The Barclays Premiership 07/08

This season we will be playing close attention to Newcastle United who have found new confidence after ex-Bolton manager Sam Allardyce took over from Glenn Roeder during the close-season. Big Sam has brought in many promising players for the new season including but not limited to; Alan Smith (Manchester United), Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough) and Joey Barton (Manchester City). Big Sam has also tried to improve on Newcastle's weak area for many seasons now which is their defence. He has brought in ex-Lyon captain Caçapa and José Enrique Sánchez, a former left back for Spanish side Levante. Their is a new believe around St James Park that Big Sam can finally bring the results that Newcastle United have longed for, ever since the days of 'King' Kevin Keegan. Newcastle United is the Premier League's 'Team To Watch' this season. Their first fixture is a home tie against Blackburn Rovers. We'll have more news on that fixture shortly.

​

Newcastle United Lead Blackburn 2-1 At Half-Time



0' - The game kicks off at St James' Park.

3' - Alan Smith finds himself on the edge of the box and has a shot at goal but Friedel is equal to it. All Newcastle in the early proceedings and Geremi has a shot only for it to be blocked by a defender.

10' - A long ball forward from McCarthy allows Emerton to hit a half-volley towards goal but the ball sails comfortably wide and into the side netting.

18' - After a great through ball from Martins, Geremi finds himself clear. He delays on the ball and is rushed by defenders who clear the ball for a corner. Geremi floats the ball in and... GOAL! Alan Smith gets on the end of the corner and heads the ball calmly past Fridel and into the bottom corner. Newcastle start with real purpose at St James' Park.



21' - It's Newcastle who come forward again with Carr and he unleashes a shot from the right side of the box but Fridel parries and a defender clears to safety.

26' - Blackburn build an attack down the right and a ball is hit forward for McCarthy to chase he beats Taylor to the ball but his shot had no real power and Given saves easily.

30' - Another Blackburn attack and a cross comes in for McCarthy to head, and he goes very close with the ball skimming the side of the post. Blackburn coming back into this game.

33' - Mark Viduka makes his first real involvement in the game as he tests the Blackburn defence with a clever run but he got his shot all wrong and it sails wide of the mark.

40' - Geremi finds some space and has a shot on goal and the ball spins awkwardly as Freidel dives but he manages to get his hands safely around the ball.

43' - Newcastle pushing Blackburn back yet again with Martins down the right and he makes a run into the box and unleashes a powerful shot... GOAL! Fridel can't keep the ball out as the ball rockets past his right. Newcastle 2-0 up and look in full control of this game.



45'+ - Blackburn have the ball out wide on the left and the ball comes in for Santa Cruz who out-jumps Carr to head the ball goalwards, the ball looks to be heading wide as Alan Smith tries to clear... GOAL! Terrible luck for Alan Smith as his header is knocked into the back on the net. Unlucky for Newcastle as they were looking comfortable at 2-0 but now going into the second half with Blackburn having found new confidence, this game is wide open yet again!



45'+ - There's barely time in this half for the re-start. Sure enough, as soon as Newcastle kick-off the referee blows for half time. Newcastle United 2 - Blackburn Rovers 1.

Newcastle United Take Resounding 4-1 Victory



45' - The 2nd half gets underway at St James' Park.

57' - Slow start to the second half. Santa Cruz receives a ball at his feet in the Newcastle penalty area but he can't get the ball far enough out of his feet to make any real contact and his shot is pulled wide.

60' - Charles N'Zogbia plays the ball forward to Mark Viduka who turns his marker well and has a go from distance... GOAL! Viduka beats Friedel with a stunning goal from all of 30 yards. The ball dipped viciously over Friedel and the American had no chance of stopping it. Newcastle lead Blackburn 3-1 and are running away with this game.



62' - It's all going Newcastle's way again and a cross from Martins on the right meets the head of Geremi who puts the ball narrowly over for a Blackburn goal-kick. The goal-kick is poor though and it lands right at the feet of Martins who's shot is blocked. Blackburn have no answer for this black and white onslaught at the moment.

64' - There's ambitious, and then there's stupid. James Milner gets a bit carried away with Newcastle's dominance and attempts a 40 yard half-volley which sails hopelessly over the bar. 10/10 for effort, 0/10 for the end result. It's Viduka in the mix again as he has a header blocked out from the defence.

71' - Viduka is causing problems again as he mazes his way through the Blackburn's defence and sliding a neat ball towards Geremi... GOAL! Geremi strokes in yet another goal for Newcastle with the inside of his boot. A majestic finish should surely cap off Newcastle's day quite nicely. The lead is now 4 goals to a miserable 1.



78' - Newcastle clearly don't want it to end there as Viduka piles on further pressure but this time the Blackburn defence contain him and his shot doesn't cause any further woe.

88' - Newcastle haven't given Blackburn a chance this half and Solano tries to lob Friedel from an outrageous distance and goes very close but Friedel manages to paw the ball over for a corner.

90'+ - The referee ends Blackburn's torrid game, sparking mass celebration in the stands at St James' Park. Newly appointed captain Geremi who was substituted during the game rejoins the pitch to join with his team-mates. Could this win be the start of something big for Newcastle United? The final result; Newcastle United 4 - Blackburn Rovers 1.



Match Review To Follow Soon...​