Taylor salvages a point for struggling Newcastle

March 15, 2009

HULL, England (AFP) – Newcastle remain deep in relegation trouble despite salvaging a 1-1 draw at Hull on Saturday.

Only goal difference is keeping Newcastle outside the relegation zone after Magpies defender Steven Taylor cancelled out Geovanni’s early opener at the KC Stadium.

Newcastle, with manager Joe Kinnear still recovering from a triple heart bypass operation, have won just one of their last 11 league matches and sit two places above the bottom three.

There was a pre-match boost for Newcastle as England striker Michael Owen returned after five games out with an ankle injury.

But it was Hull who made the more lively start. The Tigers took the lead in the ninth minute through Geovanni after an inspired run from deep inside his own half by the former Barcelona player.

He picked up possession after a Newcastle attack broke down and burst forward to set Craig Fagan free down the left.

He then continued his run into the box and Fagan picked him out with an excellent cross which dipped over Sebastien Bassong. Geovanni headed firmly past Steve Harper for his seventh goal of the campaign but his first since November.

Newcastle responded through an effort from Obafemi Martins, who whipped a shot just over from inside the box.

Fagan, whose leg was broken in the reverse fixture last September, was booked for confronting Taylor following a clash between the pair.

Geovanni won a free-kick on the edge of the area after being clipped by Geremi and his curling effort was narrowly off-target.

Newcastle levelled against the run of play seven minutes before half-time when Butt crossed and Taylor flicked a volley over Matt Duke.

Daniel Cousin had a chance to restore Hull’s lead before the break but shot well wide.

Martins had a good chance on the volley soon after half-time but Hull skipper Ian Ashbee blocked.

Hull substitute Manucho, on at the break, was quickly into the action and forced Harper to save low down after being fed by Bernard Mendy.

A good run by Geremi then allowed Martins to set up Jonas Gutierrez but the Argentinian curled his effort over.

Newcastle switched off again and Mendy should have punished them after breaking clear down the right.

Manucho was unmarked in the box but the Frenchman badly mishit his cross and a relieved Harper was able to gather.

It proved to be a quiet return for Owen and after 72 ineffective minutes he was withdrawn by caretaker boss Chris Hughton.

Written by: AFP

Tags: ankle injury, ashbee, Barcelona, bernard mendy, daniel cousin, England, English Premier League, fagan, geovanni, geremi, goal difference, heart bypass operation, HULL, hull england, joe kinnear, kc stadium, magpies, michael owen, NEWCASTLE, play seven, relegation zone, Sebastien Bassong, steve harper, steven taylor, target, triple heart bypass

Owen´s return can fire Newcastle to safety- Hughton

March 11, 2009

NEWCASTLE, England (AFP) – Newcastle captain Michael Owen’s return from injury will provide the impetus to save the struggling Premier League club from relegation, according to caretaker manager Chris Hughton.

Owen, 29, has missed the last five matches after suffering an ankle ligament injury during Newcastle’s defeat at Manchester City on January 28.

In the England striker’s absence, Newcastle, whose manager Joe Kinnear is recovering from triple heart bypass surgery, have been unable to pull clear of the relegation zone and they travel to Hull on Saturday just one point above the bottom three.

But Owen is back for the KC Stadium clash this week and Hughton is confident the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star can play a crucial role in firing Newcastle to safety.

"At a time like now when we know we are going into the last phase of the season, you want as many of your big players around the squad as possible, and Michael is certainly one of those," Hughton said on Wednesday.

"As our captain, Michael is arguably the biggest of the lot of them. His presence around the squad is always a plus but to actually have him available to play really is a boost for us going into the Hull game.

"For numerous teams between now and the end of the season, their ability to score goals will be crucial to where they end up.

"Michael isn’t just one of the best strikers in the Premier League, he is one of the best strikers around anywhere. You have to look at his record.

"These have been tough times for Michael regarding injuries but the one thing that remains consistent is that, when he plays, he scores goals.

"That’s testimony to the type of player he is."

Newcastle have won only one of the five games for which Owen has been out of action and taken just five points in the process.

Hughton knows Owen’s goals are Newcastle’s best hope of scrambling enough points from their remaining 10 games to stay up, but he called on the rest of the squad to share the burden.

"Anyone would rather have Michael Owen in the squad than not in the squad," he said. "We want him, most definitely, because of what he brings to the team.

"But what will bring us the edge over our rivals is the team’s performance on the day.

"For everything Michael is, he’s one of just 11 players, he can’t win games on his own.

"We have to perform well. If Michael is going to score goals, he needs someone to provide those goals for him.

"If we give him the ammunition, though, he is one of the best at putting them away."

Written by: AFP

Tags: ankle ligament injury, captain michael, captain Michael Owen, caretaker manager, Chris Hughton, England, English Premier League, five games, five points, HULL, hull game, impetus, joe kinnear, kc stadium, Liverpool, MADRID, manchester city, Michael, michael owen, NEWCASTLE, newcastle england, quot, Real, real madrid, relegation zone, strikers, tough times, triple heart bypass, triple heart bypass surgery

Newcastle rule out bringing in new boss

February 25, 2009

NEWSCASTLE (AFP) – Newcastle have ruled out a move to bring in a new manager while Joe Kinnear recovers from a triple heart bypass operation.

Wigan manager Steve Bruce has been linked with the post but managing director, Derek Llambias, said he was confident coaches Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood could steer the club to Premier League survival.

