The meteoric return to prominence of Newcastle continued in week eleven of the Premier League as the Magpies defeated Everton 2-1 in front of a near capacity St James’ Park. With the result Newcastle maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign and sit third in the table, six points off first place Manchester City who they face in two weeks time after returning from the international break.

From the victory over Stoke City, Magpie manager Alan Pardew made one change to his starting eleven with former Rennes midfielder Sylvain Marveaux for the injured Gabriel Obertan. Chances were modest in the early stages until Newcastle grabbed the one-goal advantage as Danny Guthrie linked the ball to Danny Simpson on the right who then delivered a cross into the box that John Heitinga inadvertently sent into his own goal past ‘keeper Tim Howard. Down by one Everton began to show attacking vision with Jack Rodwell forcing into Tim Krul into action with a fine stop mid-point of the half and Royston Drenthe a constant menace. A minute shy of the half-hour as an attempted clearance bounded to Ryan Taylor on the left who quickly sent a dipping volley from twenty-two metres into the net off the crossbar. Quickly the contest opened up with Louis Saha rasping an effort off the woodwork whilst Ryan Taylor moments later saw his own chance bounce off the crossbar. Seven minutes shy of the break, Newcastle’s injury woes dug a bit deeper as Danny Gosling was called in against his former side as Yohan Cabaye was forced out with a groin injury. In added-time prior the break Everton notched only the eighth goal of the season against Newcastle as Royston Drenthe’s corner from nodded to the near post by Jack Rodwell to halve the margin.

After the break the Magpie’s staunch disciplined defending was keeping Everton at bay, though David Moyes’ side were lacking ingenuity and predictable for the most part going forward though the hosts also touched by a bit of fortune as a Danny Gosling was not adjudged a penalty for a handball on Louis Saha’s effort. Six minutes shy of the break, Alan Pardew’s tactical planning was put to the test as Sylvain Marveaux limped off to join Yohan Cabaye and Cheik Tiote on the injury list with Sammy Ameobi entering in a makeshift midfield but once again the Newcastle displayed a well-oiled defending line. As the contest pushed into the final twenty minutes, former l’OM man Ben Arfa entered for Leon Best and Everton’s late attacking prowess was being absorbed smoothly by Newcastle. Everton continued to press for the opening but despite their urgency it was not forthcoming as they were typically a step behind and one touch too many behind the Mapgies. As the final whistle sounded the Toon Army rejoiced as the 2-1 victory for Newcastle served as another chapter in their stunning return to prominence.

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Newcastle’s remarkable unbeaten start to the campaign continued with Demba Ba’s hat-trick leading the Magpies to a 3-1 defeat of Blackburn at St James’ Park in match-day six of the Premier League. With the result Newcastle holds down fourth in the table, highlighted by the leagues stingiest defending front, whilst Blackburn sits a point above the basement.

In front of 46,000 plus, the Magpies came out intent on ending the Rovers recent run of success on Tyneside, serving up notice from man of the match Demba Ba early. After teasing Blackburn goalkeeper Paul Robinson early, Newcastle took the lead three minutes shy of the hour as Demba Ba latched onto Leon Best’s cross from the left before skillfully turning from Scott Dann and lashing the go-ahead goal into the net. The faithful at St James’ barely had time to sit back as only three minutes later as Danny Simpson’s long diagonal cross to the left of the area was nodded on by Steven Taylor, then Martin Olssen, with ball coming to Demba Ba six metres the right post where he headed it in. The Rovers pulled to within one eight minutes shy of the break as Martin Olssen from the left of the area pulled the ball back to Canadian David Hoilett who then sent a booming volley into the roof of the net.

The Rovers showed venom after the break with Martin Olsson narrowly miss with the equalizer early on, only to see his effort rasp off the bar. The match was not without its share of controversy as six minutes shy of the hour Demba Ba notched his third of the day with the Rovers launching significant protests. Via Yohan Cabaye’s cross from the left, the ball was headed to the far post by Demba Ba, with Leon Best charging forward possibly impeding Paul Robinson as the strikers third goal of the day nestled into the net. In their dispute, match day Martin Atkinson handed Martin Olsson a yellow-card for his commentary which would ultimately loom large. With twenty-one minutes remaining, Martin Olsson received his marching orders for very modest impediment of Leon Best and with Blackburn down a man chances for the equalizer would prove sparing. With the personnel advantage the defensive stronghold of Newcastle locked down the proceedings to claim the 3-1 victory

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Newcastle’s blistering start to the new campaign continued as they played host Aston Villa to a 1-1 draw, honours even in match day five of the Premier League. With the result the Magpies hold down fourth in the table, whilst Villa sits at seventh ahead of Sunday’s contests.

