Rodallega ends goal drought to down Newcastle

Updated December 11, 2012 09:25:35

Hugo Rodallega fired Fulham to its first win in eight matches as the Colombian ended his goal drought to seal a 2-1 victory over Newcastle at Craven Cottage on Tuesday morning (AEDT).

Rodallega had failed to hit the back of the net since September, but the striker finally notched only his second goal since his preseason move from Wigan with a second-half header to kill off the Magpies.

It was sweet relief for both Rodallega and Fulham boss Martin Jol, whose struggling side had blown the first-half lead given to it by Steve Sidwell.

Although Hatem Ben Arfa equalised for Newcastle early in the second half, Alan Pardew's team was unable to avoid a fifth defeat in its last six Premier League matches.

Newcastle remains only four points above the relegation zone after a 14th successive away match without a win.

For Pardew, celebrating two years in charge of Newcastle, it was a miserable anniversary as Fulham took control on a freezing night on the banks of the River Thames.

Rodallega had the first sight of goal for the Cottagers with a bicycle kick, although his acrobatic effort failed to test Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul.

Newcastle's defence was far too open and the hosts were able to exploit those gaps to take the lead and end a five-hour goal drought in the 19th minute.

Damien Duff was the provider as he released Sidwell into the penalty area and the former Chelsea midfielder's strike looped past Krul via a deflection off Mike Williamson.

Dimitar Berbatov should have doubled Fulham's advantage moments later when he surged through on goal but, with just Krul to beat, the former Manchester United forward shot too close to the Newcastle goalkeeper.

Berbatov threatened again after Krul could only palm Sascha Riether's cross to the Bulgarian, but once more he was unable to convert the chance as the Newcastle keeper recovered to save.

Pardew's team had more menace about it in the second half and French forward Ben Arfa, back from four matches out with an injury, produced a moment of inspiration to equalise in the 54th minute.

Fulham's Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer must have felt relatively comfortable when Ben Arfa took possession just outside the right edge of the penalty area.

But the Australian was left flat-footed as Ben Arfa rifled a fine strike into the roof of the net via a deflection off John Arne Riise.

Krul was quickly off his line to block when Sidwell went charging through soon after, yet Fulham did not have to wait long to take the lead.

In the 63rd minute, Duff whipped a teasing cross into the six-yard box, where Rodallega got in front of Fabricio Coloccini to head powerfully past Krul.

Desperate to make amends for that mistake, Coloccini went forward and smashed a shot against the bar from the edge of the area, but that was as close as the visitors came to an equaliser.

AFP

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england

First posted December 11, 2012 09:18:58

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No respite for QPR as Sunderland and Newcastle draw

Updated October 22, 2012 07:18:40

Queens Park Rangers forward Junior Hoilett scored a superb goal after an 80-metre run in only the second minute but his team still stayed bottom of the Premier League without a win after a 1-1 draw with Everton at Loftus Road on Monday (AEDT).

The Tyne-Wear derby between Sunderland and Newcastle United at the Stadium of Light also finished in a 1-1 draw with both matches featuring an own goal and a sending off for the away side.

QPR raced into the lead against Everton when Hoilett, picking the ball up deep in his own half after an Everton corner, powered his way through the centre of the field, holding off a challenge from Phil Neville before shooting.

The ball hit the heel of Leighton Baines and looped over the wrong-footed Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, but Everton was level 30 minutes later when Sylvain Distin's header hit a post and the back of goalkeeper Julio Cesar and trickled over the line, with the goalkeeper being credited with an own goal.

Everton was reduced to 10 men when Steven Pienaar was sent off for a second yellow after 61 minutes that will keep him out of next week's Merseyside derby against Liverpool.

QPR remain bottom behind Reading on goal difference with three points, the only other team without a win.

"I think its an important point but ideally we would have preferred to have taken the maximum today because our performance warranted that," QPR manager Mark Hughes said.

"Some of our play, especially in the first half was excellent."

Sunderland and Newcastle finished an entertaining Tyne-Wear derby all square with Newcastle scoring at the right end through Yohan Cabaye after three minutes and at the wrong end when Demba Ba put through his own net five minutes from time.

