Keegan just loving United point

August 18, 2008

Manchester United dropped two points on the opening day of the season for the second year in succession as they battled out a one all draw with Newcastle.

Kevin Keegan’s side have been the subject of much media speculation over the summer, and the Toon certainly look to have not really added anything meaningful to their ranks since the end of last season. This has led many to believe that the legendary gaffer has fallen out with owner Mike Ashley as he believes that progress cannot be made without investment – and to be fair you can see his point.

Yet, the heart and determination which the Geordies played with yesterday would have filled Keegan with so much pride. Never once did they sit back and defend their unlikely point and they got their just rewards at the final whistle.

Martins even put Newcastle ahead mid way through the first half after what seemed like a cast iron penalty decision was waved away. Yet thirty five seconds after the restart the defending champions were level courtesy of a Darren Fletcher strike.

Although both sides had chances to increase the scoring, a draw seemed a fair result and would be one which Keegan would have taken with open arms – in fact he would have loved it!

Keegan to stick with scrapper Barton

July 27, 2008

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan says he’s going to offer jailed midfielder Joey Barton a second chance at Newcastle United.

Barton is expected to be let out of jail next week, serving part of a 6 month sentence for an assault outside a Liverpool branch of McDonalds.

Keegan spoke in support of Barton:

People have opinions, and you must respect those, but mine is to give him another chance and back him.

There are a lot of things he needs to put right - but I think he can do it.

In addition to his current sentence, Barton also has a suspended sentence hanging over him for an assault on a former teammate while at Manchester City.

Joey will be back with us towards the end of this month.

It’s well documented he’s had his problems, but I knew of them when I took over. He’s served his sentence, he’s been punished for what he did wrong.

The world is littered with people that have been given a second chance and taken it with both hands.

I told him as long as from now on he did things right and started to rebuild the confidence of people around him, I would stick by him.

The Joey Barton that we had in the last couple of months of the season was a much-changed character.

I’m hoping that he’ll come back and we’ll get him fit. It’s up to Joey to put things right now - he’s got to win over a lot of people.

Many of the Newcastle fans however are no so much in support of Barton. He will face a lot of stick from his home support, never mind the abuse he’ll face at away games. Barton needs to put in some great performances on the pitch now if he’s to put all of this behind him.

Joey Barton Jailed

May 20, 2008

Newcastle bad boy Joey Barton has been jailed for assault and affray for 6 months. Barton, 25, who currently plays for Newcastle United was caught on CCTV in December 2007 punching one man 20 times and then attacking a teenage boy breaking the lads teeth.

Barton who has one cap for England has made a name for himself with numerous sending offs and beating up team mates while at his first club Manchester City. Along with Barton his cousin and brother pleaded guilty to assault.

The court was informed that before the fight Barton had had 10 pints of larger and five bottle. It has since come out that alcohol is the problem and he’s been attening the sporting chance clinic to get himself clean.

Since the fight Barton has been playing for Newcastle but it’s not sure what future the dirty scouser has. At then end of the day this is what he does on the pitch when he hasn’t had a drink.

Chelsea keep the title alive beating Newcastle

May 5, 2008

After Manchester United resounding win yesterday Chelsea have keep up the heat at the top of the table beating Newcastle 2-0 this afternoon. The win puts Chelsea level on points with United with one game to go, at the moment United are top with a far superior goal difference.

The goals this afternoon came in the second half from Michael Ballack and Florent Malouda. Newcastle could had led in the first half, Michael Owen having two good chances. Ballacks goal was a header from a Drogba free-kick and Malouda latched onto a Lampard pass to secure the win.

United face Wigan in the final game of the season who are in good form, meanwhile Chelsea will face Bolton at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool win the derby and the Toon start to hit form

March 30, 2008

Liverpool managed to pull away from Everton in the league with a win in the Merseyside derby beating Everton. After a first win in three months Newcastle thrashed Spurs at White Hart Lane and Chelsea grabbed a 1-0 win over Boro.

Liverpool 1 - 0 Everton

After losing Cahill for the season Everton had to make a few chances to the side where as Liverpool had to replace Mascherano with Lucas.

The only goal of the game came in the 7th minute.  A corner wasn’t cleared properly by Everton and Alonso nicked the ball from Yakubu, Kuyt passed wide to Torres who slide the ball past Howard. Minutes later Lee Carsley could have been sent off for a high tackle on Torres on the edge of the area. Howard Webb who was always going to have a tough time only showed a yellow.

