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Match date:

0202 February

Newcastle  United

Bolton Wanderers

3

2

Scorers: Shearer (2) Bellamy

Scorers: Gardner, Southall

The Toon had to fight hard against today’s visitors Bolton Wanderers, to ensure they kept the pressure on table leaders Man United. The Trotters themselves desperate for points to lift them away from the foot of the table were unlucky not to get at least a point from today’s game. The Toon settled the quicker and had efforts from Dabizas and Robert go close, however the visitors took the lead when  Ricardo Gardner dispossessed McClen and cracked a shot past the helpless Shay Given as the ball hit the post and went in.

Minutes later, the Toon were awarded a bizarre indirect free kick a yard inside the box, when match official David Elleray penalised Jaaskelainen for holding onto the ball longer than six seconds. The big Finnish keeper, argued that he could not distribute the ball because he was being obstructed by Toon man of the match Shearer.  Solano pushed the ball to the Toon Skipper who thumped the ball into the back of the net on 23 mins to level the score.

This seemed to fire the visitors up even more, Bolton had a couple of half-chances as the Toon found it hard to deal with set pieces especially corners all afternoon. It was from one of these plays Ricketts could have scored, but for the intervention of Distin playing in the left back roll. However, the ball only went as far as  Southall who struck a thunderous first-time shot which, flew past Given who had no chance of stopping it 2-1 to Bolton . In this end to end action packed game the Toon went in search of the equalisier, but would have been 3-1 down if not for the ever improving Given. The Toon did then equaliser 2 mins from half time when that man Shearer got on the end of an Aaron Hughes cross to head the ball into the net.

After the break it was all Newcastle, and it was a rare headed goal from Craig Bellamy that put them in front.

Late in the game a superb move from the Toon did see the ball in the net for goal number four, but Bellamy was juged to be just off side. The Toon had to work hard today for the 3 points, and were rewarded by moving into second spot 2 points behind the leaders Man United. But with agame in handthe Toon are still in the Title race and are agood bet at 20/1.

Toon Bookings: None

Toon Star Player: Shearer

Match date:

3030 January

Tottenham Hotspur

1

Newcastle    United 

3

Scorers: Iverson

Scorers: Acuna, Shearer, Bellamy

Second half Goals from Acuna, Shearer and Bellamy rocked Spurs making it 2 out of 2 for the Toon in the Smog. The goals came in an unbelievable 11 second-half minutes, after the Toon were 1-0 down at the break. Iverson gave the home team the lead after 17 mins.  Spurs should have converted their chances but could only manage the slender lead of one goal at the break.

The Toon came out guns blazing and produced an excellent second half of football to punished Hoddle's side for failing to make their first-half dominance count. This means with Manchester, Arsenal, and Liverpool all winning the Toon are still in the race at the top of the table.

Frenchman Robert was the difference in the second half coming on in the 46 min for Robbie Elliott. The pace of the Toon had Spurs in all sorts of trouble and in the 67min. Acuna headed the equaliser. Bellamy produced some excellent work minutes later and Toon captain Alan Shearer put the visitors in the lead. Bellamy sealed the win with a well worked third goal poking the ball past the helpless Sullivan.

Toon Bookings: Distin

Toon Star Player: Bellamy

Match date:

27 January

Peterborough    United 

2

Newcastle    United 

4

Scorers: O’Brien (OG) Farrell

Scorers:O’Brien, McClen Shearer (pen) Hughes

Peterborough United gave the Toon a run for their money coming back from  2-0 down togive every Geordie fan an agonising last 20 minutes. The game was given the all clear when referee Barry checked the pitch and said it was playable.

Andy O'Brien put the visitors into the lead from close range after Man of the Match Distin headed down Solano's corner in the 14th minute.

