Andy Carroll celebrates his goal against Villa (above)
Good times and good football has continued to flow at St.James' Park this month as Newcastle looked to keep up their impressive October form. Slight mistake on the BBC's part, we missed out a scoreline from October. Newcastle also played Wolves, drawing 2-2 with Jonas Gutierrez and Andy Carroll getting on the scoresheet.
Things didn;t start well for Newcastle though. They travelled to Upton Park to play Avram Grant's West Ham side who were really struggling thus far. In a game many expected Newcastle to take all 3 points, they sadly never and left with only a draw. It was Andy Carroll who netted. Carroll, 21, recently earned his spot back in the side due to an injury to Thierry Henry which will keep him out for up to 8 weeks we've been told. But so far Carroll hasn't failed Todd, or Newcastle.
And he kept up his good form in the next game against Villa (seen above). As Newcastle welcomed Kevin Mcdonalds side (caretaker manager) to St James' Park they looked to make up for a poor draw last weekend. And they did so by beating Aston Villa 2-0. It was Iker Muniain who joined Andy Carroll on the scoresheet. The 2 had formed a solid partnership up front and people were beginning to take notice. Barcelona and Real Madrid had again expressed interest in Muniain, though the youngster was quick to dismiss the interest. Carroll on the other hand is attracting interest from German side Wolfsburg and London side Arsenal. He though refused to comment on any interest.
Newcastle then travelled away to the Reebok to face Bolton. Owen Coyle had again strenghened for this season making his team look an even stronger side. But they were no match for Newcastle as the Magpies picked up a 4-1 win. Want-a-away winger Jonas Gutierrez seemed to show that his off-field comments weren't effecting his performances on the field as he netted a brace. Avram Grant, manager of West Ham has declared an interest in him for a move in January. Andy Carroll again netted impressivly whilst super-sub Dan Gosling came on to net in the dying minutes. A great all-round performance for the Toon.
In the final game of the month Newcastle travelled away to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea. In a tricky away game, many fans would have been content with a draw I believe. But it wasn't to be. Landon Donovan popped up in the 85th minute to break Geordie hearts and send them home with nothing.
But Newcastle manaed to pick up 7 valuable points this month. Despite a loss to Chelsea, they remain in the top 4 as they sit in the 4th position.
How do you think the month went though? If you are a Newcastle fan, why not tell us what you think. Email us a [email protected] or text us 'YOUR NAME' followed by 'NEWCASTLE' and then your message. Gary will read several out on Saturday's MOTD.
With 2 months, and 6 games left in the Premier League season, Newcastle United have looked to push on to Europe. With Man Utd sitting in front of Newcastle, it was always going to be a tough task for Beresford and his team.
A trip away to struggling Bristol City was a perfect opportunity to take 3 points and gain on Manchester Utd, and Newcastle took the opportunity with both hands, but only after an early scare. Salomon Kalou gave Newcastle an early advantage with a well taken goal in the 12th minute, but Bristol would not take this lying down. Bristol equalized half an hour into the game and Beresford was visibly livid. At half time it was still half time, and a talking to by Beresford changed the Newcastle side completely. A minute into the second half and it was 2-1, Kalou scoring his second of the game. With two minutes left, Luisma made sure of the 3 points with a lovely striker from just inside the area, a perfect way to end a perfect half.
Next a chance to entertain the home fans as Birmingham travelled north to St.James' Park. An entertaining game for fans on both sides of the stadium, end to end action provided the game of the week. With chances coming thick and fast at both ends, either team could have taken the lead, but Newcastle was the rewarded team as Adam Hlousek finished off a lovely team manoeuvre in the 23rd minute. Adam Hlousek doubled Newcastle's lead 20 minutes into the second half with a contender for goal of the month, a lovely curling shot into the top corner. A red card for Birmingham was the end of the game with ten minutes to go really, no team wanted to expose their goals too much, and both teams accepted the result.