Liverpool went on to have good chances in the half with Bable, Kuyt and Gerrard having good changed, the Liverpool captain hitting the post.

In the second half Everton could have put themselves on level terms, Osman with a near post header put they looked tired and missed Tim Cahill in the attacking third. Gerrard nearly double the lead late on with a drive from the corner of the box, Howard tipped over. Liverpool now hold the double over their neighbors and five points clear in 4th.

Chelsea 1 - 0 Middlesborough

Like the Liverpool game the home side took the lead early on, a deep freekick from the touchline found Carvalho who looped a header from all of 14 yards. The home side only looked like grabbing an second late on with Wright-Phillips slotting wide once and thumping over after nice play from Kalou.

It was the away side that had the best chance, a ball over top started a 50-50 with Cudicini and Alves. The Brazilian took the ball round the Italian keeper and then shot from about 30 yards to the open goal. With Chelsea defender getting back on the line the were relieved to see the ball hit the post. That wasn’t Boro’s only chance with them hitting the bar twice at a corner, Alves and Wheater with the headers.

Tottenham 1 - 1 Newcastle United

The away side had a great opportunity to take the lead when Habib Beye smashed a shot against the bar. Spurs took the lead though Darren Bent his eighth goal of the season. Just before the break Nicky Butt grabbed the away sides first goal of the match sweeping in a shot into the far corner from 20 yards.

The game really kicked off in the second half, a foul on Martins resulted in a free kick on the edge of the area which Geremi fired in with a little help from Viduka who moved from the wall. The third from Owen came from a Martins run from the touch line and a flick from Viduka.

Before the fourth went in for the home side a Berbatov header was saved well on the line. The final goal came from Martin who took the ball round the last Tottenham man and slotted past Robinson. A great result for King Kev and his Newcastle team are starting show a little confidence.

Keegan finally get his first win

March 22, 2008

Kevin Keegan finally has seen his Newcastle team in his second spell in charge picking up a home win over fellow stragglers Fulham. Mark Viduka scored early on to take the lead of the home side. The game was sealed late on when Owen headed in in the 83rd minute. Manager Kevin Keegan was pleased with the result and the performance of his captain Owen.

“People keep questioning all sorts of things with these great players, but they can answer them

“Michael probably answered a few critics again today - there are plenty out there, from what I am seeing.

“He would certainly be in most people’s England side.”

Keegan still looking for first win as Toon draw at St Andrews

March 17, 2008

Kevin Keegan is still looking for his first win in his second spell at Newcastle after drawing with Birmingham tonight. The match billed as relegation six-pointer ended all square thanks to the first goal in four games for Michael Owen.

Birmingham took the lead in the first half when James McFadden headed in David Murphy’s cross, Faye at the time decided to switch off, something that too many Newcastle players have done too many times this season. Towards then end of the game Maik Taylor kept Birmingham in the match saving form Emre and Martins later on.

Times are getting tough for Newcastle with them only 4 points clear of Bolton who are in the third relegation spot and no wins in 15 matches.

Blackburn charged after “Battle of St James Park”

March 10, 2008

Blackburn Rovers have been charged by the FA for failing to control their players following a brawl during the victory at Newcastle United last weekend.

Central to the charge was Morten Gamst Pedersen’s altercation with Habib Beye which elicited a lengthy fracas which saw players and staff from both sides become involved.

Exciting viewing yes but the FA don’t like it so it is bad.

Rovers have until March 25th to respond to the charge and Winning is Everything understand that they are likely to appeal against it.

Boss Mark Hughes has stated –

“At the end of the day, it was our throw-in and we wanted to take it quickly, but the lad stopped us from doing that and then took exception to us trying to get the ball off him,”
Fair play Sparky – action surely should be taken against Newcastle as well as Blackburn for their part in the incident – it takes two to tango!
Winning is Everything will keep you informed of any further developments…..

Premiership Round Up

February 9, 2008

Another great Premiership Saturday, it was good to get back to watching football after the weeks major news of the announcement of the possibility of a 39th game to be played overseas. With the top 3 not playing the concentration was on the battle for 4th place and the battle of the bottom.