From last week’s draw with QPR Newcastle Alan Pardew made one change to his line-up, rewarding Demba Ba for his high energy play in lieu of Shola Ameobi. After a quick opening by Newcastle was snuffed out with some fine work by former Toon, now Villa ‘keeper Shay Given, the hosts took the lead two minutes shy of the quarter-hour. Coming via a fine cross into the box from twenty-one year-old Barry Bannan, Gabriel Agbonlahor fought off Fabricio Coloccini to fire a left-footed effort in from nine metres. Villa quickly pressed the accelerator with Charles N’Zogbia surging down the left before laying a penetrating ball for Stiliyan Petrov but his provision to Darren Bent resulted in the striker firing wide from seven metres with open goal beckoning. Shay Given continued to stand-out against his former side as he stretched out fully to push away Steven Taylor’s volley from Yohan Cabaye’s corner.

Quickly after the re-start, Newcastle breathed a sign of relief as Charles N’Zogbia’s provision to Gabriel Agbonlahor saw the goal scorer narrowly miss adding to the lead as his effort from fifteen metres drifted a fraction wide of the left post. Newcastle narrowly missed levelling with Yohan Cabaye snap shot beat Shay Given only to rasp off the cross bar but at fifty-seventh minute Leon Best highlighted his brilliant day with the equalizer. From Cheick Tioté’s diagonal cross on the left, Leon Best’s initial header was stopped by the Villa ‘keeper but he quickly sent the rebound into roof of the net. While Shay Given may not have been pleased with allowing the ball to spill out for the subsequent goal, he more that made up for it with three minutes remaining as he stretched out to his right to paw away Yohan Cabaye powerful drive that appeared destined for the net. Remaining time saw neither side able to carve out a noteworthy chance with the match concluding as a 1-1 draw, honours even.

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Ninety minutes of the Monday evening showdown in Shepherd’s Bush could not settle the outcome as Newcastle played QPR to a nil draw at Loftus Road in the final contest of match-day four of the Premier League. The result eases the Magpies occupy fourth in the table, whilst QPR settles into the eleventh spot.

QPR manager Neil Warnock was pleased to debuted his new arrivals with Anton Ferdinand, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Luke Young, Armand Traore and Joey Barton, the latter wearing the captains armband, into his starting eleven. Quick off the draw, QPR showed plenty of attacking venom with Shaun Wright-Phillips consistently the centre of the storm. Whilst the hosts were notable pushing forward, with each advance Alan Pardew’s Magpies continued their impressive defending display that has quickly made them one of the stingiest forces in the Premier League. At the quarter-hour, England international Shaun Wright-Phillips at his mercurial best on the right delivered a perfect cross for Jay Bothroyd volleyed over from point blank range. The recent arrival from Manchester City later deftly navigated over Fabricio Coloccini before sending a seeming goal bound lofted effort, only to see Steven Taylor’s nod off the line.

The second half saw the Magpies more confident with Leon Best’s sumptuous provision just beyond the reach of Jonás Gutiérrez. Shaun Wright-Phillips, now on the left, squandered a gifted chance when he could not connect on Alejandro Faurlin’s cross and the opportunities began to slow. Much of the efforts were of the low probability kind, excluding a quality late chance Shaun Derry but the thirty-three year old veteran’s header drifted off course. Following another chance from Shaun Wright-Phillips, a long distance test from twenty-three plus metres that drifted off course the contest ended as a nil draw.

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In a resourceful display, Newcastle kept within two points of the top of the table with a 2-1 victory over Fulham at St James’ Park.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, in his first contest without Joey Barton, now dealt to QPR, was further weighted down with the recent
Nile Ranger run in with authorities and the loss of Shola Ameobi to injury. The Magpies with their roster stretched bare and lacking new signings pressed forward with Peter Løvenkrands paired with Leon Best up top. The early stages were characteristic of Newcastle’s previous encounters of the early season, with play tight and the opposition rarely finding a quality sightline towards goalkeeper Tim Krul. Martin Jol’s attacking, showing its own signs of finishing problems, were lacking cohesiveness with the Clint Dempsey’s header of Danny Murphy’s free-kick the most likely of chances shy of the break.