Peterborough nearly levelled the score minutes later through Leon McKenzie, who had a clear shot at goal from the edge of the area, through poor defending on a treacherous pitch, but the striker's low effort went a yard to the left of Shay Given's goal. Newcastle made it 2-0 on 43 minutes when Jamie McClen put the ball past Tyler from a set piece, lifting the ball over the top of Tyler after he had been found by Hughes's pass from the right.

The Posh had shown great commitment and did not deserve to be 2-0 at halftime. Bobby Robson's must have known that this tie was far from over, his players. immediatly after the break came out trying to get the killer goal. The Toon were very unlucky not to have had been awarded a penalty when Williams tripped Bernard following a scramble in the box 1n the first two minutes of the restart.

A move from Peterborough, which started in their own half with some very attractive football put them right back in the game when, a cross from the right by Andy Clarke found Andy O’Brien who headed past his own keeper.  Bellamy was guilty of missing two opportunities on the hour to give the Toon a 2 goal advantage but was unable to convert these, mainly due to the condition of the pitch.

Plucky Peterborough made United pay in the 68th minute when David Farrell was picked out by Clarke on the half-way line, with yet another precision pass, allowing him to thunderbolt a left-footed shot from the edge of the area past the helpless Shay Given. 

Peterborough should have taken the lead in the 77th minute had Shay Given not produced a magnificent save from Neale Fenn. On 83 minutes McKenzie was harshly adjudged to have handled in the area in the 83rd minute, and Alan Shearer put the visitors back into the lead, and he thumped the ball past Tyler. Aaron Hughes headed past Tyler almost immediately from a Wayne Quinn cross (On for Bernard). The Toon were now through to round five, even though the score flattered the visitors.   Distin was man of the match for the Toon with another very impressive display

Toon Bookings: Acuna

Toon Star Player: Distin

Match date:

19 January

Leicester City 

0

Newcastle    United 

0

Scorers:

Scorers:

The Toon lost ground on table-toppers Manchester United this afternoon as they could only manage a goalless draw with bottom club LeicesterCity. Itwas the home team that looked like title contenders as the Toon had a day off.

The Magpies did not perform as a team that is second in the Premiership and were very slow out of the traps and could have been 2-0 by halftime. Dabizas blocked superbly a Muzzy Izzet volley, and James Scowcroft failed to test Shay Given.  The Magpies looked out of sorts in the first half and their only chance of this half falling to the head of Speed, who could only guide his effort over the bar.

However, the Toon found their way and in the second period and Frenchman Robert had two long range efforts, and only an outstanding save from Flowers, (who had earlier replaced the injured Ian Walker) denied Kieron Dyer from putting the visitors into the lead.

Shearer then missed the chance of the game when he headed a seven-yard effort wide, when it looked easier to score as he had left his marker in no mans land..

The Toon gave all in search of a winner and heaped the pressure late on in a bid to force the winner. Gary Speed saw a long-range effort well saved by Flowers as The Foxes held on for a point.

Robson will be disappointed not to have kept the pressure on Manchester United at the top. The Toon are still in second place, two points behind Alex Ferguson's side and with Liverpool meeting Manchester on Tuesday the Scousers may well give the Magpies a Huge lift.

Toon Bookings: Solano, Distin

Toon Star Player:  Dyer

Match date:

12 January

Newcastle    United 

3

Leeds United

1

Scorers: Duberry (O.G.) Dyer, Bellamy

Scorers: Smith

Newcastle are back on the top of the Premiership continuing their excellent record against Leeds. A bizarre own goal by Michael Duberry and goals from Kieron Dyer and Craig Bellamy saw the Toon come from a shock 25 second goal by Alan Smith to win quite comfortably, taking them back to the top for at least 24 hours.

The Toon shook off the shock of falling behind to the quickest Premiership goal of the season less than half-a-minute after kick-off. Woodgate's clearance fell to Smith on the halfway line and his lay-off was headed on by Mark Viduka, the Leeds front man raced clear before burying a powerful shot low passed  Shay Given's right.

