Newcastle crush West Brom to return to top four trail

Hatem Ben Arfa's display was key to Newcastle's success

'Winning breeds confidence'. It is a cliched platitude that is often uttered in football circles, and it is one that, more often than not, proves to be correct.

In the case of Newcastle United, their win against Norwich City after a streak of four games without victory, has clearly invigorated the side and this was evident from the beginning of Sunday's contest at West Bromwich Albion.

The Magpies win against Norwich in the previous week was gritty and unattractive, by contrast their triumph over Roy Hodgson's in-form Baggies was filled with expressive attacking play and an incisiveness that cut the home defence apart with surprising regularity. 

Newcastle looked threatening right from the first whistle, Yohan Cabaye and Danny Guthrie controlled the middle of the field, while Jonas Gutierrez and Hatem Ben Arfa caused Albion a multitude of problems down the left hand side. 

Demba Ba went close early on when his shot was tipped over by Scott Carson, but Newcastle were rewarded for an extremely positive start when Gutierrez slipped a clever ball through to Ben Arfa who delivered a well placed ball in from the left flank for Papiss Cisse to tap home from close range. 

The lead was doubled six minutes later with Ben Arfa at the forefront once more as he executed a wonderful counter attack to add Newcastle's second. The former Marseille man collected a clearance from Fabrico Coloccini, quickly exchanged passes with both Cabaye and Cisse before surging up the pitch and into the West Brom box to cut onto his left foot and fire a curling effort past Carson.

Albion enjoyed a spell of possession and territory shortly after, midfielder James Morrison fired a volley over and had a goal correctly ruled out for offside, while striker Marc Antoine-Fortune headed over from a corner.

Papiss Cisse has now scored five in six for Newcastle 

Newcastle weathered this short storm and soon found themselves three to the good as Cisse netted his second of the game and his fifth in six appearances since joining the club from Freiburg in January. 

The Magpies' third was arguably the best goal of the game and came a result of some more neat interplay from Ben Arfa. The Frenchman raced away on another counter and linked up cleverly with Ba before pulling the ball back for Cisse to rattle home a left footed strike. 

Captain Coloccini was replaced by Davide Santon at half time after the Argentine suffered a hamstring stain towards the end of the first half. Newcastle continued to throw caution to the wind however, and Senegalese international Cisse should have had his hat-rick when he was played through by Cabaye early into the second period, but the striker hit a tame effort straight at Carson. 

Cisse could have been left to rue his miss had West Brom been able to add to the one goal they were able to pull back shortly after, when substitute Shane Long capitalised on a miscommunication between Tim Krul and Mike Williamson to volley into an empty net.

From then on it was a comfortable afternoon for Newcastle, Ben Arfa, enjoying his best performance in a Newcastle shirt, marauded forward at will and forced a smart save from Carson after slicing through the Albion midfield with consummate ease. 

West Brom created little and seemed to lose attacking impetus after Morrison was withdrawn from the field with knee ligament damage. 

The Baggies can have little complaints though, from the beginning of the first half this was Newcastle's day and they kept their nerve to earn a well deserved three points that puts them level on points with 5th placed Chelsea and just five behind 4th placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has already dismissed the notion could finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League citing a lack of squad depth. Still Magpies' fans can dare to dream, and although the injury to Coloccini - which Pardew has said could keep the defender out for 3 to 4 games - is a blow to to their cause, Newcastle have demonstrated great resiliency and spirit throughout the campaign and hopes of a berth in Europe's top club competition should not be discredited just yet. 

Next up for the Geordies is a game against 7th placed Liverpool. The fixture will see a return to St James Park for Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique, but it will more importantly play a big role in deciding where Newcastle finish the season. Pardew's side currently hold an eight point advantage over Kenny Dalglish's men, avoid defeat and the Magpies should be able to sew up 6th place, win and the Toon Army can be forgiven for setting their sights on a place in Europe's elite competition. 

Newcastle rediscover winning touch despite off colour display

Matchwinner: Papiss Cisse scores the only goal of the game

After a gut wrenching defeat against Arsenal, Newcastle needed to return to winning ways, and they did just that as they edged to an unfashionable win over Norwich City.