"Chris has done a good job," Llambias said. "He is full of confidence. Colin is in there helping us and Joe is still in the background. We are happy with that situation, and that will take us through until the end of the season."

Kinnear, 62, was discharged from hospital on Saturday following his surgery and has been told not to consider returning to work for at least two months.

He is however in regular phone contact with Hughton. "Unless they cut the phone lines around his house, there’s no way he won’t communicate," Llambias said. "I have had to tell him he is meant to be resting. It’s the way Joe is."

Tottenham’s win over Hull on Monday night pushed Newcastle back down to 15th in the table, three places and five points above the relegation zone with 12 games to play.

The club meanwhile have reacted to the current economic crisis by cutting season ticket prices for 2009/10 back to last season’s levels, an average reduction of nine percent on the levels of this campaign.

Newcastle’s poor form this season has resulted in a fall in attendances with only three matches this season attracting crowds of over 50,000 to the 52,000-capacity St James’ Park.

Written by: AFP

Tags: Chris, Chris Hughton, Colin, colin calderwood, crowds, Derek Llambias, economic crisis, English Premier League, five points, good job, heart bypass operation, HULL, james park, Joe, joe kinnear, league survival, managing director, monday night, new boss, NEWCASTLE, newscastle, premier league, quot, relegation zone, season ticket prices, St James, st james park, Steve Bruce, tottenham, triple heart bypass

Newcastle´s 10-men frustrate Everton

February 22, 2009

NEWCASTLE (AFP) – Newcastle managed to grind out a goalless draw against Everton on Sunday despite Kevin Nolan’s first half dismissal at St James’ Park.

Nolan was sent off just before the interval for a horrendous two-footed foul on Victor Anichebe, but the hosts were able to hold on for a point without many alarms as Everton struggled to turn their advantage into goal scoring opportunities.

Newcastle’s point lifted them five points clear of the relegation zone, while Everton remain in sixth place.

With manager Joe Kinnear absent again as he continues his recovery from a triple heart bypass, Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins returned to the squad for the first time since December following a hernia injury and was named on the bench alongside Australia forward Mark Viduka.

The game kicked off against the backdrop of a protest by a section of the home support against the current regime at St James’ Park at the city’s Gray’s Monument an hour earlier.

Everton were quickly into their stride and Dan Gosling broke from deep before blasting a low shot just wide.

But the visitors suffered a major blow with three minutes gone when Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta was stretchered off after twisting his knee in a challenge with Peter Lovenkrands.

Even that didn’t completely throw Everton though and Newcastle defender Sebastien Bassong had to clear off the line when Joseph Yobo’s header was blocked by keeper Steve Harper.

Phil Jagielka volleyed a Leighton Baines cross wide at the back post seconds later before Harper had to race off his line to deny Jo after the Brazilian broke free.

Harper saved his side when he blocked Jack Rodwell’s volley with his legs.

Newcastle should have taken the lead when Shola Ameobi flicked Ryan Taylor’s pass to Nolan, who played in Lovenkrands, but the Dane pushed his shot wide of the post with only keeper Tim Howard to beat.

The match turned in Everton’s favour after a moment of madness from Nolan in the 44th minute. The midfielder launched into an ugly studs-up lunge on Anichebe, leaving referee Lee Mason with no option but to send him off.

Yobo went close to giving Everton the lead early in the second half when he blasted just over the bar from a corner.

Newcastle had a sight of goal when Ryan Taylor’s free-kick three minutes later forced a fine stop from Howard.

But Everton were on top for long periods and Newcastle stand-in manager Chris Hughton responded by sending on Martins after 58 minutes.

Everton boss David Moyes responded with a switch of his own as France striker Louis Saha, making his first appearance since damaging a hamstring in November, came on.

Former Newcastle star Saha almost made an instant impact as he forced Harper into a rushed clearance of Steven Taylor’s poor backpass.

Saha then fired over from 25 yards and Nolan was soon breathing a sigh of relief as the final whistle sounded.

Written by: AFP

Tags: ameobi, Australia, Chris Hughton, Dan Gosling, Dane, David Moyes, English Premier League, France, Howard, Jack Rodwell, joe kinnear, joseph yobo, Kevin Nolan, leighton baines, louis saha, Mark, mark viduka, Mikel Arteta, moment of madness, NEWCASTLE, Nolan, obafemi martins, peter lovenkrands, Phil Jagielka, relegation zone, rodwell, ryan taylor, s pass, Sebastien Bassong, st james park, steve harper, steven taylor, tim howard, triple heart bypass, Victor Anichebe

Kinnear to have triple heart bypass op

February 13, 2009

NEWCASTLE, England (AFP) – Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear will undergo a triple heart bypass operation on Friday, the Premier League club confirmed on Thursday.

Kinnear’s assistants Chris Hughton and Colin Calderwood will continue to look after first-team affairs at St James’ Park.

They have been in charge since Kinnear was taken to hospital complaining of pains in his arms ahead of his side’s win at West Bromwich Albion last Saturday.

After a series of tests it was decided that the 62-year-old needs the operation immediately.

In 1999, Kinnear suffered a heart attack before a match against Sheffield Wednesday during his time as Wimbledon manager.

A club statement said: "Newcastle United can confirm that manager Joe Kinnear will undergo a triple heart bypass operation tomorrow (Friday).

"Joe was admitted to hospital on Saturday morning in the midlands after reporting feeling unwell at the team’s hotel ahead of the game at West Bromwich Albion.

"Tests have since confirmed Joe requires surgery, after which he will need to rest for a period of at least eight weeks."

Written by: AFP