If the opening half was subdued, the second was an avalanche of highlights as coming at the forty-eighth minute Republic of Ireland international Leon Best pounced on the rebound of Yohan Cabaye’s effort to send past Fulham ‘keeper Mark Schwarzer from close range. The Cottagers reacted quickly, with Damien Duff the chief instigator but Tim Krul was in fine form as pawed Steve Sidwell’s header over the bar in a remarkable reflex save four minutes shy of the hour. At the sixty-third minute the Toon manager summoned Demba Ba in for Peter Løvenkrands and the former 1899 Hoffenheim proved to be a constant force, possibly serving reminder of his worthiness of a place in the starting eleven. Three minutes after entering, Demba Ba received a sumptuous lofted cross from Gabriel Obertan before rifling a low cross with pace to Leon Best who somehow managed to control and fire into the net. Fulham though lacking the services of Bobby Zamora turned upon their attacking front as they looked for a way back in but consistently were met with in form Tim Krul. With two minutes remaining in regulation time, Tim Krul made his one mistake of the day as he wandered too far off his line to which Clint Dempsey headed Danny Murphy’s free kick from the left over his outstretched hands and pull Fulham to within one. However any thoughts of a grandstand finish and while Demba Ba saw a late effort to build upon the lead rasp off the woodwork Newcastle would conclude the day satisfied with a 2-1 victory.

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Without fail the Tyne-Wear derby lived up to heated expectation with Newcastle prevailing 1-0 over Sunderland courtesy of Ryan Taylor’s letter perfect free-kick just past the hour.

Entering the contest the Magpies showed steely confidence after the opening week draw with Arsenal but knew that time was wasting with the anaemic attack. Searching for attacking venom, Magpie manager Alan Pardew ushered in new signing Gabriel Obertan, fresh from Manchester United.

In front of a capacity crowd at the Stadium of Light, the Black Cats pressed forward with much of the play in their rivals half. However controversy would not escape the day for match day referee Howard Webb as Yohan Cabaye’s corner was redirected by Joey Barton towards the goal only to see Sebastian Larsson clearly block with his arm. To the shock of the Toon Army, claims for a hand ball were denied with Sunderland and Sebastian Larsson breathing another day. Former Paris Saint-Germain attacking dynamo Stéphane Sessègnon was consistent menace for Sunderland including an important stop by Newcastle ‘keeper Tim Krul seven minutes past the half-hour. Pace continued through to the break with the hosts continuing to dictate the majority of play but lacking the final touch with Newcastle’s best efforts coming from set pieces. Quite naturally, there was no love lost with challenges bordering on harsh but without either side being able to break through the match went to the break scoreless.

The early stages after the break were largely box-to-box with Sunderland’s initiative broken down by quickly by Newcastle’s resolute defending. In a moment of inspiration just past the hour Jonás Gutiérrez carved out an opening before seeing his effort denied by host ‘keeper Simon Mignolet. That point seemed to ignite the Mapgies as coming from a free-kick on the left the perfunctory point of the day was struck. With the Black-Kat ‘keeper playing too close to the near post, Ryan Taylor sent a curling effort to the opposite corner to give Newcastle the one goal advantage. Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, not seeing his side muster much of the advance, added Craig Gardner and Dong-Won Ji for Ahmed Elmohamady and Kieran Richardson with just under twenty minutes remaining, gradually turning up the heat. With a minute remaining in regulation time, Phil Bardsley’s day came to an end with his second yellow-card but despite the disadvantage Sunderland was showing signs of the needed equalizer. However with five minutes of added-time there were unable to find the needed touch and Newcastle claimed another instalment of the Tyne-Wear Derby with a 1-0 victory.

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After a trying eighth place finish, Everton manager David Moyes is expected to add Jermaine Beckford on a free transfer after the striker’s contract with Leeds was cancelled one month early

For Leeds supporters, despite some problematic bouts this past year, they will remember Jermaine Beckford for his remarkable goal scoring ability and instrumental play in the clubs turnaround. After arriving in 2006, his career surged forward under the ill-fated Dennis Wise era in 2007 and the two subsequent years posted thirty goal seasons with eighty-five total markers in his Leeds career.

