Although we aren’t the better team on fist-half against the team that according to history was the team that would find it hard to win at our own land, but the Lads showed great determination to win the sixth wins against them in our Premier League matches.

They’ve two victory on the road while coming to St. James’ Parkand we know that they are desperate to make it a hattrick today, but their Houdini’s magic didn’t work out against JFK’s boys.

With Martins misses out because of the groin injury, Joe Kinnear recalled Shola Ameobi to partner Michael Owen. Damien Duff and Steven Taylor both are settle for a place on United bench.

Newcastle only need 11 minutes to the first lead from Given’s free-kick that releasing Charles N’Zogbia clear. The visitors trying to block him out through Essou-Ekotto but he can’t stop him as Zog brushed aside the Frenchman before scoring with his right-foot past Spurs Brazilian goalkeeper Gomes.

After couple of Spurs efforts to level the game back, United are start to enjoying the majority of the attacking possession. But, from a little mistake by Enrique who fails to cover Luka Modric behind the United backline, the visitors finallt get into the level term in 28 minutes.

There were shouts for offside from United defenders but the scoreline stays. Buoyed by their leveller Spurs trying to put the pressure on us, where Ameobi has to be replaced by Viduka after picked up an injury a minute later.

We did quite well and showing an improvement in the second period as Viduka beginning to exert his influence on the game with all other United’s players are trying to find him at every opportunity.

In the 71 minute, N’Zogbia worked space on the left, pass a low ball to the near post where Viduka to guide the delivery into the path of Owen who fires it left-footed over the crossbar from just eight yards out.

And when the game gets inside the last 10 minutes, the visitors beginning to try to steal the lead with their best chance come from Bentley’s lob into the penalty area for Campbell to heads it high and wide of Given’s target.

Seeing that Spurs finding the weakness of our side through Enrique, Joe Kinnear reacts and take him off to make way for Damien Duff in the last 3 minutes of normal time. It was one of the best decision from JFK today.

Beginning from his slips a forward pass into the feet of Mark Viduka who didn’t waste no time to backheels it back to the Irishman, Duffer finds his low finish past Gomes from eight yards gives United a very late lead and three points in the pocket.

TEAMS
NEWCASTLE UNITED FC:
Shay Given, Habib Beye, Jose Enrique, Sebastien Bassong, Fabricio Coloccini, Danny Guthrie, Nicky Butt, Jonas Gutierrez, Charles N’Zogbia, Shola Ameobi, Michael Owen (c)
Subs: Steve Harper, Damien Duff, Geremi, Steven Taylor, David Edgar, Mark Viduka, Andy Carroll

TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS FC:
Gomes, Didier Zokora, David Bentley, Tom Huddlestone, Aaron Lennon, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Luka Modric, Michael Dawson, Verdan Corluka, Ledley King (c), Benoit Assou-Ekotto
Subs: Gareth Bale, Chris Gunter, Fraizer Campbell, Adel Taarabt, Cesar Sanchez, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Jamie O’Hara

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 47, 982

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In an interview, Damien Duff said last week in an unprovoked assertion that practice sessions under the new manager had become more harder and intense.

“I know Big Sam used to say that we were the fittest around, but I think we were far from it,” United winger said. “I don’t think we were the fittest when the new gaffer came in.”

The previous manager, who was parted by United chairman last January, responded to Duff words as criticism of his working practices. “There was nothing wrong with the match fitness when I was there, so I think that’s a little bit of an excuse,” he said. “Sometimes fitness is a mental thing and I think mental fatigue can hit the players more than anything else.”

I can see he is telling the truth, and agree that his former employers are in the match fitness according to his style of play which is not needed more energy to achieved. I don’t think any Newcastle players need to make more running in each of United game under the old boss who loves to play long-ball, and that’s why there’s no need harder practice in training like what Keegan now dispatch to the lads.

Since Keegan took charge, no argue that Newcastle first half performance was brilliant. The lads do more running through the field, playing nice one-two passes and chasing the ball more often. But then, in the second half, their performance was dropped as their match fitness was not fit enough into Keegan’s attacking style of play.

I admit that I only see one live Newcastle game, against Aston Villa last month. I can see we’re doing great and leading into half time with Michael Owen’s goal. Then in the second half, we can not repeat our first half performance and were thrashed out by four goals.

