Cabaye confirms Newcastle's place in Europe

Masterclass: Yohan Cabaye celebrates his second goal 

European football is to return to St James' Park after Newcastle United romped to a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Stoke City.

The win confirmed that the Magpies will at least be competing in the Europa League next season as Everton failed to win against Manchester United at Old Trafford - though they did play out a thoroughly entertaining 4-4 draw with Sir Alex Ferguson's side - a result which leaves the Toffees unable to overtake Newcastle in the league.

That Newcastle have now qualified for European competition is no surprise, their performances throughout the season have merited a return to continental football,something that they have not experienced since 2007. What has come as a shock to many observes is that Alan Pardew's men continue to demolish teams with a style and confidence befitting that of a Champions League team.

If they are able to maintain current form then the Champions League is exactly where Newcastle will find themselves, the Geordies now occupy the fourth and final qualification place for European football's biggest club competition and sit three points ahead of nearest rivals Tottenham Hotspur - who slipped to defeat at Queens Park Rangers - and just two behind third placed Arsenal.

Saturday's triumph was masterminded by Yohan Cabaye, the French midfield general was at the forefront of Newcastle's vibrant attacking play and was rewarded with two goals.

Cabaye nodded in the game's opener from close range 14 minutes in, Hatem Ben Arfa, who was in typical swashbuckling form swung in a deep cross which was met perfectly by Papiss Cisse. The Senegal international's effort crashed against the bar but Cabaye showed the quickest reactions and judged the flight of the rebound perfectly to give Newcastle a deserved lead.

Four minutes later and the former Lille man turned provider, as he and Cisse produced a passage of play that was as close as you can get to footballing telepathy. Cabaye collected Jonas Gutierrez's pass on the left hand side and slid a expertly timed long range pass through the Stoke back line and into the path of Cisse, who - after timing his angled run perfectly - proceeded to slot the ball past Asmir Begovic and into the bottom corner.

Newcastle took their foot of the gas slightly after the break but still poured forward with enthusiasm and vigour. Pardew's charges were denied a third goal shortly into the second half when Cisse prodded home a rebound after Demba Ba's fierce drive had been spilled by Begovic. However the linesman ruled that Cisse had been offside, a decision that appeared contentious at best.

The Magpies did have their third moments later though, as Cabaye curled an exquisite shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area to seal another fine three points and put the pressure on their rivals in what is in an increasingly intriguing battle for the final two places in the top four. 

Stoke did have their chances, most notably six minutes into the contest when Jonathan Walters fired over after latching on to a Peter Crouch knockdown, but in truth Newcastle could have won by more. A Cheick Tiote piledriver was well saved by Begovic, and Fabricio Coloccini should have scored when he headed wide from a Ben Arfa corner.  

Indeed, Newcastle may well have triumphed by a wider margin, but the manner of the win and the artistry of their performance sent a clear statement of intent to the rest of the league. The Magpies have now won six games on the bounce and if the victory over Stoke is anything to go by, they certainly aren't finished yet.

Vertonghen a must if Newcastle reach Champions League

As Newcastle continue to battle for a place in next season's Champions League, rumours are beginning to surface as to which players Alan Pardew could recruit should his team qualify for Europe's biggest club competition.

One player whose name has re-surfaced as a potential target for the Magpies is Ajax Captain Jan Vertonghen, the Belgian centre-back is widely anticipated to leave the Dutch giants in the summer, with Arsenal and Tottenham also mentioned as possible contenders for his signature.

Pardew was pictured at the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday as Vertonghen and his team mates romped to a comfortable 3-1 win over Eredivisie basement dwellers De Graafschap. 

The Newcastle boss will certainly have been impressed by Vertonghen's performance as he showcased his skills as a ball playing centre half, setting up Derk Boerrigter for the Champions' third goal.

Competition for Vertonghen's services will be stiff, and he will command a fee of at least £10m, but after watching the 24-year-old on a visit to Amsterdam earlier in the season, I am of the opinion that an investment in Vertonghen would be an extremely wise one on Newcastle's part.

Pardew has often spoken of his desire to ensure that Newcastle control more games and dominate possession, and this is certainly something that they have been able to achieve in their recent unbeaten run. However, in order to do this on a European stage they would certainly require more players of a higher calibre who are comfortable with the ball at their feet.

