Still getting headlines off the pitch, still on top into October but out of the Carling Cup.
Newcastle United FC fail to maximise their chances at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship as the teams below slip up, a new loanee makes an impact, and NUFC get hit with a bill for the travails of King Kev.
Plus ca change…
Newcastle United FC Carling Cup Third Round Result
Tuesday 22nd September 2009
Peterborough United 2 – 0 Newcastle United
(Mackail-Smith 20,
Williams 31)
Nine changes and a lack-lustre display for Newcastle see the Posh reaching the fourth round of the Carling Cup for the first time in fifteen years.
Craig Mackail-Smith and Tom Williams goals by the half-hour mark were enough to seal the game, but the home side could easily have had more, Newcastle United’s woodwork saving the visitors from any further blushes.
Danny Guthrie was red-cared for NUFC in the second half, making things so much easier for Peterborough.
Thursday 25th September saw Marlon Harewood‘s three-month loan deal from Aston Villa confirmed.
Caretaker manager Chris Houghton said of the 30-year-old: “He’s got a bit of experience and there’s no doubt about the ability he has,
“I felt we needed someone who can stretch teams a little bit, he’ll add to what we’ve already got.”
Harewood’s last appearance for the Villians was against CSKA Moscow in February’s Uefa Cup match.
Newcastle United FC Coca-Cola Championship Result
Saturday 26th September 2009
Ipswich Town 0 – 4 Newcastle United
(Nolan 30,32 and 51,
Taylor 34)
A dramatic and emotional match began with tributes to Sir Bobby Robson at Portman Road, with Kevin Nolan claiming a hat-trick and Newcastle pulling two points clear at the top of the Championship.
Nolan headed in his first, then immediatley got a second. Ryan Taylor’s free-kick made it three goals in an astonishing four minutes, making the game all but over as a contest with an hour’s worth of football still left to play.
It was only five minutes after the restart when Nolan headed in his third and sealed the points, condemning Ipswich to their worst start to a league capaign with no win so far this season.
It was the home side’s worst defeat at Portman Road in six years, which saw Newcastle keeper Steve Harper make only one save over the ninety minutes.
During the half-time break, Lady Elsie Robson officially renamed the North Stand ‘The Bobby Robson Stand‘, while both sets of players wore specially made shirts for the tribute that will be auctioned for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation charity.
Newcastle caretaker Chris Hughton said after the match: “I am delighted with the approach with which we went into the game. From start to finish we were excellent.
“It speaks volumes for Kevin Nolan that a midfielder has scored a hat-trick. He has always been with one with an eye for goal
“The lads showed a great desire. We were fortunate enough to get the goals early enough to let us go on.”
Watch Kevin Nolan talk of the team’s great spirit to the BBC.
Newcastle United: played 9, won 7, drawn 1, lost 1, gd 13, points 22, position 1st
Marlon Harewood spoke to the press on the 30th September, after having come on as a substittute in the drubbing of Ipswich Town.
“They’ve got great players from the Premier League and the majority are still here,” he told BBC Radio Newcastle.
“Hopefully the lads will be hungry enough to get the club back there.”
On his own abilities, he added: “The only way to get fit is to play games and Chris Hughton threw me in just to see how I was and I felt good,
“I just said to him I’m ready whenever he wants to chuck me in. I’m here to enjoy my football.”
Newcastle United FC Coca-Cola Championship Result
Wednesday 30th September 2009
Newcastle United 1 – 1 Queens Park Rangers
(Harewood 70) (Watson 7)
Newcastle United Football Club make it three points clear at the top with a hard-fought draw at St James Park against QPR.
Ben Watson’s shot from 30 yards put the visitors in front in just seven minutes, and Newcastle could have gone level immediately but for Danny Guthrie’s penalty getting saved by Radek Cerny.
Eventually substitute Marlon Harewood got a scrappy equaliser for United, following chances for both teams at either end.
Newcastle United’s Chris Hughton said after the game: “It’s a reminder to anybody of the quality of this league.
“You are up against Championship-hardened teams who are used to playing the amount of games we will play.
“If I look at the games we have played so far this season, we have had to fight hard for everything we have got.”
A point was enough for Newcastle to extend their lead at the top of the Championship however, as Preston, Middlesborough and West Brom all lost the night before.
It was an end to the Toon’s 100% home record this season.
Newcastle United: played 10, won 7, drawn 2, lost 1, gd 13, points 23, position 1st
The 2nd October finally pu to rest the saga of Kevin Keegan’s latest return and departure, with the former Magpies’ manager awarded £2million plus interest for constructive dismissal.
A relieved Keegan released a statement: “I am delighted that the Premier League manager’s arbitration tribunal has today formally announced that it has upheld my claim for wrongful dismissal against Newcastle United.
“The tribunal has found the conduct of the club in forcing a player on me against my wishes represented a fundamental breach of my contract of employment.
“I do not believe that there is any manager in football who could have remained at the club in the light of their conduct.
“I also want to confirm that a central purpose of my claim has always been to clear my name and restore my reputation.
“I consider it of vital importance that I was able to let people know about the full circumstances of my resignation and the way in which I had been treated by the club. I hope that this purpose has now been achieved.”
Newcastle United Football Club refused to comment, merely reporting the panel’s decision and publishing the report.
In squad news, midfielder Joey Barton could be out for several months following surgery on his right foot.
Caretaker manager Chris Houghton said: “The injury could keep him out for a good period of time.”
Newcastle United FC Coca-Cola Championship Result
Saturday 3rd October 2009
Newcastle United 0 – 0 Bristol City
The Magpies clearly had the most chances, with Marlon Harewood striking the post early on and both Danny Guthrie and Kevin Nolan each having their shots saved by City’s substitute keeper.
Steven Taylor and Nolan both headed against the woodwork as Bristol held on for the point.
An afternoon of wasted chances was capped by the referee turning down a penalty claim following Harewood being brought down in the box before the end.
An unhappy Chris Hughton: “For me, it was an absolute certain penalty.
“There are some penalties where you are not sure whether the referee is going to give it or not.
“I could have almost looked away because my first impression was just one of waiting for the referee to point to the spot.”
Newcastle United: played 11, won 7, drawn 3, lost 1, gd 13, points 24, position 1st
Newcastle’s next match is against Nottingham Forest on Saturday 17th October at the City Ground, kick-off at 5.20pm.
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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