Pre Match news
Stuart Pearce makes two changes to his line up after last week’s defeat at Charlton. Darius Vassell is restored to the starting XI for the first time since the August win over Arsenal. Our other change sees the impressive Hatem Trabelsi given a start in place of DaMarcus Beasley.
Another point of note sees Antoine Sibierski return to CoMS in the black and stripes of Newcastle.
The Match
After a minute’s silence to mark Rememberance Day, Newcastle kick off with Sibierski in attack for the visitors, with both sets of supporters in good voice creating a lively atmosphere.
It was a lively start on the pitch too and Joey Barton was left to rue the game’s first chance after six minutes. Vassell’s great flick on gave Barton the chance to power past Craig Moore before sliding a shot wide from the right hand angle of the six-yard box.
Roeder’s men responded quickly and some good interplay, involving Sibierski, saw Parker curl a shot wide just a minute later.
In the 15th minute, Barton again came close for City, this time forcing Harper to turn the ball over the bar after a fine strike from distance.
City then had two more moments of pressure after 23 minutes. First Claudio Reyna wanted a penalty after his shot seemed to hit a Newcastle arm, then Distin’s low cross zipped through the Toon box and out to safety.
The game was simmering with City continuing to dominate. With seven minutes before the break another great low cross, this time from Thatcher, couldn’t find a City man in the middle.
Good play and pressure from City but they just can’t make that breakthrough yet.
HALF TIME: City 0-0 Newcastle
No changes at the break for either side. But two early bookings a-side. First, Taylor of Newcastle on 47 minutes quickly followed a minute later by Trevor Sinclair.
The crowd were up again on 51 minutes as Paul Dickov twisted himself into a position to curl a measured shot goalwards, only to be denied by a smart stop from Harper.
Newcastle made the first substitutions of the match on 55 minutes. Dyer and N’Zogbia on to give the visitors a bit more pace in attack.
City themselves made a double change on the hour mark. Samaras and Corradi replaced Reyna and the hard working Dickov.
The Blues asserted themselves onto the game again following the changes - and Corradi twice went close within five minutes of his introduction. His first nearly brought about a goal as his header from a free kick made Harper work.
His second chance came after good build up play but this time, after doing well to get to the cross, a powerful header could only be directed past the post and wide.
It was like a cup tie now with City desperate for the goal they deserved and they thought they had it in the 69th minute. Barton’s corner was won by Dunne and redirected into the net by Samaras - only for referee Poll to disallow it - citing Corradi’s pull on Stephen Carr.
Emre was booked a minute later as the CoMS now sounded more like a Turkish cauldron with the atmosphere inside after Poll’s latest contentious decision. The little midfielder could be forgiven for thinking it was the Ali Sami Yen.
Samaras headed wide after a right wing cross with nine minutes left as it looked like being one of those days again for City.
Newcastle wake up with just minutes left and start to press for an unlikely winner.
Firstly, Emre and Dyer combine to carve open the Blues with Richards to thank for a great interception. Then Dunne puts in some amazing last ditch blocks and clearances to ensure the draw and the sixth home clean sheet of the season.
FULL TIME: City 0-0 Newcastle