Newcastle pressed hard and allowed Leeds one shot on target for the remainder of the first-half that showed just why the Toon are right into contention for the title.   Shearer really should have scored for the sixth Premiership match in succession but his header from a Nol Solano's inswining free-kick hit the post from a matter of inches out, before Newcastle deservedly were level - due to a slice of luck.

Bellamy, who had been booked for diving, which on reoplay was the worst decision of the day by Barber swung a ball in from the right, Kieron Dyer glanced it on, Solano failed to make full contact in the air the and the ball cannoned off Duberry and flew past a helpless Nigel Martyn to level the score 1-1.

The Toon could have been 2-1 straight after the restart as the ever menacing Bellamy broke clear but blasted straight at Martyn.   Bellamy was to make amends on 58 minutes, with a big part in Dyer's first goal for almost a year, controlling Solano's diagonal ball on his chest the ball went to the midfielder sliding a sweet left-foot finish in for the lead.    Mills, then did his side no favours with a childish kick at Bellamy that had O'Leary fuming in the dugout. This was the second time  the right-back has been  sent off for the second time this season the other occasion being against the Gunners .

As often the case Mills sending off seemed to hearten Leeds and they could easily have drawn level. Viduka cut inside two men but saw his effort parried by Given, who dived on the loose ball to stop Smith scoring his second from the rebound.

Newcastle kept pushing for a third and were rewarded when Bellamy was sent clear two minutes from time and slotted smoothly past Martyn to take the Toon back to the top.

Toon Bookings: Bellamy, Robert, Dabizas

Toon Star Player: Bellamy still running

Match date:

January 05

Newcastle    United 

2

Scorers: Shearer, Acuna

Crystal Palace

0

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson was taking no chances and sent out the best possible team available against the Eagles.  Both Robert and Lee  failed to make the team due to slight knocks allowing Frenchman Olivier Bernard to start.

Palace started well opting for a 3-4-3 formation with Morrison, Kirovski and Gray as the spearhead of their attack. These tactics nearly paid of for newly appointed Eagles Manager Trevor Francis as the visitors almost snatched the lead with less than three minutes gone.

The visitors oozed confidence as the Toon found it difficult on the poor surface. However the Toon found their way and went close on 13 minutes through a Nolberto Solano's free-kick which, flew off a Palace players head and went just wide. The Toons defence had to be on the ball, when just after the Quarter hour mark Kirovski found space on the right hand side of the United penalty area, Dabizas slid in to cut out the driven cross.

United looked certain to go in front after Palace Keeper Kolinko raced from his line in an attempt to hold up Toon live wire Bellamy in the right corner of the pitch but could not prevent the little Welshman from getting in his cross. Bernard controlled well and drove in his shot, but the Latvian 'keeper managed to get back across to palm the ball away.

Five minutes before the break the Toon took the lead when the Eagles were penalised for handball 19 yards out. Solano rolled the free-kick to Alan Shearer, who smashed a screamer past the helpless Palace keeper, keeping his remarkable tally of  a game in each of the last six games.

Palace thought they were back on terms when Morrison ran on to Steve Thomson's pass and beat Toon Keeper Given, only for an offside flag to ruin his celebrations, which on the replay was seen to have been a harsh decision.

Toon midfielder Gary Speed game came to a premature end when he limped off to be replaced by Clarence Acuna.

Newcastle were starting to run the show and Shearer was denied a second goal by an offside flag On 75 minutes, Bernard saw his strike chalked off for another offside decision, minutes later, Acuna settled the tie when he powered his way into the box after Hughes' tackle on Popovic gave him the ball.

The Chilean midfielder lifted his shot over Kolinko and in off the underside of the bar to end the brave challenge of the First Division side.

Game over the Toons name was in the hat for the next round.

