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Premier League:
Unstuck by Toffees
and Theo again

Everton  1  Newcastle  0

Goodison graveyard

Newcastle's winning run came to an end in familiar fashion at Goodison Park and once again Theo Walcott found the back of our net as he grabbed the only goal of a poor game on Monday night.

Everton completed a league double over United as Rafa Benitez was unable to celebrate his 100th game in charge of the club although there were chances near the end to pinch a point, substitute Dwight Gayle going close.

But it was a disappointing display from the black and whites, Islam Slimani's first start failing to provide him with his maiden strike, although a simple Ayoze Perez pass could have done just that in the 38th minute.

Kenedy had blocked a Jordan Pickford clearance but Perez's ball to a free Slimani was inaccurate and the best chance of the half went begging.

Cenk Tosun and Phil Jagielka had close range efforts off target in a first 45 minutes of few clear chances.

Walcott's winner came six minutes after the break when Yannick Bolasie's high cross to the far post wasn't dealt with twice by DeAndre Yedlin and Walcott was able to waltz inside before despatching a drive into the roof of the net.

That followed a Perez chance when he was put through on the left side of the box only to take an extra touch and snatch at his shot that was off target.

Gayle replaced Slimani just after the hour and within a minute the substitute volleyed narrowly over when Jamaal Lascelles headed a Jonjo Shelvey corner into the six yard box.

Perez flicked a header on target from Kenedy's cross and then Matt Ritchie put a free-kick just over the bar after Gayle had been brought down near the edge of the penalty area.

Michael Keane was lucky just to receive a yellow for the foul and then should have had another booking for tripping Gayle down the right wing. That was shortly after referee Bobby Madley had failed to award a spot-kick for a Jagielka handball.

But in the sixth minute of added time Gayle was inches away from meeting a cross from the right but Seamus Coleman made a vital headed clearance to seal the win for his side.

The defeat left United in tenth position and still not quite mathematically safe but a top half finish still looks a distinct possibility.

Full match report to follow.

Team: Dubravka, Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett, Ritchie (Murphy 79), Diame, Shelvey (Merino 83), Kenedy, Perez, Slimani (Gayle 63).
Subs n/u: Darlow, Manquillo, Clark, Hayden.

Booked: Kenedy.

EFC: Pickford, Coleman, Jagielka, Keane, Baines, Schneiderlin (Davies 52), Gueye, Rooney, Walcott, Tosun (Niasse 85), Bolasie (Calvert-Lewin 59).
Subs n/u: Robles, Martina, Baningime, Mori.
 
Booked: Keane, Gueye.

Goals: Walcott 51.

Crowd: 39,061, including a not sold-out away allocation of 3,000 who gave former mackem 'keeper Pickford and ex-mackem boss Sam Allardyce constant barracking. The custodian responded with an added time "shush".

After the game Rafa said:

"We didn't take our chances and that is the difference when you have Walcott or Rooney or players on these wages that can make a difference.

"We did really well to be here to play against this team. To expect that we have to beat them easily is impossible.

"They have very good players and they can make the difference. We battled and we fought until the end so we had the chance to draw, but we lost against a good team and that's it.

"The difference is they have players with experience in the Premier League. I don't know how much they have spent this year, but it is very simple.

"To come here and expect we have to better than them because we were doing well is not easy. Normally if you go away against these kind of players and these kind of teams, it is not easy to get anything.

"We are really strong. To stay in the Premier League was the target and we are really pleased with that.

"We will try to do better if we can but today, we knew it would be a difficult game against a very good team, but still we had our chances and now we have to be ready for the next one."

Referee: Bobby Madley - first Toon game this season for the West Yorkshire-based official. Our last meeting with him was the 2-1 Championship victory away at Brighton back in February 2017.

Stats:

This was the 100th competitive fixture that Rafa Benitez has taken charge of since his arrival in March 2016. He's won 48.

With two games still to play away from Gallowgate, Newcastle's current tally of 16 points on the road is already superior to that gained in eight of their 19 Premier League seasons comprising of 38 games. 

We have now failed to register a goal against Everton in five meetings at home and away and our last five strikes against at Goodison all came during the second half - Hatem Ben Arfa's rocket shot back in September 2010 was our last first half goal there and also our most recent away victory against them.

We think this was Walcott's seventh strike against us in Arsenal & Everton colours (but none for Southampton).