In the end, Papiss Cisse's 11th minute strike proved to be enough to see off a gutsy Canaries side, but it was a far from vintage display from the Magpies, hindered by the absence of Cheick Tiote, who missed the contest with a thigh injury.

Manager Alan Pardew opted to abandon the 4-4-2 formation deployed at the Emirates last Monday in favour of a 4-3-1-2 set up. Jonas Gutierrez was moved to the unfamiliar position of left back while James Perch and Danny Guthrie partnered Yohan Cabaye in a three man midfield. Hatem Ben Arfa kept his place in the side playing in behind the front two of Cisse and Demba Ba.

The decision to change shape looked to have been an intelligent one in the early stages as Newcastle dominated. Cisse should have opened the scoring inside the first ten minutes when he was put through on goal  by Cabaye's excellent lofted ball over the Norwich defence. However Cisse failed to get enough elevation on his effort to lob the onrushing John Ruddy, who was able to make a comfortable save.

Ruddy could do nothing to prevent Cisse's next effort however, as the Senegalese international timed his run to perfection to meet Gutierrez's perfectly weighted delivery with a deft flick that flew past the Norwich stopper and into the top corner of the net.

That should have opened the floodgates, Norwich had offered little going forward and appeared fragile in defence. Ruddy was called into action on a number of occasions, denying both Ba and Cisse with two more fine stops.

However, the home side's momentum quickly dwindled, Newcastle begun to look sloppy in possession and allowed Norwich to exert an increasing amount of influence on the contest. Jonny Howson should have levelled after Mike Williamson was caught in possession, but still Paul Lambert's men struggled to create any clear cut opportunities despite the added possession they enjoyed.

If Ruddy had prevented the game from becoming a rout in the First Half, then his counterpart Tim Krul certainly stopped the Canaries from equalising in the Second Half. The Dutchman made two fantastic saves in quick succession, first denying Anthony Pilkington before thwarting Zak Whitbread with a superb fingertip save after the defender had rose highest to head Elliot Bennett's well placed cross towards goal.

That proved to be the end of Norwich's threatening forays into the Newcastle half and the Geordies were able to comfortably see out the game. Pardew's substitutions played a key role in the Magpies' ability to ensure that the game finished without further incident. Davide Santon was brought on for Ben Arfa and Shola Ameobi replaced Cisse.

These changes settled down a Newcastle side that had been largely erratic in the second period, Ameobi's proficiency in holding the ball up is a continual calming influence on a Magpies unit that has found maintaining possession increasingly difficult in more recent outings.

The game meandered towards its conclusion and Newcastle had earned the three points they so desperately craved, still the nature in which he Magpies achieved victory left a lot to be desired. The Geordie faithful are hopeful that the end of this season will bring a return to European Football for Newcastle, and another morale boosting triumph at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday would go a long way to making that dream a reality.

Late Vermaelen strike breaks Newcastle hearts

Newcastle's hopes of finishing in the Champions League places have been all but extinguished after an injury time strike from Thomas Vermaelen denied the Magpies a vital point at the Emirates Stadium.

Alan Pardew's side had taken the lead on 14 minutes when Hatem Ben Arfa, awarded a start by Pardew after his impressive performance in the Tyne-Wear derby, cut in off the right flank to rattle in a vicious left footed strike that beat Wojciech Szczesny at the Polish keeper's near post.

Within fifty four seconds Arsenal were level, Robin Van Persie slotting home past Tim Krul after collecting Theo Walcott's right -wing cross and wrong-footing Mike Williamson.

Newcastle proceeded to spend much of the game on the back foot with Arsenal enjoying the lion's share of possession, clear cut chances were few however, and Pardew's charges performed admirably in stifling a Gunners' side that have been in potent form in recent weeks.

Arsene Wenger's men continued to control the game in the second period, but an organised Newcastle side demonstrated the kind of defensive fortitude that has made them a very difficult team to beat this campaign. Tomas Rosicky; Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Gervinho all saw chances come and go and it appeared that Newcastle's defensive efforts, led by the magnificent Cheick Tiote, would be rewarded.