Back to Damien’s interview, quoted from Times Online, Keegan just saying that his predecessor was perhaps “coming from a different angle”. Keegan was also pointed out that “my way is for players to train quite hard” and made the observation that a lack of confidence was palpable on Tyneside.

“If Duff thinks the training is harder, then wait until pre-season,” Keegan said. At this point I believe in his way to develop the new fitness standard for each of Newcastle United players. They are being too lazy under the old boss and now its time to wake them up and training even more harder to save our Premierships status.

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Report from the Irish Soccer site, Duff said that Stephen has the experience we need at the moment. He also commenting on the Toon Army criticism of Carr’s injury prone as something that Stephen hasn’t moaned about, but he keep working hard on things. Duffy still believe Carr will always give 100% for this club.

“Stephen has been great. He only has until the summer until his contract expires, but as a friend and a player I’d love him to stay.” Damien said, “I know he’s had his injury problems at Newcastle, like I have, but he is a great person to have around and most of the players would agree with that.”

Carr’s current deal at United will expires at the end of the season, and I think with his injury trouble, Keegan will see that there is no reason why he should renewed his Magpies contract. But in the meantime, until we find any player to replace him, I still see Carr is worth to sit on the bench.

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Duff has praised gaffer Sam Allardyce on the official site for his positive attitude during difficult period for the Magpies. Big Sam and his players have found themselves back in increasing pressure following United’s disappointing return over the festive programmes.

From a possible of nine points, Newcastle only can collect 1 point from a draw against Derby at home, while on the boxing day fixture, the Magpies failed again to breakdown bad records. For most of the last 10 years, Newcastle was never had any win games on Boxing day while playing away.

Duff said how Big Sam is reacting positively after the Man City game. He said “Let’s stick together”, which is what we have to do. The Irish winger admits United situation over the past few weeks haven’t gone smoothly, he’s concerned about it, everyone is, and the gaffer included.

“We are working hard to put it right. He’s a good man. We are all desperate for him to do well and the team.” Duff added, “We are all going to stick together.”

Duff is also believe that Newcastle have the ability to win something in the coming seasons if it was not this year. He knows United are having a long way to go to the same level as Arsenal or Manchester United, but he want Newcastle to get back challenging for the Champions League.

“We’ve got players who belong in the top six – we have one of England’s greatest ever strikers – and I know the manager is looking to strengthen.” Damien said, “Top players belong at Newcastle. I asked for a five-year contract when I signed. I’ve only had three clubs in my career and I want to keep it that way.”

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I really think the lads will needed one when they arrive for Saturday’s game at Stamford Bridge – a ground where we have never won from previously 14 visits in the Premier League. After that United’s next four away League games are against the Top team Manchester United, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool, with an optional “easy one” in the third round of the FA Cup at Stoke City on January 6th.

Those games are when we will be without Oba Martins, Geremi, Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye as they will be heading to the African Nations Cup. To anticipate the departures, Allardyce has confirmed that Alan Smith will took the duty to skippering Newcastle United.

“It’s a permanent decision for now because obviously Geremi is going away to the African Nations,” said Allardyce. “We need to establish for a while somebody who can captain the side on a regular basis with the attitude, desire and commitment that Alan shows.”

Smudger will lead the United team again when they take on Chelsea tomorrow. Newcastle will try to break their solid home records where they are having a run of 72 matches unbeaten in the Premier League. Duff admits at the official site, that it won’t be easy going to former club Chelsea on the back of the Boxing Day defeat at Wigan, but says that the Magpies have to come out fighting at Stamford Bridge.

“With all due respect to Derby and Wigan, we should be beating teams like that.” Damien said as quoted from the official site, “We’re gutted and surprised because we thought we’d turned the corner with some good results. But that’s been the story of our season, we turn things around then suffer a poor result like Wigan.”

Damien said the Chelsea match can be United next turning point into something more positive result following the recent two disappointments at home and JJB Stadium. Newcastle should displays another performance just like what they did against Arsenal to win the Toon Army hearts back again.

“It’ll be nice to go back but, to be honest, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing this weekend – we have to come out fighting and give it a good go for ourselves and the fans.” Said Duff.

Tomorrow, Chelsea are without injured pair John Terry and Didier Drogba, while Ashley Cole and Ricardo Carvalho were sent off in Wednesday’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Aston Villa and face suspensions.

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