Toon at Goodison - Premier League era:

2017/18 Lost 0-1
2015/16 Lost 0-3
2014/15 Lost 0-3
2013/14 Lost 2-3 Cabaye, Remy
2012/13 Drew 2-2 Ba 2
2011/12 Lost 1-3 og(Hibbert)
2010/11 Won 1-0 Ben Arfa
2008/09 Drew 2-2 Taylor, Duff
2007/08 Lost 1-3 Owen (pen)
2006/07 Lost 0-3
2005/06 Lost 0-1
2004/05 Lost 0-2
2003/04 Drew 2-2 Shearer 2 pens
2002/03 Lost 1-2 Robert
2001/02 Won 3-1 Bellamy, Solano, Acuna
2000/01 Drew 1-1 og(Unsworth)
1999/00 Won 2-0 Hughes, Dyer
1998/99 Lost 0-1
1997/98 Drew 0-0
1997/98 Won 1-0 Rush (FAC)
1996/97 Lost 0-2
1995/96 Won 3-1 Ferdinand, Lee, Kitson
1994/95 Lost 0-1 (FAC)
1994/95 Lost 0-2
1993/94 Won 2-0 Cole, Beardsley

Latest Premier League results:

Tue 17.04.2018:
Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Spurs

Wed 18.04.2018:
Bournemouth 0-2 Manchester United

Thu 19.04.2018:
Burnley 1-2 Chelsea
Leicester City 0-0 Southampton

Sat 21.04.2018:
West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Liverpool
Watford 0-0 Crystal Palace

Sun 22.04.2018:
Arsenal 4-1 West Ham
Stoke City 1-1 Burnley
Manchester City 5-0 Swansea City

Mon 23.04.2018:
Everton 1-0 Newcastle

Loan concludes:
Arrivederci Aarons?

A 1-3 defeat at Genoa on Monday made relegation from Serie A increasingly likely for Hellas Verona, with loan signing Rolando Aarons nowhere to be seen and seemingly unlikely to return to Italy.

The Hellas website confirmed that the winger was back in England "for personal reasons", which translates as  appearing at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday to answer a charge of violent disorder.

Aarons was one of six men charged with that offence following an alleged brawl in Livellos back in 2016.  

The trial is predicted to last for three weeks - by which time Verona may well have had relegation confirmed.

The 22 year-old moved to Verona on loan in January but struggled to make any impact and to date has played just eight times without finding the net. 

U23s:
Second string denied
by late leveller

Newcastle U23s  1  Fulham U23s  1

Newcastle's final Premier League 2 Division Two game of the season saw them draw 1-1 at the Academy ground in Little Benton, with Fulham getting an added time equaliser. 

Thomas Allan was a late replacement for Luke Charman in the starting line-up and it was Allan that almost gave United the lead in the ninth minute when Callum Roberts' ball from the left flashed across the six yard box just evading Allan at the far post.

In the 23rd minute a Roberts free-kick hit the wall and Macaulay Gillesphey headed it back in for Stefan O'Connor to loop a header just wide.

Ten minutes later Fulham had the ball in the net but Elijam Adebayo's effort was ruled out as Cameron Thompson had run the ball out before crossing.

A minute before the break there was danger in the United six yard area with Gillesphey having to hack the ball away with Sonny Hilton lurking but it remained goalless with both sides affected by the blustery conditions.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 77th minute when a Fulham error let in Dan Barlaser and Adam Wilson through on goal. Both had efforts blocked but substitute Dan Ward followed up to hammer home.

But the visitors equalised in the second minute of added time when Adetayo Edln fired a low shot from the edge of the box through a crowd of players.

Team: Harker, Bailey, Gillesphey, O'Connor, Yarney, Good, Roberts (El-Mhanni 81), Hunter (Ward 63), Allan, Barlaser, Wilson.
Subs n/u: Sangare, Huuhtanen.

Booked: O'Connor.

FFC: Norman, Sessegnon, Mundle-Smith (De-Hanilland 46[tbc]), Edln, Davies, Atkinson, Hilton, Harris, Adebayo, Thompson, Thorsteinsson.
Subs n/u: Schwarzer, Davis, Santos-Clase.

The reserves will sign off the season by bidding to regain ownership of the Northumberland Senior Cup Final trophy they last held in 2014.

