January 2009 Archives

A PENALTY from Shola Ameobi rescued a point for Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear derby, and Blog on the Tyne was at the game to bring you regular updates.

Both clubs have flirted with the relegation zone this season and both were desperate for three points to pull themselves away from the pack at the foot of the table.

Djibril Cisse was played in by Malbranque and he slotted home for 1-0 on 32 minutes to leave the Newcastle fans biting their nails.

But Newcastle won a penalty on 67 minutes when Malbranque tripped Taylor and Shola stepped up to smash it past Fulop and make it 1-1.

Just click below to see a replay of the live coverage from the match.

WE ARE about to witness the derby from hell.

Oh, it is not only that fans tend to get extremely angry when taunted by bitter local rivals upon losing, but the fact that in this particular case defeat can usher in a new era of Championship football instead of Champions League splendour.

Having sampled one, Newcastle United supporters have no wish to be served the other next season.

KEVIN NOLAN today revealed his delight after joining Newcastle United in a £4m deal.

The Scouse star joins the Magpies from Bolton Wanderers after 10 years after the Reebok Stadium, where he was captain for much of his time in Lancashire.

He will go straight into the Toon squad for the game with Sunderland after signing a four- and-a-half year deal.

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It was the year of Italia 90, Gazza's tears and the birth of the Premier League era. But in the North-East it was the year Newcastle and Sunderland clashed in arguably the most intense derby clash of the modern era.

A play-off semi final, with promotion to the old First division the prize, tempers were inevitably frayed and the tensions was unbearable. I expect this weekend's Tyne-Wear Derby at St James's Park to be just as bad.

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I thought for a minute someone was trying to be funny about Newcastle United when I stepped into the corridor at work and was greeted by a cry of "Going Down" but I don't think lifts have a sense of humour!

I don't suppose many United fans have got much of one at the moment either, the situation is far too grave for that. Relegation has been a constant worry this season, but things have never looked as bad as this. There is no money, no players and, increasingly, no hope of salvation.

Rarely, if ever, have I felt as depressed, dismayed and anxious about Newcastle's prospects as I was on the return journey from Manchester City on Wednesday night.

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NEWCASTLE UNITED are officially in crisis today after slumping to defeat against Manchester City.

Joe Kinnear fears he may have to turn to Newcastle United's Academy in order to field a team in Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby.

For after another disastrous night for the Magpies he must fight on:

:: WITHOUT Michael Owen and Joey Barton, who both limped out of Eastlands with serious injuries, which could see them miss up to two months;

:: KNOWING senior stars like Mark Viduka, Habib Beye and Danny Guthrie as well as a host of fringe players are also unavailable for the foreseeable future;

:: WITHOUT wantaway goalkeeper and star man Shay Given;

:: DESPERATE for new blood with limited funds in the transfer kitty and under five days left to trade in the January transfer window;

:: LEADING a confidence-drained team that have never performed more poorly in a Premier League season since promotion in 1993.

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NEWCASTLE United's season took another disastrous turn for the worse last night as a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City was overshadowed by long term injuries to Joey Barton and Michael Owen.

Both players limped off at the City of Manchester Stadium, with Owen expected to be out of action for at least six weeks with an ankle injury, while Barton is facing an even longer spell on the sidelines following fears he has broken a bone in his foot, which could take 12 weeks to heal.

It was another terrible evening for the Magpies - watched by managing director Derek Llambias, and owner Mike Ashley, at his first game since August - whose lack of success in the transfer market means they are facing up to a relegation battle with a squad which looks incapable of taking the strain.

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LEE Ryder's Blog on the Tyne is going on the road again this week to bring you regular updates from Newcastle United's match against Manchester City.

Just come back here before the match starts or enter your details below to get a reminder.

JOE KINNEAR admits he is almost resigned to the "heartbreak" of losing Shay Given - after "bending over backwards" to keep his No 1 goalkeeper.

As irony would have it, Kinnear's Newcastle will lock horns with the Manchester City tonight, with talks over a move to the Eastlands club imminent for the Irish keeper.

City must up their price for Given after two rejected offers from Newcastle, with the saga expected to rumble on in the last few days of the transfer window.

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NEWCASTLE United's pursuit of Toulouse full-back Albin Ebondo may be in jeopardy because the French outfit are reluctant to sell the defender during the January transfer window.

Although this may just be a ploy to raise the asking price above the £4m mark, Ebondo has been told by Toulouse officials he will not be sold this month.

After several days of negotiations, Newcastle had not given up on the deal when The Journal contacted senior figures last night, saying "negotiations are still ongoing" between the two clubs.

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