Toon Bookings: Distin

Toon Star Player: Shearer

Match date:

02 January

Manchester United

Newcastle  United

3

1

Van Nistelrooy, Scholes (2)

Shearer

Alex Ferguson's side took the lead with a close-range header on 24 minutes. The Toon started brightly, with the Magpies mounting their first real attack after 2 mins. A Nolberto Solano corner was floated into the path of Alan Shearer, who nodded the ball down to Gary Speed. The Welsh skipper controlled well, but his shot lacked power and Fabien Barthez saved easily. Neville fouled Bellamy on 17 minutes presented Big French defender Sylvain Distin with an opportunity at far post, but he failed to make a connection with the free kick.

Dyer lost the ball in the Manchester corner and a swift attacking move, helped by some Sunday league defending by Elliott and Distin allowed a simple header from Van Nistelrooy beat Given from close range.Robson's side were unlucky not to have a scoring opportunity two minutes later, as Dyer flicked Solana’sBarthez had to be alert on 40 minutes as Gary Speed controlled a header from Alan Shearer, but his shot lacked power and was comfortably saved.

The Toon continued to press for the equaliser, and were then unlucky not to level things up on 42 minutes when Nobby Solano harshly had a goal ruled out. The Peruvian used his strength to get away from his marker and spectacularly nodded a left-wing cross into the top-left corner of the net, but referee Peter Jones disallowed it for the challenge on Silvestre.

After the break Manchester United were quickly into their stride in the second half, and they soon doubled their advantage as Scholes swept the ball low under the diving Shay Given.

Solano then became the game's second booking a minute later (51min), before Bellamy won a free kick in a dangerous position. Scholes. then added a third, Roy Keane broke down the right before flashing the ball across goal, leaving the England midfielder with an easy tap-in at the far post.

Dwight Yorke replaced Nistelrooy. To the delight of all Toon fans as he was always a threat. Captain Alan Shearer headed in and Newcastle finally got something to show for their entire honest endeavour.

Robbie Elliott swung over a cross from the left, and Shearer out-jumped Gary Neville to glance the ball into the top right corner. Newcastle made a double substitution, bringing on Shola Ameobi and Olivier Bernard for Bellamy and Solano. But this was far to late, despite the Magpies' best efforts, there was to be no further change in the score line. defence-splitting pass into the path of Bellamy, but the Welsh international was harshly adjudged to be offside.

Toon Bookings: Solano

Toon Star Player:  Shearer

Match Date

29 December

Newcastle    United 

1

Scorers: Shearer

Chelsea

2

Scorers: Gunjohnson (2)

This defeat continued our bad run of results against the Londoners this season, following defeats by West Ham, Tottenham, Fulham and now Chelsea mean 12 out of the fifteen lost all season have gone against London based clubs.  

Newcastle's started quickly and Craig Bellamy, having the best of the chances, Gary Speed turned sharply to distribute a neat ball over the top for Bellamy, but the pass was over-hit and Cudicini raced out to gather the ball ahead of United's striker. Then when Bellamy got in front of his defender and shot at goal, it took a world class one-handed save from Chelsea's Italian 'keeper to keep the ball out of the back of the net.

Shay Given was tested on 15 minutes as Le Saux hit the ball to Hasselbaink, but the Dutchman shot straight at Given, who collected easily.

Bellamy, again raced onto the ball to round Gallas. The Frenchman seemed to obstruct the Magpies frontman, but referee Steve Bennett was not convinced.

Shay Given was forced into a save on 19 minutes after a Hasselbaink cross was met by Frank Lampard, but the England midfielder's shot was tame and Given dealt with it easily.

Minutes later, Gudjohnsen picked up a Stanic flick-on on, and fired across the keeper, by far the best chance to break the dead lock just missing Givens far-right hand post.

Both sides continued to pile forwards at every opportunity, and a mazy run past three defenders by Graeme Le Saux came to nothing for the visitors.

But it was Eidur Gudjohnsen who broke the deadlock on 36 minutes, after a counter attack quickly out running Andy O'Brien before coolly sliding the ball past Given.

