After an unbeaten start taking Newcastle United to the top of the Championship, the 12th September saw caretaker manager Chris Hughton and striker Shola Ameobi take the manager of the month and Championship player of the month awards for August.
Newcastle United FC Coca-Cola Championship Result
Sunday 13th September 2009
Cardiff City 0 – 1 Newcastle United
(Coloccini 18)
Newcastle United end Cardiff’s unbeaten record at home with a solitary goal being enough.
Fabricio Coloccini’s header on 18 minutes came after the home side failed to deal with an NUFC corner-kick.
Cardiff pushed the Magpies without creating any definite chances, which meant that
Newcastle kept their fifth consecutive clean sheet in the league.
Unfortunately for the visitors, captain Alan Smith received a second yellow late on after an excellent showing.
Newcastle caretaker Chris Hughton said after the match: “These are very tough games for us, but we limited Cardiff to only a few chances throughout the game.
“I think Alan Smith was very unlucky to be sent off, and possibly his reputation went before him.”
He then added: “The games are coming thick and fast, but we now have to maintain the impetus as we have started well. It will be a few weeks before we know exactly how we are doing.”
Newcastle United: played 6, won 5, drawn 1, gd 8, points 16, position 1st
Newcastle United FC Coca-Cola Championship Result
Wednesday 16th September 2009
Blackpool FC 2 – 1 Newcastle United
(Ormerod 45+2, (Caroll 40)
Euell 65)
A Jason Euell second-half goal dealt NUFC their first defeat of this season.
Newcastle’s Andy Carroll put the visitors in front against the run of play, heading in a cros from Joey Barton.
But Blackpool’s Brett Ormerod put the home side on level terms just before the break.
Blackpool were relentless through the second-half, with Eull making sure of the three points – a deserved win for the battling team.
Blackpool had given themselves plenty of chances throughout both halves, and the first-half equaliser was Newcastle’s first goal conceded in 545 minutes of Championship football.
Newcastle pushed for the equaliser, with Geremi and Kevin Nolan having the best of the chances but to no avail.
Magpies’ caretaker manager Chris Hughton said after the game: “I am bitterly disappointed, Blackpool were better than us in every department, especially in the first half.
“We need to regroup quickly as we have another big game at the weekend.
“We came into the game a lot more strongly after the break but over 90 minutes we were not the better side.”
Newcastle United: played 7, won 5, drawn 1, lost 1, gd 7, points 16, position 3rd
On the 17th September, defender Zurab Khizanishvili signed to Newcastle on a three-month loan from Blackburn Rovers.
Newcastle United FC are short on defenders in their depleted squad, and the 27-year old Georgian international brings further Premiership experience with him.
Boss Chris Hughton spoke of Khizanishvili: “We are pleased to have him on board.
“He knows English football very well and will be a welcome addition.”
On the following day, The Football League announced that they would be giving Ipswich Town and Newcastle United special dispensation for both sides to wear commemorative shirts on 26th September, in the Championship match at Portman Road.
The shirts will be auctioned afterwards to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, and the former manager’s name will be given to the former North Stand at Portman Road.
Sir Bobby died on the 31st July following a long battle against cancer, he was 76.
Newcastle United FC Coca-Cola Championship Result
Saturday 19th September 2009
Newcastle United 3 – 1 Plymouth Argyle
(Taylor 6, (Duguid 50)
Nolan 61,
Carroll 84)
Newcastle bounced back following their mid-week upset with victory over Plymouth.
The Magpies went into the break with a one-goal lead, after Stephen Taylor nodded in Geremi’s corner, but Karl Duguid equalised after the break for a spirited Argyle side.
Newcastle keeper Steve Harper kept things level with a save from a Gary Sawyer shot, before Kevin Nolan headed in a Danny Guthrie cross.
Andy Carroll then clinched all three points with a fantastic strike, capping an excellent game that was fought hard by both teams in all areas.
Newcastle United: played 8, won 6, drawn 1, lost 1, gd 9, points 19, position 2nd
Reports in the Daily Mail on 21st September suggest that Newcastle are looking to sign striker Marlon Harewood from Aston Villa on a three-month loan.
The former West Ham player signed for Villa in 2007 for £4million, but has only had one Premier League start since then.
Harewood would be a replacement for Shola Ameobi, who has a broken foot.
21st September 2009 saw some of the biggest names in football attending a service of thanksgiving in memory of Sir Bobby Robson at Durham Cathedral.
The event was shown live on television, and was beamed to St James’ Park in Newcastle and to Portman Road in Ipswich.
Guests included at the event were current England boss Fabio Capello, Sir Alex Ferguson and Gary Lineker, as well as managers from all over the country and players past and present.
Newcastle’s next match is against Peterborough United on Tuesday 22nd September at the London Road Stadium, in the Carling Cup.
Check Out Newcastle United FC’s Home and Away Fixtures for the 2009/10 Season:
NUFC Fixtures List 2009/10
Read More About Newcastle United Football Club
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