Their opponents at SJP on Wednesday May 2nd will be a Morpeth Town side assured of promotion from the Northern League and in contention for the title.

The tie will kick off at 7.30pm and admission is £7 adults and £3 concessions, payable at East Stand turnstiles. Season tickets and memberships won't be valid - it's an "all pay" game.
 

When the gloat comes in:
Enjoy Burton.....

...we did!

Our red and white chums will be playing third tier football next season for the second time in their history, after a trademark implosion on Saturday.

1-0 up against fellow relegation strugglers Burton Albion at the renamed Bungalow of Light, former mackem Darren Bent equalised in the 86th minute.

Had that been the final score then both sides would have had a stay of execution, but the Brewers hadn't finished and Liam Boyce conjured up a 92nd minute winner for wearside-born Nigel Clough's side.

And in yet another twist, their second successive demotion was only confirmed after referee Darren England initially allowed a 96th minute equaliser - before changing his mind and ruling it out for handball.

Burton still have to host Bolton Wanderers, meaning that one of them must reach 41 points and so the defeat condemns the unwashed to League One, where trips to Doncaster, Fleetwood and Accrington await.

It's less than 24 months since Fat Sam did his best silverback impression on the pitch at the SoS after beating Everton to relegate us. Who would have believed that we would be two tiers above them so soon?! What goes around, indeed...!

Netflix anticipate record subscriptions in NE postcodes for their documentary about the mackems, while our only regret is that they've gone too early, thus depriving Aleksandar Mitrovic of the chance to put them down live on Sky Sports this Friday night.  

A suitably named ale 
- brewed in Burton....

Borrowers:
More Matz misery

Matz Sels (Anderlecht)

Spot the difference:

Wednesday: Sels was in goal as his side lost 1-2 away to Standard Liege in the Belgian League playoffs - his failure to clear a low cross with his feet allowing the hosts to open the scoring.

Fail I online here

Saturday: Sels was in goal as his side lost 1-2 away to Genk in the Belgian League playoffs - his failure to clear a low cross with his feet allowing the hosts to open the scoring.

Fail II online here

Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham)
The Cottagers continued their quest for automatic promotion from the Championship by winning 3-0 at Millwall on Friday. A certain Serb wrapped up the victory with a fine late strike at the New Den.

Jack Colback (Nottingham Forest)
Cardiff City remain in pole position to finish as Championship runner-ups, following their 2-1 home success against Forest on Saturday.

Colback played another 90 minutes and was booked.

Alex Gilliead (Bradford City)
A League One trip to Spotland on Saturday found Alex retaining his place in the side against Rochdale. He played the full game and it ended 1-1.

Ivan Toney (Scunthorpe United)
A 69 minute shift at home to Walsall in League One on Saturday failed to bring Ivan a goal but the Iron did subsequently conjure up one - a 1-0 victory leaving them in a promotion playoff place.

Sean Longstaff (Blackpool)
Lobby was included in the side who won 3-0 at Gillingham in League One on Saturday but couldn't continue his scoring run in an 85 minute shift.

Jamie Sterry (Crewe Alexandra) 
The full back had to be content with a place on the bench as the Railwaymen beat Morecambe 1-0 at Gresty Road in League Two on Saturday.

Freddie Woodman (Aberdeen)
There was another afternoon on the bench for Freddie as the Dons won 2-0 at Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

Stuart Findlay (Kilmarnock) 
Defender Stuart contributed another 90 minutes to the Killie cause as their unbeaten run was ended by a 0-2 home loss to Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

Kyle Cameron (Queen of the South)
There was no place for Kyle in the squad for the visit of Dundee United in the Scottish Championship on Saturday. Queens ran out 3-0 winners.

Henri Saivet (Sivasspor)
The midfielder played the full game as his side won 2-0 at Trabzonspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday.

Rolando Aarons (Hellas Verona)
Relegation from Serie A looks increasingly likely for Verona, who lost 1-3 at Genoa on Monday night. 

The winger wasn't involved, having returned to England "for personal reasons" - namely a court appearance.

Adam Armstrong (Blackburn Rovers)
Doncaster Rovers (a) League One, Tuesday.

U18s:
Away woes continue

Stoke City U18s  2  Newcastle U18s  0

Newcastle's U18 side ended their away league fixture programme on Saturday morning by losing to the Potters at their Clayton Wood home.