The Toon army celebrate an important win
The second last game of the month saw another struggling team in Cardiff, travel to St.James Park, and the fans saw another brilliant game. Not a brilliant game in terms of a close match, but in terms of Newcastle dominating. With Europe on their mind, Newcastle came out all guns blazing. Adam Hlousek put away their first inside 20 minutes courtesy of a Riquelme through ball. Newcastle continued to dominate the entire game, but were extremely unlucky to not score. The woodwork was hit twice, and Andy Carroll had two disallowed goals, and Newcastle became very frustrated. In the last minute of injury time Andy Carroll got the goal he deserved, no offside flag or referee's whistle this time, a clean goal from "Mr. Fantastic" to end the game 2-0 for Newcastle.
Another home game to round off the month, and it was Everton's turn to face an in-form Newcastle at St.James' Park. Andy Carroll got the scoring underway right before halftime with a lovely header in front of the home fans. Newcastle were really good against Everton, everything except their finishing. They should have had 3 or 4 before halftime, but complacency really got in the way. Eventually it was made 2-0, but only 4 minutes before halftime, better late then never, and it was Kalou who relieved all Newcastle fans with a cracking left foot strike. A strong ending to a great month for Newcastle.
An undefeated month for Newcastle leaving a platform to qualify for Europe. 2 games to go, and on a 4 match winning streak, Newcastle have every chance of qualifying, but it is all up to the players now.
Beresford's Man of the Month award goes to Adam Hlousek yet again, the ever-improving youngster is a brilliant find for John Beresford, and he has proved it again this month!
Can Newcastle get into Europe? If you are a Newcastle fan, why not tell us what you think. Email us a [email protected] or text us 'YOUR NAME' followed by 'NEWCASTLE' and then your message. Gary will read several out on Saturday's MOTD.
With 2 games left in the Premier League Season for Newcastle, they have a slim chance of qualifying for Europa League, but on a 4 match winning streak, anything is possible. With Man Utd right above Newcastle, it was going to be a great battle for that 7th spot.
Newcastle started with a match away to Blackburn, a match that could really decide if they made it to Europe or not. The match was a disaster, for both teams. A wet day made it very hard for teams to gain control of the match. It also made it hard for both keepers, but a lack of quality shots made it easier than it should have been. It was a very strange game for a game in the middle of May. It should have been a sunny day where both teams played quality football to entertain the fans, but it rained and poured like there was no tomorrow. Brett Emerton scored the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute to give Blackburn a 1-0 and to crush Newcastle's dream of playing in Europe. The Newcastle players walked off the pitch in a sombre mood, but they still had one game to go.
The rain comes down in Blackburn
The last game of the year was a home game against West Brom. This game was for pride and for the fans. Again the match was in the pouring rain, but 58688 fans turned out to watch the last game of the season. Andy Carroll was still in the running for the top goalscorer, even with Jermaine Defoe on 21 goals each, with Wayne Rooney sitting on 20. Newcastle looked brilliant, they played like they deserved to be in Europe. Even though there were no goals in the first half, there was always going to be at least one, you could just feel it. Andy Carroll got the goal to put him at the top of the goalscoring tables in the 58th minute. He screamed at the top of his lungs, it was an incredible strike from the edge of the box, smashed into the top right corner. Everything was now revolving around Andy Carroll. Newcastle were doing their best to set him up, West Brom were doing their best to mark him as tightly as they could, at one stage he had 3 players on him at a corner. Eventually Andy Carroll did get his goal, and it was from a Jose Enrique corner. A beautiful header right into the top corner, no way the keeper could stop it. An incredible way to end an incredible season for Newcastle, 3 points at home.
St.James' Park in the pouring rain
A great way to end the season, two great (sort of) games for the fans to enjoy. Newcastle did finish eighth, outside of the European placings, but there is always next season.