Aston Villa 4 - 1 Newcastle

Kevin Keegan is still without a win in his second spell at Newcastle. Micheal Owen had given the away side the lead in the first half. The second half with a few chances Villa came out on top, a deflected Bouma shot, two Carew headers and a Carew penalty sealed the match. Carew was awesome and fully deserves his hattrik

Everton 1 - 0 Reading

Yakubu was left out after coming back late from the African cup of Nations. The first half of the match was pretty quiet at Goodison Park. The addition of James Vaughan at half time helped, and Everton took the lead when a second ball from a corner found Phil Jageilka who looped in a header at the far post. That defeat for Reading and other results meant that the Royals moved into the bottom three for the first time this season.

Sunderland 2 - 0 Wigan

Sunderland recorded their fourth straight home win, and over fellow relegation rivals meant they moved out of the bottom three. Dickson Etuhu back from the African Cup of Nations grabbed a goal just before half time heading in from a free-kick. The Black Cats doubled the lead in the second half, this was after Wigan hit the woodwork twice, a cracking ball from Andy Reid found Daryl Murphy who thumped in a shot of the underside of the bar form all of 25 yards.

Middlesborough 1 - 0 Fulham

Afonso Alves who signed last week for £12 million started the game on the bench, it was another stirker who grabbed the only goal of the game in the frist half, Jeremie Aliadiere slotting in after breaking the offside trap. Alves came on the second half but was unable to make an impact.

Bolton 0 - 1 Portsmouth

The first half saw former Pompy player Matt Taylor miss a sitter, an open goal from all of 3 yards. The only goal came late in the game for the away side Lassana Diarra with his first goal in the Premiership. He did look offside which compounded the misery for the home side who had been the better side and had been denied by an inform David James on numerous occasions, no doubt that James is England’s number 1.

Derby 0 - 3 Tottenham

Well the Rams managed to hang on till the second half but then Spurs class shone. Robbie Keane tabbed in after Roy Carroll saved from Malbranque. The second from Kaboul when Derby couldn’t clear from a corner. The third form the spot for Berbatov after Stubbs handballed.

West Ham 1 - 1 Birmingham

James McFadden grabbed his first goal for Birmingham again West Ham, the Scot equalized from the spot after he was brought down in the box by Lucas Niell. West Ham had taken the lead in the first half, a long throw was flicked on by Cole and Ljungberg stole in at the far post to tap smash in the opener. Lee Bowyer decide to get himself sent off for a lunge on Johnson, bit of a shocker from Mr Battenburg.

Two games tomorrow complete the weekends football, and you don’t better than Liverpool Chelsea and the Manchester derby.

Barclays Premier League
Chelsea v Liverpool, 16:00
Man Utd v Man City, 13:30

winningiseverything Premiership round-up

February 4, 2008

PremierLeagueLogo

The results are in for the weekends matches, the Premiership finished with for another week.

The big winners this weekend were those at the wrong end of the table really. Fulham, Wigan and Bolton all won their respective games against Villa (2-1), West Ham (1-0) and Reading (2-0) to leave Derby further adrift at the bottom and some worried faces at clubs such as Reading (who are in free-fall), Sunderland and Birmingham.

Arguably anyone up to Tottenham are still in the relegation fight, but with Spurs having an upturn in fortunes and a scoring record the envy of many European contenders they will be fine. After their perhaps surprising 1-1 draw with champions Manchester United they will be looking to move onward and upward toward top-half status.

Newcastle and Middlesbrough played out a dull 1-1 draw as did Derby and Birmingham.

Jermain Defoe will be pleased with his weekends work, as he scored on his debut for Portsmouth against Chelsea to push the London club further behind the leaders.

Speaking of which, Arsenal maintained their excellent form this season with a 3-1 win at Manchester City, with two goals form the superb Adebayor. Wenger just seems to have a knack of selling players when he sees that they are holding up the progression of others. He did it with Viera to allow Fabregas to progress and now he has done it this season, letting Henry go to give Adebayor room to shine. As for Manchester City, they suffered their first home defeat this season and will be hoping that the Benjani deal goes through so that they have a striker that can actually score.

European contenders Blackburn and Everton played out a 0-0 draw at Ewood, but the Toffees will be disappointed that Andy Johnson’s goal in the second half was ruled out by the officials.

Finally, Liverpool recaptured some form as they beat Sunderland 3-0 at home. With their game in hand they may now feel a little more confident for that fourth spot.

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