Toon claim Old Lady scalp

[Mighty T.A.L.]

A bumper St James' Park crowd was sent home happy as Newcastle claimed the scalp of Juventus with an impressive 2-0 victory.

Sam Allardyce's ranks were somewhat depleted by injury, but the new Magpies chief will be delighted with what he saw from his charges on Sunday.

Bright in attack and resolute at the back, Newcastle were on the front foot for much of the first period and although their opening goal was somewhat fortuitous, it was also well deserved.

James Milner's burst into Juventus' box was typically direct, but the touch he received from Jonathan Zebina appeared to be minimal, and from the penalty spot a rejuvenated Albert Luque made no mistake.

The Spaniard's time in the North East, though, appears to be cursed as on the half-hour mark he was replaced injured.

On came the much-lauded 18-year-old striker Andrew Carroll and before the break he showed just why he is so highly thought of, courtesy of an arched finish, on the rebound, past Gianluigi Buffon, after the big Italian had repelled Obafemi Martins' snap-shot.

Carroll was fortunate not to be injured when Buffon unnecessarily steamed into him as the first half drew to its close, but not before Pavel Nedved brought a sharp stop from Shay Given and David Trezeguet hammered just over.

Peter Ramage went close with a far-post header that Buffon saved smartly, while Kieron Dyer - the subject of intense transfer conjecture - should have scored in the second half after coming off the bench.

The second 45 minutes were somewhat more fragmented, due to both sides making a plethora of changes but overall, Allardyce will be more than pleased with what his players showed, against a side tipped to prosper next season in Serie A.

Source: Skysports

[azzurri]

Flattering scoreline. The pk was bullshit, but its only a friendly.

All things considered, Juve played well, creating alot of chances and getting many shots (Given with some nice saves). Newcastle played the counter-attack and exposed our newly formed defense, as was evident on the 2nd goal. However, Juve moved the ball more fluently, and minus some pre-season heavy touches, Nedved, Trezeguet and Iaquinta all would have scored.

[Pennywise]

Did Juve play all their regulars in this match?

Impressive to win against Juventus with players like Ramage, Huntington, Carroll, Pattison, Lough, Troisi, Barnett, Edgar etc...and with many injured players out like Barton, Owen, Viduka, Taylor, Duff to mention someone.

[Pennywise]

Ugly smash-up

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Real dangerous tackle from Buffon.

[Pennywise]

Like the one with Heinz Müller and Geir Ludvig Fevang.

[azzurri]

He blew his shoulder in the 05/06 pre-season. He is protecting himself. Tough luck.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

The Müller episode was more dramatic and ugly.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Ref admits he should've acted on Buffon

Referee Mark Clattenburg has apologised for not punishing Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon for Sunday's horror challenge on Newcastle striker Andy Carroll, 18, says The Mirror.

Toon boss Sam Allardyce labelled the incident "common assault" and compared it to Germany keeper Harald Schumacher's infamous 1982 World Cup clash with Patrick Battiston of France.

Clattenburg did not punish Buffon or blow for a foul, but Carroll said: "The ref said at half-time he made the wrong decision."

[lionel]

its always hard to punish a goalkeeper for a foul like that in the box. most referees ignore it, and its rare to see a referee giving a penalty kick becasuse the goalkeeper punched the player when trying to reach the high ball.

the muller thing was more serious, and the story after the tackle makes it a bigger issue.

[kennethlindheim]

Hope this is a good omen for the season, proper passing and movement.... unlike last season.