Having conceded ten goals in their last two games on the road, Dave Watson's side were quickly behind as James Jennings struck after just six minutes of play.

City then doubled their advantage through Joel Mvovi's 21st minute effort before Magpies 'keeper Dan Langley blocked another effort from Jennings with his feet.

A fractious finale saw no less than five bookings and a straight red shown to Stoke's Lewis Macari (grandson of Lou) for his challenge on Oliver Walters in the fifth minute of added time.

Team: Langley, Joyce, Walters, Longstaff, Cass, McEntee, Kasinga, Young, Sorensen, Watts, Cole.
Subs n/u: Brown, Swailes, L.Gamblin, Rounsfell.

Booked: Cole, Walters

The curtain comes down on Newcastle's campaign with this Friday's rearranged home fixture against Boro - which is a 11am kick-off at Little Benton.

Ex- Magpie:
Roy Bentley RIP

The death of former Newcastle United striker Roy Bentley was confirmed on Friday, a month before what would have been his 94th birthday.

The Bristolian began his career as a centre half with Bristol Rovers, Bristol City and Liverpool but had converted to a striker by the time he moved to Tyneside in June 1946.

An immediate hit at SJP with 25 goals in 54 league and cup appearances, he left abruptly during January 1948 and joined Chelsea for a £12,500 fee.

Capped by England, Roy was a prolific scorer for the Blues and his eventual total of 150 strikes puts him fifth in their all-time scorers list, behind Didier Drogba, Kerry Dixon, Bobby Tambling and Frank Lampard.

Leaving a year later and playing for Fulham and QPR, Bentley later managed both Reading and Swansea.

May 2011 found him receiving warm applause from both Chelsea and Newcastle fans when introduced to the Stamford Bridge crowd before the teams met.

Event:
Talk-in winner

A quartet of former Magpies are heading to Newcastle City Hall next month for a special talk-in event on the final weekend of the season.

Boasting a combined tally of over 1,200 games for the club plus 241 international caps, Keith Gillespie, Shay Given and Rob Lee will be in conversation with MC John Beresford on Friday May 11th.

Three categories of tickets are on sale here for this Legends event, with entry from £35.50, a £55.50 Gold option including entry and signed copy of Shay Given's book and a £69.50 VIP option including entry, a Given book and a pre-show meet & greet with the lads.

Thanks to promoters Floodlight Entertainment, we had a pair of VIP tickets to give away and asked which much-travelled Magpies defender is behind Shay at White Hart Lane in 2007. 

It was of course Peter Ramage and from the correct entries received, Scott Elliot from Consett was selected as the winner. Thanks to all who entered. 

U23s:
United ruin Villans'
title hopes

Newcastle U23s  2  Aston Villa U23s  0

Match report

Premier League:
Metro non-movers

Fans attending Newcastle's last two home games of the season via the metro are set be affected by further line closures as follows: 

Sat 28.04.2018 West Brom (h) 3pm
There will be no metro service between Tynemouth and Byker in either direction all day. Replacement bus service 900 will operate between affected stations.

Sun 13.05.2018 Chelsea (h) 3pm
There will be no metro service between Monkseaton and St James in either direction all day.Replacement bus service 900 will operate between affected stations.

Full details of both closures are online here

Premier League:
Another perfect
Matt finish

Newcastle  2  Arsenal  1

Match report

Former Magpie returns:
Old boy gets Cod 

League One side Fleetwood Town have confirmed that Joey Barton will take over as Head Coach in June - following the expiration of his ban from football related activities due to betting regulation breaches.

The 35 year-old former Magpie midfielder spent part of pre-season with the Cod Army in 2012 when on the books of QPR. However they were prevented from signing him on loan by the Football League due to another ban and he went off to Marseille instead.

It's not expected that Barton will register as a player, although with the mackems bound for the third tier he may not be able to resist it....

Magpies return to HK:
Newcastle v Newcastle  

Following a one year absence, a Newcastle U21 squad will return to Hong Kong next month to compete in the annual Hong Kong Soccer Sevens tournament. 

The Magpies brought home the trophy at the first time of asking back in 2012 and this year will be the sixth time that they've participated in the event, staged between May 18th and 20th.

Hong Kong Football Club in Happy Valley will once again stage the tournament and United have been drawn in Group C along with the hosts HKFC, Glasgow Rangers and Australian side Newcastle Jets.

