Newcastle United – Arsenal

1. The Newcastle line-up for tonight's big game: Given, Taylor, Bramble, Hughes, Bernard, Dyer, Bowyer, Jenas, Robert, Bellamy, Ameobi. And warming the bench: N'Zogbia, Milner, Brittain, Ramage, Harper.

2. And for Arsenal: Almunia, Lauren, Toure, Campbell, Cole, Ljungberg,Vieira, Flamini, Pires, Henry, Van Persie. And on the subs bench for the Gunners: Fabregas, Senderos, Pennant, Clichy, Lehmann.

3. The final Premiership game of 2004 is upon us. Given the quality of the two teams and the amazing support for at St James Park, Arsenal versus Newcastle should prove to be a fitting farewell to what has been a superb sporting year...

4. Still no Shearer for Newcastle, but they go for an attacking 4-3-3. However, the forward-minded Robert and Bellamy are likely to drop back into the middle to create a 4-5-1 when the Magpies are without the ball.

5. For Arsenal Ashley Cole is back, while Almunia continues in goal. They line-up in the standard 4-4-2.

6. Before the game the players and fans will observe a minutes silence for the victims of the tsunamis which have devastated South-east Asia.

7. And we're underway, with Newcastle mounting an early attack down the right flank.

8. 1'

   Freekick to the Magpies - Dyer hobbles away from the tackle. As does Vieira. Early worries for the bench.

9. 2'

   Robert powers down the left side. The Frenchman is full of energy, but the move breaks down.

10. 3'

    Given pulls off a good save a long way off his line from Van Persie's strike. Corner.

11. 3'

    The first corner is flighted in, but runs out for another corner ball at the other side of the pitch.

12. 4'

    A third corner after Newcastle again fail to clear.

13. 5'

    Van Persie drives the ball into the area, but Henry fails to control with his heel and Newcastle breath a sigh of relief

14. 5'

    More danger for Newcastle as Arsenal press. Henry and Van Persie again threatening. A few marginal offside calls go Arsenal's way - danger signs for the home side

15. 6'

    Ameobi is muscled off the ball chasing down a hopeful pass

16. 7'

    Campbell displays the weakness in his game - that being that he thins he's David Beckham. He's just launched the most outrageous long-ball into acres of space, nowhere near a colleague. Ridiculous, delusional play.

17. 8'

    Great effort from Ameobi flies just wide of Almunia's goal - a sign that Newcastle have the potential to threaten Arsenal

18. 9'

    The home supporters, as ever, are in fine voice, cheering on their team.

19. 10'

    Foul given rightly against Cole for a foul on Bellamy. Freekick on the left touchline in an advanced position.

20. 11'

    Robert switches flanks to float in the kick, but it's cleared. Should have done better.

21. 12'

    Van Persie is flattened by the Newcastle midfield. And a moment later Pires is decked by Bowyer - Newcastle trying to boss the centre.

22. 13'

    A fourth corner for Arsenal is conceded by Bernard.

23. 14'

    Van Persie lofts the ball toward Campbell, who rises high and heads at goal only for Ameobi to clear of the line.

24. 15'

    Another corner after Flamini's shot was deflected out.

25. 15'

    Newcastle clear and swap midfield, but they lose the ball and Henry almost's gets a header on target from the counter

26. 16'

    A decent quick break from Newcastle - Dyer almost gets a chance, but the pass to him was too slow

27. 17'

    Another half-chance for Dyer after Ameobi rose high to win a header from Robert's deep cross. The ball dropped for Dyer but he couldn't get a shot away.

28. 18'

    Plenty of chances in the game so far, but somehow no goals!

29. 19'

    Great play by Cole. He cut out a great defence-splitting pass aimed at Dyer. The full-back chested the ball and fed it clear to Pires before chasing past his team-mate to offer an option out wide.

30. 20'

    And there's the other side of Cole. A Freekick against him for nasty hack at Bellamy's shins. That's why neutrals get frustrated with Cole; he's a great player but has an unsporting streak which many find distasteful.

31. 21'

    A Newcastle corner comes to nothing after the wise heads in the Arsenal penalty area clear with complete ease.

32. 22'

    Lauren gets a talking to for a cynical foul - no booking just a word from the ref.

33. 23'

    Things just not going for Newcastle, Bowyer and then Robert losing the ball with mis-read and over hit passes.

34. 24'

    Almost 25 minutes in and Bowyer is getting a bit tetchy. Things going against him and his solution is to barge into Pires, who doesn't even have the ball! Ludicrous. Freekick - still no cards.

35. 25'

    Another Gunners corner. And again it is over hit, but not properly cleared and Newcastle are on the ropes.

36. 26'

    Finally Given has the ball and launches a huge clearance aimed at Ameobi. Sadly for Shola, he's out-numbered and can't gather or hold the ball with the close attention of Campbell and Cole.

37. 27'

    Newcastle struggling to play through the Arsenal centre, but not having any luck going over the top with long clearances and hopeful long-balls. A need for invention.

38. 28'

    Arsenal starting to spray the passes around, probing openings left and right. Looking ominous.

39. 29'

    The Gunners lose the ball and again Given has it, but again his hoofed pass is gathered by the men in red and Arsenal start pinging the ball around looking for a weakness to exploit.

40. 30'

    Excellent work by Ljungberg. He hunted down Bowyer, then Robert to ensure that Newcastle squander possession in their own half.