Newcastle was reduced to 10 men after 25 minutes when Cheick Tiote was sent off for a rash kick at Sunderland's Steven Fletcher.

The results had little impact on the league standings with Everton staying fourth on 15 points from their eight matches, three behind Manchester United and Manchester City and seven behind leaders Chelsea.

Newcastle moved from 12th to 11th place on 10 points while Sunderland stayed 14th on eight points having played seven matches.

Reuters

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england

First posted October 22, 2012 07:06:48

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Man United crush Newcastle, Liverpool held

Updated October 08, 2012 13:32:24

Manchester United surged into second place in the Premier League with a 3-0 demolition of Newcastle, while Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers suffered another Anfield nightmare as his struggling side were held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke on Monday (AEDT).

Sir Alex Ferguson's team closed the gap on leaders Chelsea to four points thanks to first half goals from Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra before Tom Cleverley struck with a superb strike after the break.

United, who are above third placed Manchester City on goal difference, have lost twice already in the league this season and, with Chelsea winning on Saturday, they could ill-afford another set-back at St James' Park, where they were beaten 3-0 last season.

Newcastle never had a chance of emulating that result as United, playing some of their best football of the season, raced into a two-goal lead within 15 minutes.

Evans struck first with a powerful header from Wayne Rooney's corner in the eighth minute and French left-back Evra nodded home from another Rooney corner seven minutes later.

Newcastle were denied a goal when Demba Ba's effort was kept out by United goalkeeper David de Gea despite claims it crossed the line.

And United midfielder Cleverley ended any hopes of a Newcastle comeback when he curled a brilliant shot into the top corner in the 71st minute.

"They (United's players) were focused today. It's not easy coming to Newcastle - they're a big, aggressive team. I'm pleased with the result and pleased with the performance," Ferguson said.

Meanwhile, Rodgers has yet to oversee a Premier League home win in four attempts since taking charge of Liverpool in the close-season and the Reds' barren run in front of their own supporters has now stretched to six matches in all competitions.

The hosts hit the woodwork three times, but Liverpool were unable to break down Stoke's stubborn defence and Rodgers' side remain in 14th place after just one win in their first seven league matches.

Liverpool, whose only home success under Rodgers came in the Europa League against Gomel of Belarus, are already eight points off the top four and more worryingly for their manager, they lie only three points above the relegation zone.

"I thought the performance was excellent," Rodgers said. "Stoke are a difficult team to play against.

"There were a number of young players in the team and we handled it physically. We just needed the final touch in the box to round up some good play."

At White Hart Lane, Tottenham secured their third successive league win, goals from Steven Caulker and Aaron Lennon giving the hosts a 2-0 success against struggling Aston Villa.

After a slow start under new boss Andre Villas-Boas, Spurs have climbed to fifth place and they were always in control against struggling Villa, who slip to 16th position.

Villas-Boas, who ended American goalkeeper Brad Friedel's run of 310 consecutive Premier League starts by selecting recent signing Hugo Lloris instead, saw defender Caulker break the deadlock in the 58th minute when he deflected in Jermain Defoe's shot.

England winger Lennon sealed the points with a surging run and cool finish in the 67th minute.

Southampton defender Jose Fonte headed a late equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against Fulham in a dramatic finish at St Mary's.

Nigel Adkins' side looked set for their sixth defeat in seven league matches this season when Kieran Richardson put Fulham 2-1 ahead with just two minutes to go.

But Portuguese centre-back Fonte, who had earlier given Saints the lead before a Jos Hooiveld own goal drew Fulham level, came to the rescue as he popped up at the far post to nod home a free-kick in stoppage-time.

Fonte's goal lifted Southampton out of the relegation zone at Reading's expense, while Fulham remain in ninth place.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, england

First posted October 08, 2012 07:19:18

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Ba double gives Newcastle controversial draw

Updated September 18, 2012 09:28:41

Senegal striker Demba Ba rescued a 2-2 draw for Newcastle as his late equaliser left Everton to pay the price for a crucial blunder by the officials at Goodison Park on Tuesday morning (AEST).

