| Team News | Newcastle: Harper, Carr, O'Brien, Bramble, Babayaro, Jenas, Dyer, Faye, Kluivert, Shearer, Ameobi Subs: Harper, Milner, Taylor, Hughes, Robert Coventry: Steele, Williams, Giddings, Duffy, Leacock, Doyle, Negouai, Hughes, Morrell, John, McSheffrey, Jørgensen, Shaw, Adebola, Johnson, Shearer |
After all the shenanigans of the last week, it was almost easy to forget that there was still a bit of football to be played this season. Coventry City were the visitors, as they arrived at St. James’ Park for the fourth round of the FA Cup. | "Minutes later, Ameobi made it two, with a fantastic solo effort, rifling in a shot in from 18 yards." | |
Stephen Carr was back from injury, and Patrick Kluivert was back in the starting lineup. New boy Amdy Faye was making his debut in the Magpie midfield. Newcastle started in lively fashion, zipping the ball around confidently, and not allowing Coventry to settle. Overawed The Sky Blues were looking overawed and nervous by the three-pronged attack of Shearer, Kluivert and Ameobi. Steele was forced into a good save early on, and Kluivert put a volley over. Amdy Faye was looking the part, demanding his team mates pass him the ball, always looking to break up attacks and start others. Some excellent work from Dyer saw him cross the ball to Jenas, whose header forced Steele into another save. Good goalkeeping, but Jenas should have done better. Another chance was created again by Dyer after 22 minutes, but this time it was Kluivert who couldn’t apply the finish. Classic Shearer Newcastle eventually broke the deadlock when Jermaine Jenas burst from the left and put the ball inside to Alan Shearer. The Newcastle captain took one touch, and then drilled it into the bottom-left corner. A classic Shearer goal. Minutes later, Ameobi made it two, with a fantastic solo effort, rifling in a shot in from 18 yards. It was the least that Newcastle’s possession deserved, but the joy did not last long as Coventry pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time with an Adebola header that sailed over Harper. Newcastle refused to let the Coventry goal unsettle them after the break. A Dyer run from midfield saw him flash the ball across goal, skimming the far post. Wicked deflection
 | | First goal for Newcastle: Babayaro |
Celestine Babayaro then scored his first goal for Newcastle, breaking two weak challenges to get himself into the box. His shot took a wicked deflection, and found its way into the back of the net. The celebrations had shades of LuaLua, as the crowd went wild. Newcastle nearly scored a fourth, when Patrick Kluivert headed against the bar, though he really should have scored. Good work from Dyer and Shearer to set him up. Shearer almost got his second after Dyer put him through, but his shot flashed wide. There was only one team in it at the moment. Kluivert was the next to test the keeper, but his shot on 75 minutes was straight at the keeper. Coventry had a rare chance when a Stern John header went over, but it was little threat to a comfortable Newcastle performance. Magpie of the Match Who was your man of the match for Newcastle United? Use the voting buttons on the right-hand side to make your selection. |