Vertonghen certainly fits the bill, much like current Newcastle Captain Fabricio Coloccini he is a defender who is not afraid to attack and is often at the centre of Ajax's forays into the opposition half. Unlike Coloccini however, the Belgian is relatively prolific in front of goal, he has scored nine goals in all competitions this season, an impressive tally for a central defender.

Indeed, Vertonghen is a rare breed of defender who excels in both defence and attack, comfortable in the air and in possession, the Germinal Beerschot academy product reads the game excellently and his intelligence and assuredness at the back has seen him rise remarkably quickly through the ranks at one of European football's most famous clubs. 

Newcastle's strikers have been on top form throughout the current campaign, but Vertonghen's goal scoring prowess would certainly be of use to the Magpies as they look set to compete on four fronts next season.

The Geordies have been linked with a host of other names in recent weeks, including FC Twente's Brazilian centre back Douglas, Montpellier's Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and PSV Eindhoven full back Erik Pieters.

Yanga-Mbiwa is another that likely need an assurance of Champions League football to make the move to the North-East with Montpellier sitting two points ahead of Paris Saint-Germain in the race for the Ligue 1 title.

A move for Pieters on the other hand would not be a surprise, the Dutch international was repeatedly linked with a switch to St James' Park last summer, and has a good relationship with Newcastle Goalkeeper Tim Krul. The Eindhoven man can operate on the left side of the defence or in the middle and his versatility would certainly give Pardew more options in defence, an area in which Newcastle have become extremely stretched over the last few weeks.

It is negotiations with Douglas that appear to be at the most advanced stage however, with rumours circulating that Newcastle have already agreed a deal to bring the player to the club.

The Brazilian is not a ball playing centre half like Vertonghen, but his presence could definitely help sure up the Newcastle back line. Standing at 6ft 4in, Douglas is a dominant physical presence that would not be daunted by the challenge of facing up to some of the Premier League's more intimidating strikers. His height would also  be useful in helping the Magpies deal with set pieces, an area of the game that they struggled with this season.

Newcastle will certainly require a number of reinforcements for any potential European challenge, further up the field the Pardew's side have been linked with a move for midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson and have reportedly already agreed to sign Reims' winger Romain Amalfitano.

However, if the Geordies are destined to play in the Champions League, then their first port of call should be to Amsterdam to secure the capture of Vertonghen, a player who could make a huge impact for the club at both ends of the pitch. 

Newcastle not at Wembley but five Cup Finals lie ahead

Newcastle United do not play this weekend, as their scheduled opponents for this weekend, Chelsea, take part in Sunday's FA Cup Semi-Final with Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley.

A great time then to reflect on the Magpies' remarkable season so far and look ahead to the final five games that will prove vital in determining the outcome of a campaign in which Alan Pardew's side have won many admirers.

Around six weeks ago, Newcastle's season looked in danger of fizzling out, they had just earned themselves a point in the Tyne-Wear derby thanks to a late goal from Shola Ameobi after previously squandering a two goal lead and settling for a share of spoils against basement club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

What came next could well be viewed as a season defining moment for Newcastle. On the verge of earning a credible 1-1 draw at Arsenal thanks to a goal from Hatem Ben Arfa, Pardew's men threw too many men forward and conceded a late winner as Thomas Vermaelen prodded home from close range after a superb Gunners' counter.

Pardew's charges stood stunned, fatigued and generally devastated. However, the definition of a good team is how they handle and ultimately react to disappointment. Luckily, Newcastle have reacted splendidly, they have been nothing short of spectacular since getting back to winning ways with a 1-0 triumph over Norwich City.

Indeed, Newcastle have now won five consecutive matches, dismantling West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool while effectively dispatching of Swansea and Bolton Wanderers.

A number of factors have contributed to the Magpies' rediscovered consistency. A steely resolve has always been present within this Newcastle side, and this has helped them remain solid defensively despite injuries to Fabricio Coloccini and Cheick Tiote. Pardew's men have conceded just one goal in their last five outings with James Perch and Mike Williamson surprising many with their effectiveness at the back.

The main reason for Newcastle's winning run however has been the decision by Pardew to switch from a 4-4-2 to a 4-4-3 formation. The change has improved the form of Yohan Cabaye, who is now playing in a slightly more advanced position with more freedom to attack in the centre of the midfield three, but the two players it has had the biggest effect on are Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cisse.

Ben Arfa has recaptured the form he demonstrated on many occasions in his spells at Lyon and Olympique Marseille, scoring three goals - including the magnificent solo effort against Bolton Wanderers on Easter Monday - and chipping with three assists in the last six games.