Ba came off the bench at half-time with Newcastle trailing to Leighton Baines' first half goal and he made an immediate impact with the equaliser one minute into the second period.

But Everton was denied a clear goal when Victor Anichebe's header appeared to cross the line after being pushed onto the bar by Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper.

David Moyes' side, who had already had a Marouane Fellaini strike harshly ruled out for offside, were understandably furious with referee Mike Jones and his assistants, yet it seemed they would still take the points when Anichebe fired home with only two minutes remaining.

However, Ba had the last word when he bundled in his second equaliser of the night in the 90th minute.

There was more bad news for Everton as Croatia striker Nikica Jelavic hobbled off with a first half knee injury.

"We played well and we thought we had other goals in the game but for some reason or not they weren't given," Moyes said.

"For Anichebe's effort the linesman was looking right along the line, that's his job and he didn't see it.

"I thought we deserved the win, sometimes you need decisions to go your way but they didn't go for us tonight."

Magpies manager Alan Pardew added: "I was proud of the second half because we were terrific, but the first half we lacked belief and I was shocked at how we played.

"Not many teams would come back and respond in the way we did so all credit to the players."

While the post-match discussion was all about technology and officials' decisions, understandably the pre-match focus was on recognising Merseyside neighbours Liverpool's fight for justice after the publication of last week's independent report into the Hillsborough disaster.

The club's approach was pitched perfectly as, in addition to two mascots wearing an Everton number nine shirt and a Liverpool top with the number 6 and ball boys bearing the number 96, the names of all victims of the disaster scrolled across Goodison's television screen accompanied by the Hollies' 'He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother'.

In an emotionally charged atmosphere, Everton made a strong start which must have made uncomfortable viewing for Pardew, watching from the stands as he served the first of a two-match touchline ban.

Jelavic had an early goal disallowed for offside but the hosts made a deserved breakthrough in the 15th minute when Baines raced onto a clever backheel from Steven Pienaar to fire past Harper.

Belgian striker Kevin Mirallas, Everton's transfer deadline day signing, was impressing on his first league start, while Phil Jagielka shaved the post with a volley from Jelavic's lay-off.

After Jelavic was forced off, Newcastle came into the match more and Ba equalised in the 46th minute with a low strike from Yohan Cabaye's pass.

Fellaini had a goal ruled out for offside, a decision which was marginal at best, middway through the second half.

Then Everton's protests reached fever pitch when Anichebe's 78th minute header was tipped onto the crossbar by Harper and appeared to bounce down over the line before Mike Williamson cleared.

Anichebe finally did get on the scoresheet as he turned in the penalty area to fire home in the 88th minute.

That looked to have won it for Everton, but moments later Ba latched on to Shola Ameobi's knockdown to roll a shot under Tim Howard and snatch a point.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, england, united-kingdom

First posted September 18, 2012 07:28:30

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'Digusted' Cahill slams Newcastle rival

Updated May 16, 2012 07:18:23

Everton's Tim Cahill launched a broadside at Newcastle's French international Yohan Cabaye after accepting a three-match ban for his red card in his side's 3-1 victory last Sunday.

The 32-year-old Socceroos veteran accused Cabaye of using offensive language at the end of the match, which saw the Australian react by grappling with the Frenchman and being red-carded.

Everton appealed against the red card but it was rejected earlier on Tuesday by the Football Association (FA).

"I accept my three-match ban," Cahill said in a statement.

"My reaction at the end of the game was out of character but I was disgusted at comments made to me by Cabaye.

"I don't wish to elaborate on the exact detail of what was said - but his words have no place either on or off the football pitch.

"Cabaye has apologised via his club's website and as far as I am concerned, the matter is now closed."

Cabaye said the exchange was "out of character".

"I would like to apologise for the cross words I exchanged with Tim Cahill, which resulted in his red card and my booking on the final whistle," said the 26-year-old, who has impressed in his first season in the Premier League after signing from 2011 French champions Lille.

"It was unnecessary and, regrettably, the result of frustration and disappointment, all in the heat of the moment.

"It is out of character and for that I am sorry."

