Newcastle United (0) 0 - 1 (1) Arsenal
St James' Park, Wednesday 29th December 2004
FA Premiership
Arsenal:
Almunia
Lauren Campbell Toure Cole
Ljungberg Vieira Flamini Pires
Henry van Persie (Clichy)
A crucial but lucky win in a very tricky game. Cole was
back in for Clichy after his one match ban, and Cesc got a
not-unexpected rest for Flamini. Van Persie
started for Bergkamp because of the latter's thigh strain.
The Dutchman burst past Aaron Hughes after a few minutes
to get onto a ball from Cole, but hit the shot into
Given's face. Not for the first time, van Persie seemed
to lose the pace of the game as it went on, so let's hope
that doesn't become too familiar a pattern.
Newcastle were missing a good few players, and had to play
with Ameobi as their main striker. He also started well,
hustling Campbell off the ballin the 9th minute and then
slashing his shot wide. He didn't have many chances after
that, but did make a telling contribution at the other end
when he headed a Campbell header off the line.
The home side could have been awarded a penalty when Cole clearly
handled a Jenas cross intended for Bellamy, but ref Steve Bennett
waved play on.
With 1 minutes of injury time at the end of the first half having
already started, Newcastle had a throw in on their left. Arsenal
harried them for the ball and after Vieira got a touch the ball fell for
him off of Taylor. As it popped up the skipper decided to have a
pop from 25 yards. It deflected off of Jenas's boot just in front
of Vieira and looped up and over Given, dropping perfectly
just under the bar.
Newcastle came out fighting in the second half, but Bowyer
wasted a great opportunity from 15 yards after great play by Bellamy.
Arsenal started to let Newcastle come at them and hope for a
quick break. But it only gave the home side confidence and
the away supporters the jitters. Dyer was playing so well that
the home fans were even moved to applaud him. But in the end,
thanks to some good defending and goalkeeping, and some key fouls,
Arsenal managed to hang on for a less than totally deserved
3 points.
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