It took Newcastle just two minutes to level after Kieron Dyer was fouled by John Terry Solano took the resulting free-kick and the ball fell to an unmarked Shearer, to head home for his fourth goal in four games.

Gudjohnsen gave the visitor the lead again when he squeezed between two defenders to slide the ball under Given on the stroke of half-time.

United continued to push forward and a chance fell to Speed on the edge of the area after Cudicini punched a clearance, but the Welsh midfielder hit the ball on the outside of his left-foot and the ball sailed over the bar.

On 59 minutes, Given was forced to save, first from Lampard and the three minutes later from a curled Gudjohnsen effort.

Olivier Bernard replaced Robbie Elliott on 62 minutes, and produced a nice run down the left before crossing to Robert who released a great ball to Bellamy. But not even the Welsh whippet could get onto the end of it.

LuaLua came on for Nol Solano on 73 minutes, as United looked for an equaliser.

Chelsea were defending confidently but Terry mistimed a tackle on Shearer on the edge of the penalty area and earned himself a caution; giving away a free-kick in a great position.

With the ball lined up 10 yards outside the penalty area, Shearer took the free-kick low and drove it through the five-man wall. The ball was destined for the bottom corner, but Cudicini again made a great save.

Toon Bookings; None

Toon Star Player: Shearer

Match Date:

26 December

Newcastle    United 

3

Scorers: Shearer, Speed, Bernard

Middlesbrough

0

The Toon maintained their position at the top  of the Premiership after a wonderful display of entertaining football  against local rivals Middlesbrough. Alan  Shearer scored his tenth of the season and sixth in the last six games as  Newcastle were finally rewarded for their constant pressure in the 28th  minute.

Visitor's  defender Franck  Queudrue hit a ball straight at Shearer and United's striker looked up and  fired an effort which Mark Crossley saved well. But Shearer reacted quicker  than those around him to bury the rebound. The Toon went close several more  times during the first half, but the fans had to wait until the 57 min when Gary  Speed stooped low to head in Nolberto Solano's corner.

Bobby  Robson  made a double substitution and Robert and Solano made way for  Robert Lee and Olivier Bernard. The substitutes had an  immediate  impact on the . Dyer released Bellamy, his cross found Bernard who was in  acres of space and his left-footed drive flew past Crossley. The French man  was overjoyed as his mother had flown across as his guest to watch this  game.

Robson  replaced Dyer with Lua Lua with five minutes remaining to a standing ovation  amidst cries of "One Kieron Dyer".

And  despite the 3-0 score line, United continued to press and Shearer had a goal  disallowed in the last minute for pushing.

Toon Bookings: None

Toon Star Player: Dyer

March Date :

22 December

Leeds United

3

Scorers: Bowyer, Viduka, Harte

Newcastle  United

  4

Scorers: Bellamy, Elliot Shearer(Pen), Solano 

After epic 4-3 matches against Liverpool and always loser,  the Toon produced another 4-3 match this time against Leeds however, this  time the Toon picked up the three points that ensured they were top of the  Premiership.

 Leeds started well and really should have been well in front but for some  poor finishing by Viduka. Again the Toon were slow out of the blocks, but to  their credit they did up the tempo after 20mins. Kewell was always a menace  and tested the Toons defence on numerous occasions. Speed should have put  the Toon in front when he headed over the bar with a clear sight of goal

 Minutes later the Toon took the lead ((38min), with a quick break away move  and the ever improving Kerion Dyer breezed passed Harte and laid an inch  perfect ball at the feet of Craig Bellamy, who smashed the ball passed Nigel  Martin. The lead was to last only 60 seconds, when total confusion by the  Toons defence allowed Bowyer to level the score. After the break Leeds  continued where they left off and surged ahead on the (50 min) when Viduka  turned well and fired his shot passed Given. Viduka who was lucky to still  be on the pitch after only receiving a yellow card for his horror tackle on  Dabizas, who had to be strechered off and play take no further part. Things  got worse when Harte picked up a miss-hit shot by Bowyer and rifled the ball  past Given.

