City
v Newcastle United 1-1
Feb 2nd att. 45,752
The
January Sales window ended in an anticlimax with no time for a replacement for
Anelka who eventually penned his signature for Turkish club Fenerbache. Life without
Anelka now starts but then did it ever exist with him. Yes he did score his fair
share of goals for City - 45 in 101 games which is a pretty good percentage but
he never seemed to fit in somehow. He was tried with several partners upfront
but nothing seemed to work. There was not a word about him in the programme today.
Nothing about his ever smiling face which lit up both dressing room and stadium.
Nothing about his gushing personality and eagerness to carry out extra PR work
on behalf of the club. Nothing about his eagerness to shrug off minor injuries
and devotion to training. Ah well we have saved a bit of cash for the summer and
with the pending departure of Kevin Keegan next season the new manager/coach will
have some pocket money to play with. Interesting caller on GMR last night mentioned
that a foreign coach had already been lined up! I wonder who that could be?
City
made a few changes. Thatcher came in for Jordan at left back and making his debut
on the left side of midfield was Kiki Musampa , a loan signing from Athletico
Madrid. I gave details of the new player here
After
just 9 minutes Newcastle took the lead. A long cross field ball from Titus Bramble
caught Thatcher out of position. It reached Shearer who brought it down with his
chest took a couple of strides and crashed it past James who had little chance.
Generally
speaking SWP was well marked by Titus Bramble so his effectiveness today was limited.
It
was Shearer's 250th goal in his career and at 34 he is still a formidable opponent.
5
minutes later and Shola Ameobi had a chance but shot well over the bar
Apart
from the odd free-kick City gave Given little to do in the first half
New
signing Kiki Musampa showed lots of skill and looked very comfortable on the ball
with many nice touches.
A
Macken flick goes harmlessly wide.
Barton
seems to be the player taking free-kicks at the moment. Pity they are not very
good! Ah for the days of Tarnat.
One
of the few saves Given had to make.
Given
gave the visiting supporters a shock when he miss-kicked a back pass. He had to
recover quickly with Fowler hovering nearby
Just
before half-time Fowler had a good chance from a Distin pass but headed well over
the bar
It
looks as though Dunne is nicking Ameobi's ear ring whilst Mills is just keeping
his head down! Mills' passing often left a lot to be desired especially in the
first half.
After
a dull first half with little action the second could only get better. It did
after 4 minutes after the restart a move involving Barton and Macken saw Shaun
Wright-Phillips break into the box where he was floored by Titus Bramble. He was
lucky to escape a card as he looked like the last defender. Some refs would have
given him a red.
The
resultant penalty was scored by Robbie Fowler who sent Shay Given the wrong way.
Six
minutes later and Distin and Bowyer nearly came to blows and both were booked
for their trouble though the Newcastle player looked the guilty party.
As
the second half progressed the game became stretched but neither keeper had any
big saves to make
It
was a game neither side deserved to win and there were two frustrated managers
on the touchline wondering how such talented players could give the keepers nothing
to do.
Referee
Andy D'Urso has to sort out minor arguments with Nicky Butt a sub for Dyer being
the focus of attention. Ex United player Butt got a warm welcome from he home
crowd!
Team
James
6: Mills 5, Dunne 7, Distin 7, Thatcher 6: Wright-Phillips 7, Bosvelt 7, Barton
6, Musampa 7: Macken 6, Fowler 7
Not
the best of games and instantly forgettable. A draw was a fair result and there
were very few highlights. Bosvelt who got booked as well as Distin will now miss
the 'derby' game. Pity. We will miss him in midfield.