However, football can be a cruel game and deep into the allotted five minutes of injury time Arsenal provided the sting in the tail. Newcastle conceded possession for a throw-in well inside the Arsenal half and the Gunners broke quickly with several Magpies' players stranded further up the field. The ball came wide to Walcott, whose deflected cross fell to Vermaelen who prodded home from short range to finally break down the visitors' resistance and send the Emirates into raptures.

The timing of the goal meant there was no way back for Newcastle, but there was still time for the game to be slightly marred by a spat between compatriots Van Persie and Krul. The dispute had been brewing throughout the contest after Van Persie accused the Newcastle keeper of time-wasting in the first half.

The disagreement was in truth nothing more than a bit of 'handbags' but the manner in which Van Persie taunted Krul and Newcastle was disappointing from a player who has been the picture of professionalism for Arsenal this season.

Newcastle will rightfully be extremely disappointed by the nature of the defeat and the way in which they conceded the two goals. Both were avoidable defensively, but in such moments over-criticism can be detrimental and Pardew will surely be keen for his squad to bounce back mentally ahead of what is now a must-win game against Norwich at St James' Park on Sunday.

Arsenal preview: Capital gains key for Newcastle's European challenge

Newcastle head to the Emirates Stadium looking to open up an eight point gap over Liverpool in the race for a top six finish.

The Champions League is beginning to look a little beyond the Magpies' reach, however a European finish is still well within their grasp and any kind of result against Arsene Wenger's resurgent Arsenal would go a long way to cementing Newcastle's place in the Premier League's top six. A 6th placed finish should be enough to bring European football back to St James' Park.

Arsenal are in fine form going into the contest, Wenger's men have beaten both Tottenham and Liverpool in recent weeks, and came close to coming back from a four goal aggregate deficit as they thumped AC Milan 3-0 in the Champions League.

Newcastle on the other hand approach the game on the back of two consecutive home draws. The Magpies surrendered a two goal lead to allow Wolverhampton Wanderers to leave with a point, before Shola Ameobi rescued one for the Geordies in a thrilling Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.

Andre Santos is expected to return to the Arsenal squad after fully recovering from a broken ankle, while Aaron Ramsey, who has also been struggling with an ankle problem, should play a part. Yossi Benayoun is a doubt with a virus, but it is expected to be a strong Gunners side that will take the field on Monday night. Though Jack Wilshere is still a long term absentee in the Arsenal midfield.

There are no fresh injury concerns for Newcastle, although Danish striker Peter Lovenkrands is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a thigh injury in the game against Sunderland. Therefore Alan Pardew will have a close to full strength side to choose from, as he looks to try and stop the explosive trio of Robin Van Persie; Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Pardew was criticised for being too attacking in his philosophy the last time Newcastle competed in North London, when they were hammered 5-0 by Tottenham at White Hart Lane. The Magpies were without both Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote that day, James Perch and Danny Guthrie were deployed in midfield their stead, and Newcastle were consequently overrun in the middle of the park.

The presence of Tiote and Cabaye should allow Newcastle to attack with more vigour, both were excellent in the Tyne-Wear derby last Sunday, with Cabaye providing the cross that resulted in Ameobi's injury time equaliser.

Pardew has mooted the idea of starting Hatem Ben Arfa at the Emirates, Papiss Cisse is the expected casualty if the former Lyon and Marseille man does start.

Newcastle do not have a great record in the Capital, and they have collected just one point from their journeys to London this season. They did however, take all three points from the Emirates last term, when an Andy Carroll header was enough to give a Newcastle side, then managed by Chris Hughton, the win.

Victory is by no means essential for Newcastle on Monday night, but another Emirates triumph would move them just two points shy of Arsenal and Chelsea and put them back in contention for the fourth and final Champions League place.

A late late report for a late late equaliser: Shola the scourge of the Mackems once again

Shola Ameobi: Mackem slayer

Shola Ameobi has a habit of scoring important Derby day goals, and it was one that he indulged in once more as he rescued a point for Newcastle in a feisty clash with local rivals Sunderland.