 The Toon then set about a miraculous come bake , Martin could only palm  Kerion Dyer's shot away and Elliotts diving header made it 3-2. Newcastle  were awarded their second penalty of the week when Mr Winter judged Harte to  handle in the box. Shearer smashed the ball passed Martin 3-3, the Toon were  finishing the stronger and in the 90 minute Solano latched onto Bellamy’s  through ball and placed a perfect shot into the left corner.  Lua Lua broke away in the 5 minute of injury time and should have hit the  target but shot well over, had he seen the run of Dyer the score would  almost certainly been increased. 

Toon Bookings: Elliott

Toon Star Player: Dyer

Match date:

18 December

Arsenal

1 

Scorers: Pires

Newcastle  United

  3

Scorers: O’Brien, Shearer (Pen), Robert

On the night the Toon had their first Victory  in the capital for 29 games, the abiding memory of this Highbury drama will  be the actions of Graham Poll the match Official. The official was guilty of  failing to spot a handball seconds before Arsenals opener, two poor  decisions regarding red cards and awarding a late penalty.

Arsenal went straight for the Toon and in the first 30 minutes played some  breath taking football and really should have had the game won in this  period. However, having already booked Parlour for dissent he dismissed the  Arsenal man for a clumsy challenge on Shearer in the 39th min. Shearer  pleaded with Poll not to punish Parlour but, the official was upholding the  letter of the law. The Toon went in at half-time behind. Robson made changes  in the 58 min bringing on Lua Lua (Solano- Robert (Elliott) this brought an  instant reward with O'Brien heading the equaliser from a set piece on the 60  min. The Toon had up the tempo and then Live wire Bellamy turned Ashley  Cole, however he slightly caught the defender with his arm and Cole went  down as if shot by a sniper in the crowd. the Arsenal man was guilty of over  acting which, resulted in a straight red for Bellamy.

Both teams down to ten men the game was wide open and in the 86 minute  Campbell tackled Robert from behind when in the box,. Although Television  replays show Campbell touched the ball Poll again in accordance to the law  awarded the Toon a spot Kick. Campbell was the last man and should have  received a red but was cautioned with only a yellow.

 Shearer converted the spot kick to record his first goal against the Gunners  at Highbury. Arsenal came in search of an equaliser, but were caught out  when Lua Lua picked out Robert with a wonderful pass and the Frenchman had a  clear run on goal which he finished superbly game over.

Toon Bookings: O’Brien Bellamy

Toon Star Player O’Brien

Match Date:

15 December

Newcastle United

2 

Scorers: Bernard, Speed

Blackburn  Rovers

  1

Scorers: Dunn

Yet another programmed visit by S.W.O.T.A.  members turns to joy as they witnessed the Toon put in an average  performance yet gain all Three points. the Toon were well in command when a  quick counter attack by Blackburn resulted in Dunn bungling the ball over  the line after a shot from Tugay was pushed onto the bar by Shay Given. 

Newcastle came back strongly, but their only serious effort was an Aemobi  header that flashed well wide of the Rovers post. United needed a lift and  with the introduction of Dyer for Lee at the restart of the second half was  just the tonic. dyers arrival did pep up the midfield which, resulted in  ever improving Frenchman Bernard heading inches wide. Then Bernard conjured  up the equaliser with a delightful, low drive from 20 yards after being set  up by Nolberto Solano.

Before long the Toon went ahead after Solana's over hit cross was headed on  by Shearer to find Elliott on the left side of the box. Elliott deep cross  to the back post was met by Speed and his looping header dipped over Rovers  Keeper Friedel to give the Toon the points.

Toon Bookings: None

Toon Star Player: Distin