Also featuring in the 16 team event are teams from West Ham, Aston Villa, Brighton and Leicester City.

PS: There's also a Masters event, with the region represented by a Wallsend Boys Club squad featuring various former Magpies including Michael Bridges.

TL18:
Old boys assemble

Following the success of previous gatherings of former Magpies, the 2018 Toon Legends Club Dinner is at the Village Hotel on Saturday May 12th 2018. 

Guest speaker is Rob Lee and in attendance will be:

Tommy Cassidy, Frank Clark, John Cowan, Tommy Craig, John Craggs, George Dalton, Keith Dyson, Ray Ellison, Bert Garrow, Chris Guthrie, Ron Guthrie, Gordon Hindson, Pat Howard, Gordon Hughes, Keith Kennedy, Ron McGarry, Jon McNamee, Stewart Mitchell, Bob Moncur, Duncan Neale, Jimmy Smith, Graham Winstanley and Charlie Woods.

There's also a reunion of the 1969 international youth cup winning team with the following also present:

Bob Agar, Dave Clarke, Chris Coppen, David Crane, Ian Crumplin, David Embleton, Stuart Fellows, Terry Harrison, Kenny Heslop, Ian Hopkinson, Terry Johnson, David Lawson, Paddy Lowery, Artie Lumsden, Colin Mather, Les O'Neill, Jimmy Sutton, David Tolson, Ian Watts & coach Keith Burkinshaw.

Tickets are £50 including a three course meal (£450 for a table of 10). Details from Daniel on 07786 244178. 

The Village Hotel is just off the A19 at West Allotment, close to Silverlink / Northumberland Park.



The "other" boys of 1969 (pictured above) lifted silverware at the De Kuip home of Feyenoord after beating Arsenal 2-0 in the final. 

Their route to the final included wins over Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles, Belgians Beerschott and a draw against a Spurs side featuring a certain Graeme Souness. 

Premier League:
West Bromwich 
Albion (h)

Saturday sees Newcastle host a Baggies side who will be relegated from the Premier League if they fail to win at St. James' Park. 

It's an old-fashioned 3pm kickoff and a sell-out.

Coral match betting will appear here

NUFC: To follow

WBAFC: To follow

Referee: tbc

UK TV: None

Overseas TV: To follow

UK Radio: None

Local Radio: Live on BBC Radio Newcastle

Travel:  

There will be no metro service between Tynemouth and Byker in either direction all day. Replacement bus 900 operates between affected stations.

Roads around SJP will be traffic free for 20 minutes either side of the final whistle, with barriers closed at these junctions:

Strawberry Place/Leazes Park Road
Strawberry Place/Barrack Road
Strawberry Place/St James Street
Strawberry Lane

Leazes Terrace will also be traffic-free for the same period, additionally closing from 12.30pm.

Pizza Express on Dean Street are offering anyone with a valid match ticket a 30% reduction on their total food bill before and after the game. Only one match ticket is required for a full table to qualify.

Stats: 

Baggies in Toon - Premier League:

2015/16 won 1-0 Mitrovic
2014/15 drew 1-1 Perez
2013/14 won 2-1 Gouffran, Sissoko
2012/13 won 2-1 Ba, Cisse
2011/12 lost 2-3 Ba 2
2010/11 drew 3-3 S.Taylor, Lovenkrands, OG
2009/10 drew 2-2 Guthrie, Lovenkrands
2008/09 won 2-1 Barton(pen), Martins
2005/06 won 3-0 Solano, Ameobi 2(1pen)
2004/05 won 3-1 Kluivert, Milner, Shearer
2003/04 lost 1-2 Robert (LC)
2002/03 won 2-1 Shearer 2

Upcoming Premier League fixtures:

Sat 28.04.2018:
Liverpool v Stoke City (12.30pm) Sky
Burnley v Brighton & Hove Albion (3pm)
Crystal Palace v Leicester City (3pm)
Huddersfield Town v Everton (3pm)
Newcastle v West Bromwich Albion (3pm)
Southampton v Bournemouth (3pm)
Swansea City v Chelsea (5.30pm) BT

Sun 29.04.2018:
West Ham v Manchester City (2.15pm) Sky
Manchester United v Arsenal (4.30pm) Sky

Mon 30.04.2018:
Spurs v Watford (8pm) Sky