AFP

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, socceroos, australia, england, united-kingdom

First posted May 16, 2012 07:18:23

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Newcastle draws level with Spurs

Updated April 10, 2012 10:49:02

Newcastle United moved level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur as the battle for Champions League qualification from the Premier League intensified on Tuesday morning (AEST).

Newcastle's 2-0 win over strugglers Bolton, combined with Tottenham's 2-1 loss at home to Norwich, left the Champions League rivals together on 59 points.

Chelsea would also have moved to 59 points with a victory at Fulham and looked like doing so when Frank Lampard became the first midfielder to net 150 Premier League goals on the stroke of half-time, scoring from the penalty spot.

However, Clint Dempsey headed home a corner in the second half, the American's 13th goal in 2012, to ensure the sides again drew for the fourth west London derby in succession.

Roberto di Matteo's side now lies two points adrift of fourth spot.

The Premier League's top three clubs go into the first round of the Champions League proper, with the fourth-placed side set for a qualifying round.

At St James' Park, France midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa gave Newcastle a sensational 73rd minute lead when he beat several Bolton defenders before slipping the ball into the corner.

Newcastle's in-form Senegal striker Papiss Demba Cisse then made it 10 goals in nine games when, from close range, he turned in Shola Ameobi's cross seven minutes from time.

"It was a special, special goal from Ben Arfa," Newcastle manager Alan Pardew told Sky Sports.

"He's got that magic touch. Hopefully, it will edge the French manager (Laurent Blanc) to include him in the French squad (for Euro 2012)."

Tottenham fell behind at White Hart Lane when Anthony Pilkington capitalised on a mix-up in the Spurs defence to fire the Canaries into a 13th minute lead.

But England striker Jermain Defoe drew Tottenham level 20 minutes later.

However, the Canaries - now in the top half of the table following promotion last season - saw winger Elliott Bennett lash the ball past Brad Friedel as the Spurs defence backed off to make it 2-1 in the 66th minute.

Defeat means Tottenham, who faces London rivals Chelsea in an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley at the weekend, has won just once in eight league games.

"Credit to them (Norwich) as I think they deserved it," said Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.

"I thought they bullied us a little bit. It was a bad day but we have to pick ourselves up."

Delighted Norwich boss Paul Lambert added: "That was phenomenal. From start to finish we were brilliant. I told the players I have seen some big games in my time and that was colossal."

Everton warmed up for its FA Cup semi-final against Merseyside rivals Liverpool at Wembley on Saturday by thrashing Sunderland 4-0 at Goodison Park.

All of the home side's goals came in a second-half spree, with winger Magaye Gueye firing Everton ahead in the 52nd minute.

The Frenchman then turned provider as South Africa's Steven Pienaar sealed victory with a 75th minute shot from the edge of the box.

Barely 60 seconds later Leon Osman made it 3-0 before Nigerian striker Victor Anichebe added a fourth nine minutes from time.

Victory also saw seventh-placed Everton go four points clear of Liverpool in their bid to finish above their neighbours for the first time since 2005.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa opened up a seven-point gap between themselves and the bottom three with six games to play after a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke.

Villa went ahead through Andreas Weimann's 32nd minute curler before Stoke defender Robert Huth equalised with a header from a free-kick 19 minutes from time.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, england

First posted April 10, 2012 06:07:09

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Wellington edges Jets in Newcastle

Updated January 20, 2012 22:45:13

Wellington has posted only its second win on the road this season with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle to propel the club into third spot on the A-League ladder.

Winless on the road until their 1-0 win over Gold Coast last week, the Phoenix continued their resurgence away, inflicting a rare home loss on the Jets who had only gone down twice in Newcastle in their previous eight matches.

Defender Manny Muscat scored the lone goal as the Phoenix leapfrog Melbourne Heart to climb to third and only a point behind reigning premier Brisbane.

The Jets, who had the chance to break into the top six with a win, remain second last.

The Jets came out looking to create chances early and it did not take them long as Sung-Hwan Byun forced an early save from Phoenix glovesman Mark Paston after three minutes.

