Newcastle - Chelsea 1-0 - TalkSoccer

**kennethlindheim** · 07-05-2006, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Newcastle booked their place in the Intertoto Cup with victory over Premiership champions Chelsea.
Defender Titus Bramble scored the only goal of the game when his fierce volley flew past Blues goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley in the second half.

Chelsea had two goals disallowed, with William Gallas deemed to have handled the ball into the net before Shaun Wright-Phillips was ruled offside.

Newcastle's Stephen Carr was sent off after appearing to kick Lassana Diarra.

Magpies' caretaker boss Glenn Roeder, who many believe will be installed as the permanent successor to Graeme Souness this week, would have been pleased with his side's efforts in their final game of the season.

Newcastle were just six points above the relegation zone when they sacked Souness in February, but have since won 10 of their 16 Premiership and cup matches under the leadership of Roeder.

Their renewed confidence was clear to see at St James' Park on Sunday, often outplaying a reshuffled Chelsea pack, who appeared merely content to see out their final 90 minutes of another successful Premiership campaign.

Newcastle would have been pleased to see the return of Turkey midfielder Emre who was at the heart of all the home side's good movement.

He should have opened the scoring after three minutes of the match, but saw his 25-yard-shot swerve over the Chelsea crossbar.

The Blues defence was kept busy during an action-packed first-half, in particular stand-in keeper Pidgeley.

The Chelsea keeper was thrust into the starting line-up after Carlo Cudicini appeared to hurt his ankle during the warm-up.

Pidgeley had to stay alert to watch two long-range shots from Nolberto Solano go wide, before a backpass from his own player, Joe Cole, nearly caught him out.

Solano, who was also having a major influence on the game, was taken off late in the first-half after what appeared to be a calf injury.

Chelsea began to find their gears in the second half after being on the back foot for most of the opening 45 minutes.

Jose Mourinho made six changes to his side, leaving out Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Hernan Crespo, and it took a while for the makeshift side to gel, but the introduction of striker Carlton Cole and midfielder Wright-Phillips appeared to add some bite to the attack.

The Blues had the ball in the net on two occasions, but referee Mike Riley disallowed Gallas' and Wright-Phillips' efforts.

Chelsea were in the ascendancy, but it was Newcastle who took the lead through the unlikeliest of source.

Emre's corner was met by the head of Amady Faye. The Senegal international nodded the ball into the path of Bramble, who acrobatically volleyed the ball past Pidgeley.

More drama was to follow when Carr was shown a straight red after appearing to aim his boot at Diarra, who was lying on the ground at the time.

A tense final few minutes followed, but Newcastle held on for victory.

Newcastle: Given, Carr, Bramble, Moore, Babayaro, Solano (Boumsong 31), Faye, Emre, N'Zogbia, Chopra (Clark 77), Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Elliott, Pattison.

Sent Off: Carr (75).

Booked: N'Zogbia, Babayaro, Emre, Moore.

Goals: Bramble 73.

Chelsea: Pidgeley, Paulo Ferreira, Huth (Wright-Phillips 45), Ricardo Carvalho (Smith 81), Gallas, Johnson, Diarra, Maniche, Robben, Joe Cole, Duff (Carlton Cole 45).
Subs Not Used: Mancienne.

Booked: Ricardo Carvalho, Gallas.

Att: 52,309

Ref: M Riley (W Yorkshire).

I'm well happy with that result. If someone had told me that we would finish 7th the day we sacked Souness, I'd have told them to f**k off, but you have to give credit, where credit is due - Roeder has done a superb job in the last 3-4 months, and we now have a shot at qualifying for the UEFA Cup, next season - which is better than nothing, had we finished 8th.

A good end to the season. I am happy!!

**kyan** · 07-05-2006, 07:02 PM

lol, i made a bet with my mates at the start of the season that newcastle would finish in the top 8 of the premiership by the end

**kennethlindheim** · 07-05-2006, 07:06 PM

Congrats!

**kyan** · 07-05-2006, 07:07 PM

lol yeah i forgot to say congrats to newcastle too, considering owen's been injured for like the whole season and ur whole midfield has barely played together at all, not to mention souness too, its actually a pretty damn good achievement, u could probs sell owen and luque and bring in a proven striker in the summer neway now...

**Pennywise** · 07-05-2006, 07:16 PM

Newcastle haven't played one match this season with all the regual players together.

1-0 against Chelsea at St.James.Park is of course important and well done. Its good to beat the champions in the last match of the season.

Credit to Titus the Bramble for the winning goal and Glenn Røder for the last months results.

ToonMonster · 08-05-2006, 06:09 AM

what a comeback we have made from being in the bottom half of the table to 7th! bolton must be gutted. I hope roder stays next season, hes proved himself a good manager!

**kennethlindheim** · 08-05-2006, 09:47 AM

All thanks to Roeder. And the players that got us into 7th are Ameobi, Chorpra, Carr, Boumsong, Bramble, Babayaro, Clark, Moore and Faye. Impressing.

CantonaStillGod · 08-05-2006, 10:50 AM

I think Shearer might have made a contribution or 50 along the season too.

**kennethlindheim** · 08-05-2006, 01:16 PM

Yes, but I ment for the last four games.

**Sven** · 08-05-2006, 01:23 PM

i was shocked too see you in 7th place last night, great job by the care taker.

its just a shame you didnt get babyaro or boumsong sent off, for blatent reds. not your fault though crap referees.

hanuma · 08-05-2006, 05:24 PM

I predicted top 6 at the start of the season....but around Christmas that prediction looked absurd....just one spot off though.

Shows you blatantly have the talent....not the luck or the manager though. Don't think you can credit that much of this to Roeder personally.

**kennethlindheim** · 09-05-2006, 09:00 AM

After Roeder took over, we ended up on 3rd place on the table.

hanuma · 09-05-2006, 07:36 PM

Just my opinion, based on no real fact....I just think its a happy coincedince.

**kyan** · 09-05-2006, 07:41 PM

luck definitely played a part considering they had way fewer injury problems under roeder but he still did well to pick them up and drop boumsong a couple of times, something souness didnt have the balls to do...

**russe||** · 10-05-2006, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennethlindheim

After Roeder took over, we ended up on 3rd place on the table.

What you mean if you only counted games once Roeder took over only two clubs have scored more points than you?