Arsenal had finished the game at the 26th minute mark when Robin van Persie scored his second and Gunner’s fourth goal. But then Abou Diaby was sent off. Looking at the score-sheet, that red card flipped the game on its head and we bared witness to an epic comeback at the St. James’ Park. A positive proof that Newcastle can hold their own without Andy Carroll. They have Joey Barton!
Theo Walcott opened the scoring after managing to outrun the Newcastle United defense and putting the ball just past the keeper in very first minute. Hardly two minutes later, Johan Djourou directed his header to the back of the net off the crossbar.
Everything was going Arsenal’s way as it turned out in the tenth minute when Robin van Persie scored from just outside the six yard box. Persie was not done yet as he headed home a Bacary Sagna cross. Everything was going great for the Gunners but then in the opening five minutes of the second half, Joey Barton made a tackle of Abou Diaby which infuriated him in to shoving Barton in the back of the head (rightly so because it’s Barton!) and then pushing Kevin Nolan in the back.
Joey Barton did get his revenge from Arsenal, when he scored a penalty kick in the 68th minute. Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny was then booked for time wasting after being attempted to be grabbed around the neck and being pushed to the ground by Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton – not as badly as it sounds though. Nolan received a booking as well.
In the 75th minute, Irishman Leon Best got the best of Jose Enrique’s cross and made it 4-2. Then there was some hint that the referee might have had something to do with the drastically changing scoreline – maybe Sir Alex made a phone call at halftime or something. Mike Williamson went to ground after trying to go for a header between two Arsenal players and a penalty kick was awarded. The foul was thought to be a non-existent push by Tomas Rosicky. Barton put away the penalty again.
And then came the wonder-goal from the 24 year old Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote from a good 25 yards out. You will just have to look at the replay to find out more. I will just say that when I play Football Manager, I want my midfielders to do that.
Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal
Walcott, 1′
Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal
Djourou, 3′
Newcastle 0-3 Arsenal
Persie, 10′
Newcastle 0-4 Arsenal
Persie, 26′
Abou Diaby Red Card Incident
Newcastle 1-4 Arsenal
Barton (pen.), 68′
Newcastle 2-4 Arsenal
Best, 75′
Newcastle 3-4 Arsenal
Barton (pen.), 83′
Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal
Tiote, 88′
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