Emre saves the day for United
St James' Park is not really designed to win tactical battles and grind out results, it's a theatre constructed to entertain, inspire and excite.
But winning a tactical battle and grind out a result (no doubt thanks to ProZone) looked like the only way of getting past Everton and David Moyes until Big Sam introduced Emre to save the day for Newcastle United.
True, England fans everywhere will be relieved that Michael Owen also entered the fray to nod home what turned out to be the winner.
Yet surely Toon fans will be relieved that at last, a bit of flair and skill won it for their side, thanks to Emre.
By the time Owen had scored England boss Steve McClaren had gone but a few rows up a watching Peter Beardsley would have been proud of the goal that came before it when Emre let rip at Gallowgate.
A touch of class but just to make sure of the points a cute free-kick that fell perfectly for Owen to finish things off and clinch it at 3-1.
Just to keep it exciting and keep the fans on the edge of their seats, we allowed Everton back into to it in stoppage time.
However, on a day that Newcastle left it late in a game that Big Sam was about to pull off a Glenn Roeder type result, the spark provided by Emre almost looked out of place in what had been a pretty drab affair.
Nevertheless the entertainment and the three points were most welcome even if Emre got us out of jail to relieve us of the two weeks of misery that lay ahead during international break.
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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Yiur headline says it all. I thought we played well for about 70% of the first half, but in the second there were too many long balls hoofed in the air and when Everton scored, we lost our shape. Thank God for Emre; not only was he on form, but his link play with Owen was more impressive than any of the other central midfielders' play had been with any of the forwards on the pitch. Sadly, with Barton fit (and supposing he's not a guest of Her Majesty), it's hard to see where he'll fit.
Yiur headline says it all. I thought we played well for about 70% of the first half, but in the second there were too many long balls hoofed in the air and when Everton scored, we lost our shape. Thank God for Emre; not only was he on form, but his link play with Owen was more impressive than any of the other central midfielders' play had been with any of the forwards on the pitch. Sadly, with Barton fit (and supposing he's not a guest of Her Majesty), it's hard to see where he'll fit.
Oh why am I about to nit-pick when we've won at home?
Why must Sam persist in messing around with Milner and Zoggy, who were doing fine until he switched them round.
Still Emre shows us that a bit of guile in the centre can prove dividends.
Oh No, selection headache warning!!
Emre, Barton, Geremi, Butt, Milner, N'Zogbia, Duff, Problems Problems.
Good in parts, but the defence needs to start being tighter and we will be fine.
Man Of The Match: Nicky Butt.
P.S: I'm pleased (No, Ecstatic) That I got my scoreline prediction wrong, but I got my prediction correct with regards Alan Smith, another booking and now he's suspended.
Can't say Im bothered, I just hope that we go out and batter Tottenham without him, then we might just drop him.
Paul.
well, well
didnt alan smudger smith do well in his first game up front since sampdoria (when he scored)
ok, ok he got booked and hes banned but he didnt half link up well at times and played a big part in buttys goal
'Didn't smudger do well' Well well Ray, you can't have been watching the same game as me! Thank God Smith picked up the booking I was praying for. Finally we can see how good we can be without him cluttering up (or should that be clattering up?) the field. I can only assume being the owner's pet helps. As far as Mr Allardyce's credibility goes, we have to hope Smith is selected and is second in command of the first team as a result of an order from up high and not his own judgement! Smith captain of our glorious black and white? Please. I challenge anyone to name a previous captain more laughable!
Siomi:- Challenge accepted, Keiron Dyer was captain for brief spells under Roeder last season.
Paul.
Ha ha! Yes Paul. I forgot about Dyer. Shows how memorable that was! Poor lamb.