february 9th
19.26 – Newcastle 1-1 Arsenal (Henry)
On the face of it, a point at St James Park is a good result. But on a day when Man Utd were held at home by Citeh, and you’re playing against 10 men for most of the second half, it’s a bit disappointing.
However, Newcastle aren’t where they are in the table by accident, and to have gone from being a side that came to Highbury and defended with 11 men behind the ball a couple of seasons ago, to the well drilled, attacking team like they are now is nothing short of remarkable. Credit to Bobby Hundreds.
Arsenal took the lead with Thierry’s 18th league goal of the season. It was a lovely pass from Wiltord, but our number 11 is looking less and less like the player he was at the start of the season. Freddie can’t come back too soon if you ask me.
Dennis took flak from the crowd for Robert’s sending off, but quite how anyone can have any sympathy for him is beyond me. A definite yellow card for the foul on Lauren, and I don’t think he’d have been booked for blocking the free kick if he hadn’t then gone and hammered the ball as hard as he could at one of our players. It’s odd that watching on Sky, neither Andy Gray or Martin Tyler mentioned that. As usual, Shearer was fouling, holding, niggling and moaning like the bitch he is. Jeffers, Parlour and van Bronckhorst came on but contributed little. Newcastle defended well and could have nicked it at the end but for a marvellous save from Seaman after Bellamy’s cross had been deflected. It was one of those ‘Oh bollox, it’s not going to loop over him’ moments. Thankfully Seamo was up to it.
Lauren and Ashley Cole both picked up bookings which mean they’ll more than likely be suspended for the game against Charlton. In Lauren’s case, that might not be a bad thing. So, the gap at the top stays at 3 points.
