Kevin Keegan’s side finally surrender by a one man show Emmanuel Adebayor. They must have been doing some diplomacy with the FA to secure their lethal striker still available for today’s match.
It would have been a different result if the FA put the charges to both Adebayor and Bendtner for their violent conduct while they play in the League Cup against Spurs. But for Newcastle United, it was clear that we still far from being the same class with King Kev’s 1990’s squad.
For the first 45 minutes, I think we have played quite good, with couple of decent chances to score against them. Alan Smith could have scored his first goal for Newcastle in the 14th minute, but his first time volley was not headed clear by Gael Clichy from the goal-line.
Steven Taylor’s great chance on the half hour mark when he found himself clear from Arsenal’s defender but his header was gone a bit high over Lehmann’s crossbar.
Damien Duff and James Milner both working hard to create some good crosses into the home side penalty area, with one of them found Owen’s left footed effort but the ball was going wide off the goal.
The home side almost took the lead on the injury time when Abou Diaby’s dipping 20-yard strike over the woodwork by Given’s fingertips.
On the second half, the home team change their tactic by playing wide to open the United’s defence. It was prove to be the key of their success today. Newcastle’s defence was being separated after working almost perfect in the first half.
If we haven’t got Cacapa excellent performance, we may have suffered more goals. He is just unlucky to receive the only one yellow card on this game.
Adenayor scores his first after adavncing from the rebound of Eduardo’s effort who hit the far post. It should have been off-cleared the danger zone if the United defenders are not looking at the same ball but do nothing to it. His second was a brilliant effort and it was a well taken goal. Taylor couldn’t stop it, as the shot was in full speed.
Newcastle United rarely have the chance on this half period, Owen and Smith was almost unemployed for most of the rests of 30 minutes after Adebayor’s first goal. And the nightmare is completed with Nicky Butt’s own goal in the dying minutes.
Kevin Keegan made all the substitutions in the last quarter of the game. Keegan Brings in Rozehnal to replace Enrique and Kazenga Lua-lua in for Damien Duff.
TEAM LINE UP:
Arsenal FC: Jens Lehmann, Abou Diaby (Gilberto, 76), Cesc Fabregas, Philippe Senderos, Tomas Rosicky (Eduardo, 9), William Gallas (c), Mathieu Flamini, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Adebayor, Justin Hoyte, Theo Walcott (Alexander Hleb, 76) Subs: Lukasz Fabianski, Nicklas Bendtner
Newcastle United FC: Shay Given, Stephen Carr, Jose Enrique (David Rozehnal, 76), Claudio Cacapa, Steven Taylor, Nicky Butt, Charles N’Zogbia, James Milner, Damien Duff (Kazenga LuaLua, 82), Michael Owen (c), Alan Smith Subs: Steve Harper, David Edgar, Andy Carroll
Referee: Martin Atkinson Attendance: 60, 046
Good effort, I’d say. But we’re not quite there, and it’s reality…
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