The visitors were not letting the Jets have it all their own way with Chris Greenacre getting in on the action, goalkeeper Ben Kennedy charging off his line to save his strike only minutes later.

Jets skipper Ryan Griffiths had the perfect opportunity to put the hosts in front early, getting on the end of a perfectly placed Byun cross, but his shot sailed way over the woodwork.

Tarek Elrich had perhaps the best chance of the half but Paston was equal to his powerful strike.

But it was Wellington right-back Muscat who finally broke the deadlock in the 58th minute with his first goal of the season following good lead-up work from Ifill.

Kantarovski tried to level with a long-range effort minutes later, but Paston was again able to keep the home side out.

Sanchez had the chance to put the game beyond doubt in the 82nd minute when he got on the end of an Ifill cross but he missed an absolute sitter.

AAP

Tags: a-league, soccer, sport, newcastle-2300, nsw, australia, new-zealand

First posted January 20, 2012 22:20:32

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Advantage City as Newcastle stuns United

Updated January 05, 2012 10:01:20

Newcastle has sent Manchester United spinning to its second consecutive Premier League defeat to give Manchester City a vital edge in the title race.

Goals from Demba Ba, Yohan Cabaye and a late Phil Jones own goal clinched a deserved 3-0 victory for Newcastle at St James Park, as United missed the chance to go level on points with City at the top of the table.

The defeat means United, beaten by Blackburn at Old Trafford in its last outing at the weekend, now trails City by three points after the league leaders downed Liverpool 3-0 at Eastlands yesterday.

"The story of the game is they had two fantastic goals which put them in the driving seat and they weren't going to lose it," United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said.

"We have had our opportunity and it's advantage to Man City. We don't normally have back-to-back defeats but the plus point is we had some players back tonight.

"It's not a time for panic, we have the experience to cope with it.

"We need to get the show on the road in terms of the run-in."

In the night's other game, Bolton moved off the bottom after coming from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park.

An end-to-end first half in Newcastle saw both sides threaten early on, with Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov grazing the post with a header on 15 minutes to set alarm bells ringing in the Magpies defence.

At the other end, Newcastle had strong appeals for a penalty turned down by referee Howard Webb after Rio Ferdinand brought down Ba as the two players tussled for possession.

The deadlock was broken on 33 minutes when Newcastle's readiness to play route one football paid dividends.

A long kick upfield by Newcastle keeper Tim Krul was met by Shola Ameobi, who flicked on for Ba, who in turn hooked a superb volley into the side netting beyond Anders Lindegaard, favoured in goal ahead of the dropped David De Gea.

Ba's strength and mobility continued to cause problems for United and it was a foul on the striker by Jones early in the second half that led to Newcastle's second.

From the ensuing free-kick Cabaye stepped up and struck a powerful curling effort into the top corner beyond the despairing dive of Lindegaard.

Newcastle's second stung United into action and only a magnificent goal-line clearance from Danny Simpson prevented Wayne Rooney from pulling a goal back for the visitors on 59 minutes.

Rooney, who had missed the Blackburn defeat after being dropped by Ferguson for disciplinary reasons, endured a miserable evening and eventually suffered the indignity of being substituted with 15 minutes to go.

A bad night for United got worse in the dying minutes when a long punt forward by Krul caused confusion in the visiting defence and Jones steered a header past Lindegaard for 3-0.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said the physical presence of Ba and Ameobi had caused problems for United.

"I think we won today because we controlled the game in terms of what we wanted to do," he said.

"We didn't let them play. Physically and aerially today we had an advantage and we capitalised on that."

At Goodison Park, Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard opened the scoring with a freak effort before Bolton hit back with goals from David Ngog and Gary Cahill.

Howard's 63rd minute goal came when the Everton goalkeeper's long clearance was picked up by the wind and bounced over the head of Bolton keeper Adam Bogdan into the net.

But Bolton responded almost immediately, with David Ngog beating John Heitinga and curling a left-footed shot into the far corner.

Cahill - expected to join Chelsea later this month - then drove in the winner for a vital three points for Bolton.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, united-kingdom, england

First posted January 05, 2012 09:12:13

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