Good or bad season for Newcastle? If you are a Newcastle fan, why not tell us what you think. Email us a [email protected] or text us 'YOUR NAME' followed by 'NEWCASTLE' and then your message. Gary will read several out on Saturday's MOTD.
Andy Carroll (7.70)
Adam Hlousek (7.28)
Jose Enrique (7.11)
Guillermo Ochoa (7.09)
Salomon Kalou (7.04)
Goals
Andy Carroll (25)
Salomon Kalou (12)
Adam Hlousek (11)
Appearances
Guillermo Ochoa (41)
Adam Hlousek (40)
Gary Cahill (40)
Assists
Salomon Kalou (11)
Juan Roman Riquelme (10)
Daniel Pacheco (9)
MOM Awards
Andy Carroll (11)
Adam Hlousek (7)
Guillermo Ochoa (4)
Yellow Cards
Fernando Gago (8)
Cheik Tiote (4)
Adam Hlousek/Salomon Kalou(3)
Red Cards
None
Interesting Facts
Newcastle hit the woodwork and incredible 26 times during 41 games
Newcastle were one of only two teams to not receive a Red Card in the Premier League season, the other team being Everton.
Newcastle scored 11 goals from corners, the highest in the Premier League
Salomon Kalou had the highest “Shot on Target” percentage in the Premier League, at an impressive rate of 76%
Adam Hlousek covered the most distance of anyone in the Premier League, a total of 457.9km, 6km's more than his nearest “rival”, Michael Essien
The Awards
Best Player – Andy Carroll View attachment 110743
The 22yr old has been an incredible “strikemaster” for Newcastle, netting 25 times in all competitions, definitely deserved the Premier League Footballer of the Year Award.
Rising Star – Adam Hlousek View attachment 110742
An amazing player, runs up and down that left wing all day long, helping turn defence into attack, and he was involved in 19 of our goals this season.
Signing of the Season – Adam Hlousek View attachment 110742
For only £2,900,000 he was a bargain, and value has already risen to £5,500,000 after an incredible season for Newcastle, hopefully it can continue
Premier League View attachment 110745
Chelsea eventual winners, went undefeated until the second last game of the season, a 1-0 loss to West Brom. Portsmouth, Cardiff and Bristol City head straight back down to the Championship in their first year back in the Premier League.
Awards
Footballer of the Year – Andy Carroll
Manager of the Year - Carlo Ancelotti
Players' Player of the Year – Frank Lampard
Players' Young Player – Mario Balotelli
Top Goalscorer – Andy Carroll
Team of the Year View attachment 110744
A little surprise for all you Newcastle fans, next year, Newcastle will be competing in the UEFA Europa League due to their excellent disciplinary record. Finishing 8th didn't qualify them automatically, but their record of only 31 yellow cards and no red cards has allowed them to qualify.
The BBC today has reports coming in the Newcastle manager Craig Todd is in a 'serious' condition in hospital after coming down with a mystery illness yesterday. We are unsure on the Scotsman exact condition.
A Newcastle spokespeson informed us that Todd had been rushed into hospital yesterday after collapsing at training. He was said to be looking seriously ill all day and had even refused to eat during breakfast and lunch. As the day went on his ill condition seemed to worsen before he eventually fainted whilst talking with assistant Colin Calderwood,
Mike Ashley has sent his best wishes to his manager, but as of yet is unsure on whether or not Todd will be stepping down. Ashley also sent his wishes to Todd's family who are said to be in a state of shock in hospital.
Doctors meanwhile have stated that the next 48 hours could be make or break for Todd as he tries to battle this condition. We'll have more on this story when we hear more.
We also send our best wishes to Mr.Todd and his family.
With Newcastle's kits going over well last year, they have stuck with Toddzy Creations and yet again they have impressed. They have gone back to the traditional Black and White stripes for their home kits, with a White kit as an away. The bright Green third kit is controversial, but it can't all be black and white right?