Cisse's rise has been nothing short of sensational, the Senegalese international made a decent start to his career on Tyneside, netting on debut against Aston Villa and again in the draw with Wolves. He then endured after a brief goalless spell, but has since netted in each of Newcastle's last five victories. Notching twice against West Brom; Liverpool and Swansea and taking his tally to a phenomenal ten goals in nine games.

The former Freiburg man may be blossoming in his new surroundings, but the switch to a 4-4-3 has had a detrimental effect on the goal scoring prowess of compatriot Demba Ba, who has not scored since the clash with Aston Villa and has had to adapt to operating in his new role on the left of the attacking three.

Ba's lack of goals are a worry, but the new formation, the resurgence of Ben Arfa and the astounding form of Cisse have taken Newcastle within touching distance of the Champions League places, two points ahead of Chelsea and level on points with 4th placed Tottenham.

The Magpies will now be able to recuperate from the rigours of their recent surge, safe in the knowledge that 6th place will guarantee them Europa League football if Liverpool defeat Everton in the other Wembley Semi-Final on Saturday.

Newcastle's winning streak has allowed to set their sights higher and aim for a place among the European elite, but knowing that European football will be secured with a top six finish would surely take some of the pressure off as Pardew's men head into the final five games of a marathon campaign.

The Geordies face a home clash with Stoke City and a trip to the DW Stadium to face strugglers Wigan Athletic in the coming weeks, and while Newcastle can ill afford to look upon these fixtures as easy, they will certainly be looking to take maximum points from both contests to put them in the best position possible ahead of key games with Chelsea and Manchester City.

Chelsea's commitments in the FA Cup and in the Champions League Semi Finals against Barcelona could well prove to be to Newcastle's benefit as Roberto Di Matteo's Blues cope with the trials of competing on three fronts.

Still if Pardew's troops wish to earn a place in Europe's top club competition, then they must maintain the consistency they have displayed in recent weeks. This could be difficult given the fixtures that the Magpies face, but if there is one thing that Newcastle have shown throughout the season, it is spirit and resiliency. If they are able to harness that into five more positive results, then the Geordies could well gatecrash the biggest party in European club football.

Brilliant Ben Arfa ignites Newcastle's top four surge

Flying: Hatem Ben Arfa celebrates his wonderful opener

It is often said that a team needs a little bit of extra quality to win games when they aren't playing well. Newcastle United certainly possess this, in the form of the magnificent Hatem Ben Arfa.

For just over 70 minutes Newcastle did not play well against a plucky and organised Bolton Wanderers side, who came to St James' Park sniffing an upset as the Magpies delivered a display lacking in both energy and creativity.

However, 73 minutes into the contest Alan Pardew's side found their spark, as the in-form Frenchman delivered a truly magical goal in what was one of the great moments of the campaign.  

Papiss Cisse then wrapped up the three points as he tapped in Shola Ameobi's well placed cross, but it was Ben Arfa's contender for goal of the season that will grab the headlines.

The victory takes Newcastle up to 5th in the Premier League table, level on points with 4th placed Tottenham Hotspur - who fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Norwich City - and two points clear of 6th placed Chelsea after their 1-1 draw at Fulham.

Newcastle made just one change from the side that won 2-0 at Swansea on Good Friday, Captain Fabricio Coloccini returning from a hamstring injury, forcing James Perch to move into the midfield because of an injury to Cheick Tiote. 

Perhaps tired from their travails in South Wales, the home side produced a laborious first half performance. Wanderers' Hungarian keeper Adam Bogdan was rarely tested, although he did almost gift Newcastle the lead when he punched Ben Arfa's inswinging free-kick in the direction of his own goal, only to see the ball flash wide of the post.

Shane Ferguson replaced James Perch at half time with Jonas Gutierrez taking up a more central position as Pardew searched for a way to break down a typically rugged Bolton outfit.

The change made little difference and in fact it was the visitors who appeared the more likely to net the opener, Mark Davies and Chris Eagles both brought fine close range saves from Krul before Petrov flashed an inviting ball across the face of goal but Darren Pratley failed to find the final touch. 

Ben Arfa slots past Bogdan to cap a superb solo run

Newcastle survived the spell of pressure and that set the stage for Ben Arfa to steal the plaudits with a spectacular solo goal. Collecting the ball midway inside his own half from Yohan Cabaye, the Clairefontaine academy graduate turned past Sam Ricketts and proceeded to power into the Bolton half, riding the challenge of Mark Davies before skipping past the visitors back line and into the box to slide a cool finish past Bogdan into the bottom corner.