The twenty-six year-old striker is expected to sign with Everton shortly and join the Toffees with their tour in Australia. The jury is out on how he will respond to the pace and closer marking of the Premier as well as making the hefty two-league jump. For David Moyes, dealing with financial constraints and the likely sales of Aiyegbeni Yakubu and James Vaughan, the signing of Jermaine Beckford fits perfectly into their budget though it is unlikely that they will not continue to bolster their attackers.

While the loss is notable for Leeds, Simon Grayson’s side are well poised going forward, notably with the reliable force Luciano Becchio, Max Gradel, Mike Grella and the emerging talent Tom Elliott. They will undoubtedly be looking for proven veteran but have the makings of a very solid unit.

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In a surprise late move, Sergei Kornilenko has returned to Zenit Saint Petersburg from English Premier League side West Ham. The highly talented twenty-six year-old Belarusian international has seen his playing time scarce since he made the move to Zenit from Tom Tomsk in July 2009. Arriving on-trial at West Ham on 8 January, he was considered by many as an answer to manager Gianfranco Zola woes at striker, however the deal was vetoed by new owners David Gold and David Sullivan.

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Liverpool, presently a disappointing seventh in the Premier League table, are building their war chest for a some much needed additions, including an immediate strike for Argentine international Maxi Rodríguez.

Along with the sale of Andrea Dossena to Napoli and a rumoured deal of Andriy Voronin to Dinamo Moskva, Anfield will bring in approximately £6.25 million to finance future deals.

Andrea Dossena, who came with great to Liverpool with 2008 from Udinese, for a fee rumoured to be in the £7 million, was unable to adjust to the Premier League and quickly saw his playing time cut. Pleased with the move to Napoli, in a deal valued at £4.25 million, he said via the clubs web site:

“I am happy to be able to wear the Napoli shirt”, adding “I cannot wait for the time to play at the (Stadio) San Paolo in front to  (their) extraordinary fans”.

The deal for Andriy Voronin to Dinamo Moskva is nearing completion with Andrey Kobelev’s side gearing up for the loss of Russian international Aleksandr Kerzhakov. Per Russian media outlet Sports Express, the “White Blues” striker is pursued by a number of clubs including Liverpool, Hamburg, Lokomotiv Moskva, though is most likely to return to Zenit Saint Petersburg where his professional career started. Permitted to train on his own after Dinamo opened camp on 4 January, he noted, “The negotiations about my transfer are on their way. Of course I know what is going on but I will not give the details. I think everything will be decided very soon.”

Rumoured to be in the £1.5 million range, the deal to bring Atlético Madrid winger Maxi Rodríguez to Anfield is said to be ostensibly complete. However, the deal making is far from complete with Rafa Benítez and company as there still is the matter of Philipp Degen and Ryan Babel. Though Liverpool reported that they turned down an offer in the £8-9 million range for the Holland international, Ryan Babel, that may prove to be too much to ignore for cash strapped side as they look to retool their lineup.

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Wales international Craig Bellamy scored after the hour to give Manchester City a hard earned 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

With Gareth Barry making his return to Villa Park after his move to the Citizens for £12m the faithful “greeted” him as expected but it was the Richard Dunne who stole the show. At the fourteenth minute Stephen Warnock’s corner from the right found the former Manchester City captain, who outworked Gareth Barry to nod the ball in with power from the edge of the six-yard box. Displaying a sense of honour that Emmanuel Adebayor would do well to learn from, after nearly three-hundred appearances for the Citizens he accepted his teammates congratulations and went back to work. After a number of City’s advances came up short, much owing to the work of Villa ‘keeper Brad Friedel, Craig Bellamy rescued the draw seven minutes past the hour. Coming off a smooth link-up of play between Shaun Wright-Phillips and Stephen Ireland, Emmanuel Adebayor was played-in via the right channel only to cut the ball back to the striker for a thundering finish from eleven metres. Following the mark, Brad Friedel continued his brilliant play and without further incident the match concluded as a 1-1 draw, honours even.

©Europa League News, 2009. All rights reserved.