out towards the end and Citeh’s one really incisive move lead to the equaliser.

Given the shambles he inherited, Joe Kinnear has done a quite amazing job of lifting chins and getting this lot playing for each other, and Newcastle United again. Not only that, our defending was vastly improved tonight, with all four five defenders turning in solid performances.

Bassong was perhaps the shakiest, seeming to lack a little in self-confidence tonight. On the other hand, I thought Coloccini had his best game yet for the Toon, and Taylor supported him well. Butt and Guthrie absolutely worked their socks off, and although Shola got the official MOTM Award, personally I thought Guthrie possibly shaded it.

Ameobi battled Citeh’s two big center-backs and kept them busy all night. It as a heartening performance from the lad, and he took his goal pretty well too. He got a deserved standing ovation when he was subbed, and the booboys were noticeably silent tonight.

A point when it could have been three, but another heartening performance to which the crowd responded in full measure, although perhaps Mr Styles was partly responsible for getting the crowd into the game.

Tags: manchester city, match review, Newcastle United

This entry was posted on Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 11:22 pm and is filed under Game Review, Habib Beye, Joe Kinnear. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed, or trackback from your own site.