St James' Park erupted in relief and utter amazement at what they had just witnessed. Ben Arfa had pulled off a similar feat - and scored arguably a better goal - earlier in the season in the FA Cup against Blackburn Rovers but this one, on a grander stage with European permutations riding on the game, was unquestionably more important.

From then on there was no way back for Owen Coyle's men, and the Magpies made sure of the points ten minutes later when substitute Shola Ameobi broke free down the right before bending a superb ball into the area for the free scoring Cisse to tap home and make it ten goals in nine games for the Senegalese international. 

There was perhaps a suspicion of offside about Newcastle's second but Pardew and his troops will care not. Ben Arfa's goal was worthy of winning any game and the Geordies are now in the thick of the race for the final two Champions League places. 

Injuries have mounted in recent weeks and Newcastle will be thankful for the extra rest that Chelsea's involvement in next weekend's FA Cup Semi Finals has allowed them. Pardew's side have momentum and although both management and playing staff will play down their Champions League chances, few would begrudge them a place at European football's top table after a wonderful winning run. 

Cisse hits another double as Newcastle continue winning run

Papiss Cisse has now scored nine goals in eight games

Newcastle maintained their Champions League charge with a gritty 2-0 win over Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.

Two goals from in-form striker Papiss Cisse proved to be enough to hand Newcastle the three points, a result which takes them within two points of fourth place.

Manager Alan Pardew was forced into another reshuffle after Danny Guthrie was ruled out through injury. Jonas Gutierrez was pushed into the midfield three, while Davide Santon came in to fill the hole at left back. The changes failed to hamper Newcastle's progress, as they put in a sterling defensive performance on the way to their fourth successive win.

Swansea enjoyed much of the early going and spurned an early chance when Gylfi Sigurdsson sprayed a strike wide of the post. Newcastle quickly demonstrated their quality as midfielder Yohan Cabaye played a defence splitting pass into the path of Cisse, who fired an expertly placed finish into the bottom corner and past the despairing dive of Swans' keeper Michel Vorm.

The home side continued to dominate both possession and territory but lacked the penetration to cause the Newcastle defence, still missing Captain Fabricio Coloccini, any real problems.

Sigurdsson looked lively throughout and he kept Magpies' stopper Tim Krul on his toes, producing a fierce long range drive that forced the Dutchman into an impressive diving save.

Brendan Rodgers' men started the second half in the same vein that they had finished the first, but still the Swans were unable to find any way through the stern Newcastle backline. Even injury to Cheick Tiote, who was replaced by Ryan Taylor at Half Time after straining his hamstring, did not hinder Newcastle's cause as Pardew's men managed to retain their shape and stymie a Swansea attack that struggled to find any real cutting edge.

Newcastle were almost architects of their own downfall as Taylor's poor clearance enabled Joe Allen to power a drive towards goal that was parried wide by Krul.

The visitors defensive solidity allowed them to be effective on the counter, and it was another superbly weighted from Cabaye that set Cisse on the way for his second. The Senegalese international drifted away from the attentions of defender Ashley Williams before collecting the Frenchman's pass and lobbing a deft finish over the head of Vorm and into the top corner of the net for his ninth goal in eight games.

From then on there was no way back for Swansea, Rodgers threw caution to the wind by bringing on Danny Graham and Scott Sinclair, but a drive into the side netting from Sinclair and a tame free-kick from Sigurdsson was the best they could muster as Newcastle were able to hold on for the win with relative ease.

Credit must go to Newcastle's reshuffled back four, who contained a dangerous team with little difficulty throughout the entire 90 minutes. Cabaye's contribution should not go unnoticed, and Pardew will hope that both he and Tiote - along with Captain Coloccini - will be fit for Monday's clash with struggling Bolton Wanderers. However, the plaudits will rightly go to Cisse, whose phenomenal scoring run continues to keep the Magpies' Champions League dream alive.

Cisse gives Toon old boys a day to forget

 Cisse and Newcastle celebrate the striker's opening goal

Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique - two stars of Newcastle's successful return to the Premier League - may have gone to St James' Park yesterday looking to prove a point. Instead they found themselves upstaged by a fluid and clinical Newcastle side that outplayed Liverpool and eased to what proved to be a comfortable victory for Alan Pardew's soaring Magpies.

