WHAT IS GANNIN' ON?
Saturday 31st March 2007
Attendance: 52,004
Newcastle United 0 Manchester City 1
A poor game between two poor sides and I think both teams must be happy that there are some bad sides in The Premiership or a spell in The Championship could be pending!
In a non-eventful first half the only points of interest were a Scott Parker "goal" ruled out for a very tight off-side decision and a cracking twenty yard shot from Mpenza which hit the bar. The main pointer relating to Mpenza's effort was the fact that he picked the ball up 35 yards from goal and was allowed to stroll forward unchallenged to get in a shot.
The second period was not much better with Man City looking like they would be delighted with the point they so obviously came for. But that does not take into account the generosity of Newcastle. Martins gave the ball away and Johnson was given ample time and space to play a straight ball through to Mpenza, who, again was given the freedom of St James' and a neat first touch and good finish was enough to send the three points to Manchester.
Suddenly, and about time too, Newcastle livened up. Why do they do this only in the last five minutes after going a goal down? Martins missed a good chance, Butt had a good volley blocked, Onyewu failed with a free header and Taylor could only head against the bar when offered the best chance of the day.
There are so many question marks about selection--what does James Milner have to do to be in the starting line-up, should Carr and Babayaro go straight back into the first team as soon as they are fit, etc, etc. Needless to say there are many more question marks against individual performances. A home game against poor opposition and only Craig Moore and Damien Duff (when he actually got the ball) can be reasonably satisfied with their performances.
Do you think Sheffield United are fancying their chances for next Saturday?!
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