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| Magnifique: Cabaye celebrates scoring Newcastle's 2nd goal |
Nonetheless it is a piece that I am going to take much pleasure in writing, having just witnessed Newcastle's finest performance of the season by some distance.
Newcastle responded to their defeat at Anfield in remarkable fashion, comfortably dispatching of Manchester United in what was a memorable night at St James' Park.
Alan Pardew reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, switching from the 4-4-1-1 that proved ineffective against Liverpool. Shola Ameobi came in for Haris Vuckic, while Ryan Taylor was pushed to the right wing in place of Gabriel Obertan, Davide Santon taking Taylor's place at left back.
Newcastle started brightly, and although the visitors had early chances to take the lead, the Magpies soon took command, Demba Ba having a claim for a penalty turned down before making amends for squandering a previous chance by volleying superbly into the top corner after Shola Ameobi had flicked on a Tim Krul goal kick.
The expected backlash from the Champions didn't arrive, and after having chances to go further ahead in the first half, Newcastle doubled their lead early in the second when Phil Jones bundled Ba off the ball illegally, allowing Yohan Cabaye to step up and curl a magnificent 30 yard free-kick which bounced off the underside of the bar and over the line, sending the capacity home crowd into raptures.
Seeking to protect what they had earned, Newcastle sat back and invited the visitors to attack them. On any normal night, this would be a dangerous strategy, but this wasn't a normal night, Sir Alex Ferguson's team lacked verve and creativity and they struggled to break down a steely Newcastle defence.
The Magpies' work rate defined what was a tireless display from Pardew's men, chasing and harrying at every opportunity, they refused to allow the Man United midfield any time on the ball, virtually cutting off the visitors supply line.
On the rare occasions when the Newcastle defence was breached, they proved equal to the task, Danny Simpson clearing off the line when a Wayne Rooney strike trickled its way past Tim Krul.
Rooney was eventually replaced by Brazilian midfielder Anderson, a bemusing substitution given the circumstances, and it had little effect on the game's outcome as Newcastle were able comfortably hold on to their two goal advantage.
There was still time late on for the finishing touches to be applied to a magnificent night for the Magpies, as England international Phil Jones diverted Tim Krul's long goal kick past Anders Lindegaard and into his own net, compounding the visitors' misery and capping off a spectacular victory for Newcastle United.
The victory leaves Newcastle just one point behind Liverpool, and just four points adrift of 4th place Chelsea. A Champions League berth is likely beyond the reach of Pardew's charges, but this emphatic triumph will give them renewed energy and confidence as they look to sustain their European challenge.
Demba Ba and Cheick Tiote will now depart for the African Cup of Nations, and the pair showcased just how much Newcastle will miss them in the coming weeks. Ba continued his rich vein of form with another superbly taken finish and was a menace to the Manchester United back four throughout.
Ivorian Tiote has endured an indifferent campaign but produced a commanding performance in the midfield which helped give Newcastle the foothold they needed to dominate the game.
Still despite the upcoming absence of Ba and Tiote, Newcastle will be looking to collect a good haul of points as they enter a run of fixtures that includes home games against the likes of QPR, Aston Villa and Wolves.
For now though Newcastle will turn their attention to the 3rd Round of the FA Cup and Blackburn Rovers, who the Magpies face at St James Park on Saturday.
The FA Cup is a competition that is dear to the hearts of many Newcastle United fans, and it is one that the club will believe they can win. If they can continue to perform as they did this evening they have a very good chance of doing so.
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