The goal sparked jubilant celebrations in the stands as relief washed over St James' Park. Newcastle had dominated the Second Half but had been kept at bay by 10 man Sunderland, who battled bravely to try and protect the one goal lead they earned through Nicklas Bendtner's first half penalty. 

Newcastle's cause had appeared to be a lost one, Demba Ba had spurned a chance to draw his side level when his spot kick was tipped away by Simon Mignolet and opportunities continued to go begging as the minutes slipped away. However, in the first minute of injury time, Mike Williamson flicked on Yohan Cabaye's deep cross for Ameobi, who tapped home at the near post to break Sunderland hearts and send the capacity St James' Park crowd into raptures.

The Magpies then had chances to snatch victory, but Sunderland were able to hold out for a share of spoils, a result that many will have seen as a fair one after witnessing what was an enthralling contest.

It was a typically fractious opening to the game, which began with an ugly tackle on Cheick Tiote from Sunderland Captain Lee Cattermole. The tackles continued to fly in, Cabaye was cautioned for a challenge on Bardsley before a mini brawl erupted after a rash challenge from James McClean on Danny Simpson. 

Sunderland pressed well as a group and hunted Newcastle down in packs when the Magpies were in possession, and they were rewarded for a strong start when they were given a penalty after Williamson was adjudged to have pulled down Bendtner in the box. 

The Mackems had chances to double the lead, but Newcastle soon grew into the contest and should have equalised when Ba headed Ryan Taylor's corner against the crossbar just before Half Time.

Newcastle improved greatly after the break, and this coincided with the introduction of Hatem Ben Arfa, the dynamic midfielder, who instantly provided his side with extra attacking impetus.

Ben Arfa's presence undoubtedly shifted the momentum towards Newcastle, and the home side began to take a stranglehold on the game. The Magpies' cause was helped by the dismissal of the influential Stephane Sessegnon, who was sent off for elbowing Cheick Tiote in an off the ball incident.

Tensions were high in the dugouts as well as on the pitch, with Alan Pardew and Martin O'Neill continually exchanging verbal blows. Their spat an entertaining side show to one of the most heated Tyne-Wear derbies in recent years.

Sunderland continued to hold firm however, and even when their defence was breached, Mignolet proved almost unbeatable. The Belgian palmed away Ben Arfa's superb left foot strike before denying Ba from the spot after Frazier Campbell had felled Ameobi.

Ba may have wasted his opportunity, but Ameobi soon made amends for Ba's profligacy with his dramatic late leveller. Newcastle will feel that they could have taken all three points, but the manner in which they earned the point should surely give them confidence as they head to the Emirates Stadium on Monday evening to take on Arsenal. 

Sunderland - who will have to wait another season for potential derby success -  take on Liverpool, who sit five points below Newcastle in seventh position, and could do Pardew's side a large favour if they are able to take any points off the League Cup winners and dent their Champions League ambitions.  

Beye: Broken promises forced me to leave Newcastle

Hello dear readers, I have returned from my break in Paris and I am back to kick things off with a new blog entry.

My review of the Tyne-Wear derby will be uploaded shortly, but for the time being I have a few tidbits from an impromptu meeting with former Newcastle star Habib Beye, who I happened to be sat next to on the flight back from Charles De Gaulle Airport.

Beye was complimentary about his former club, despite exiting under slightly acrimonious circumstances following the club's relegation from the Premier League in 2009. The defender, who is now with Doncaster Rovers, explained his reasons for leaving Tyneside, he said:

"Newcastle is a great club, the only problem is Mike Ashley. I didn't leave because of relegation, I was promised in the summer that Alan (Shearer) would be in charge. That didn't happen so I left."

Yours truly with Habib Beye

The former Senegal international also had some kind words for Marseille, who he captained for two years before departing for North-East England.

"In my opinion the two top teams in France are Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain, they have the best fans and the most of atmospheric stadia of all the clubs in the French league.

Beye, in spite of the terms of his departure, holds no grudges towards Newcastle and is happy to see the club flying high in the top tier of English football, he said:

"I love Newcastle and I'm pleased that they are going well in the Premier League once again."