Early on it appeared as if it was going to be Liverpool's day, Carroll was energetic and confident in his forays forward, and Kenny Dalglish's side played with vibrancy and none of the apprehension perhaps expected of a team that had lost five of it's last six encounters.

Liverpool's early dominance didn't last long, Carroll's day began to take a turn for the worse when he was cautioned for diving after successfully evading the challenges of Mike Williamson and James Perch before rounding Tim Krul and inexplicably falling to the floor with the goal gaping.

The former Newcastle number nine - who infamously left to join the Anfield club on the final day of the January transfer window for a British record £35m fee - then had a claim for a penalty turned down when his header ricocheted off the arm of Danny Simpson at the far post.

That was pretty much to be all she wrote for Carroll, as Newcastle, and their current number nine Papiss Cisse took over. Newcastle had offered little as an attacking threat in the opening 15 minutes, but the Geordies soon had the lead on 19 minutes when Hatem Ben Arfa, afforded too much space by the Liverpool midfield, checked onto his left foot to deliver a deep inswinging cross that was met perfectly by Cisse.

The Senegalese international demonstrated intelligent movement to drift away from the attentions of Martin Skrtel, before arrowing a diving header across goal and in off the post past a stricken Pepe Reina.

Liverpool nearly responded in kind and could have levelled when Carroll leapt highest to meet a deflected Craig Bellamy cross, but he could only direct his header over the bar.

Cisse's goal was his sixth in seven games and he should have added to his tally soon after when he nodded Danny Guthrie's well placed cross wide of the post.

Newcastle continued in the ascendancy after the break and came close to doubling their advantage when Mike Williamson's header crashed against the post.

Jubilation: Newcastle celebrate Cisse's second goal

The Magpies did add to their lead 15 minutes into the second half as Cisse netted his seventh of the campaign. Ben Arfa was once again involved, the enigmatic midfielder surging forward before laying the ball off to Demba Ba, who combined with Yohan Cabaye before the ball eventually fell to Cisse who rounded Reina before composing himself and slotting into an empty net.

There was a suspicion of offside about Newcastle's second, but the goal was no more than they deserved for a controlled and impressive display.

Indeed, Pardew's charges were near faultless in every department. The back four - anchored by James Perch and Mike Williamson in the absence of Captain Fabricio Coloccini - performed superbly. Cheick Tiote's return to the side after two games out with a hamstring injury proved vital, as the Ivorian succeed in negating the influence of Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard.

By contrast Liverpool continued to unravel with each passing minute, Carroll was substituted - much to the joy of the home support - and subsequently headed straight down the tunnel in frustration at what had been a nightmare return for the striker.

The Merseysiders miserable afternoon was completed soon after Carroll's departure as Reina was dismissed for headbutting Perch after the defender had tripped the Spaniard following a save from another towering Williamson header. Perch's reaction to Reina's indiscipline was theatrical and unneccessary. The former Nottingham Forest man fell to floor, despite replays showing that the keeper had at most made minimal contact with Perch's face.

While Perch's antics were at best disappointing, Reina's red card was certainly deserved, and with Liverpool out of substitutions, it forced Enrique to take his compatriot's place in goal, again much to the delight of the raucous Newcastle faithful.

The game had long been over as a contest by that point, Liverpool's attack appeared limp and lacking in ideas in the second half, and only Luis Suarez showed any signs of netting for the Reds, the Uruguayan's close range effort cleared off the line by the excellent Perch after an initial defensive mix-up between him and Krul.

2-0 is never an entirely comfortable scoreline, but the result had never looked in doubt once Cisse had grabbed his second. The full time whistle was greeted jubilantly by the St James' Park crowd and rightly so, Newcastle are in rich vein of form and have now won three in a row. Sunday's result leaves the Magpies level on points with 5th place and Chelsea and 11 clear of Liverpool, who have now dropped to 8th following the defeat.

Newcastle now have a solid grip on 6th place and a European berth appears likely. A place in the Champions League can not be ruled out, although it will be difficult to overhaul the five point gap to Tottenham and Arsenal.

The Magpies face a tough Easter period with a trip to surprise package Swansea City and a home game against in-form Bolton Wanderers. Newcastle have put themselves in pole position to secure European football, but Pardew will be keen for his side to maintain their focus as they look to wrap up the top six finish that their displays this season have undoubtedly merited.