41. 31'

    The Toon finally break foward after a few torrid minutes under the cosh. Ameobi seems full of confidence and has a shot - but it's saved.

42. 32'

    Newcastle Steven Taylor gets the biggest cheer of the night for a full-blooded but fair tackle on Pires.

43. 32'

    Oh dear, spoke too soon. Taylor gets a booking for another full-on tackle on Pires, this time deemed over the top by the ref who reaches for his card. The fans don't like it, but why would they?!

44. 33'

    Yet another corner for Arsenal, this time Ljungberg and Vieira combine to meet the ball, but they get in eachothers' way and the ball is over the bar.

45. 34'

    Newcastle threaten to break through the Arsenal rearguard, but are soon repelled. Back to the drawing board at halftime for Mr Souness.

46. 35'

    Newcastle just not slick or quick enough on the ball. They seem to need too much time, too many touches on the ball, and Arsenal are denying them at all times.

47. 36'

    Lauren is down and seem to have a knock on his right leg. Is he really hurt? Let's see...

48. 37'

    As play gets back underway who rejoins the game? Lauren. Say no more.

49. 38'

    Given pulls off a save, but concedes a corner following a fine long-range strike from Van Persie.

50. 39'

    Cole again fells Bellamy - an un-cultured shove, not a tackle. The crowd boo. They want a booking and they are right to ask for it.

51. 40'

    And Cole is involved in more contentious action - this time he handles the ball in the area while fending off an attack. It should have been a penalty, but the ref and linesman see nothing wrong. Souness will fume when he sees the replay!

52. 41'

    A booking for Cole - a big cheer greets the card! He finally goes into the book for a foul on Bellamy. Not before time - persistant unsporting play. No need.

53. 42'

    Newcastle have grown in confidence in the last few minutes - more possession and they look threatening.

54. 43'

    A Magpies' corner is cleared, but it has been their best spell so far in the game.

55. 44'

    Halftime approaching and the players seem to have shifted down a gear.

56. 45'

    One minute of time added on by the ref.

57. 45'

    A goal from nothing for Vieira!!!!!

58. 45'

    The ball dropped for Vieira after ricocheting off two Newcastle defenders. From 8-yards outside the penalty area, he looked up and volleyed the ball straight at goal, and Given was left helpless as the shot dip over him. Exquisite strike.

59. 45'

    And that's the final action of the half!

60. 45'

    Well, Arsenal don?t really deserve the advantage. While they started brighter Newcastle fought their way back into the game and had a claim for a penalty. But Newcastle are guilty of switching off and paid the price by allowing Vieira to snatch a goal from nothing.

61. 45'

    Souness will need to address creative problems during the break: at times the Toon looked devoid of ideas. However, Arsenal will continue the pressure and look to kill off the game. Newcastle must concentrate and make sure they are alert to moments of luck, like the one which just gifted Arsenal their goal.

62. 45'

    And we're back underway at St James Park

63. 46'

    Henry shows some sweet skills to carve open Newcastle's defence and create a chance for Ljungberg

64. 48'

    A quiet start to the half - Given dribbles the ball out of his area before launching an ugly long ball to the line of Newcastle attackers on the Arsenal 18-yard line. Not surprisingly this unexciting attack was swatted away. Poor from Newcastle.

65. 49'

    Newcastle win a corner thanks to Bowyer's workrate.

66. 50'

    Shocking delivery and Arsenal break.

67. 51'

    An overhit pass from Lauren leaves Ljungberg doing the splits on the turf. He smiles, the crowd wince. Bernard takes the resulting throw.

68. 52'

    Robert skips away from a dangerous tackle from Lauren, before the referee Steve Bennett calls play back for a freekick.

69. 53'

    The freekick from Robert is poor, but it breaks to Bowyer who lashes a drive wide of goal

70. 54'

    Flamini finds himself in acres of space just outside the Newcastle penalty area, but instead of shooting he lifts a pass to Van Persie who fouls the defender - wasted opportunity.

71. 55'

    Craig Bellamy fails to get on the end of a decent ball down the right from Dyer - Bellamy has been quiet tonight, perhaps Milner will be on for him in aw hile.

72. 57'

    A good spell from Newcastle ends with Taylor overhitting his cross.

73. 58'

    Newcastle have a shot at goal saved by Almunia - bright stuff from the home team

74. 59'

    Bramble and Hughes do well to smother an attack spearheaded by Henry

75. 60'

    Dyer and Robert probe the Arsenal right

76. 60'

    Ironic cheers from the Toon Army after the ref gives a freekick for a handball - Pires the offender

77. 61'

    Robert lines-up a corner as Newcastle press.

78. 61'

    Vieira clears the corner and Van Persie breaks. He links up with Henry, but Van Persie's shot is poor.

79. 63'

    Van Persie gets a booking for a mis-timed tackle. No malice in the attempt but Taylor was felled late.

80. 63'

    Arsenal break down the left with Cole - he rips up the pitch before reversing a pass to Van Persie who is off the pace, fluffs his first touch and Newcastle clear.

81. 64'

    Time for Milner Mr Souness? Newcastle are looking dangerous but are missing something, how about a change?

82. 66'

    Arsenal switch play to the back - spreading the ball about.

83. 66'

    Arsenal play keep ball - until that is Toure fires a pass into touch

84. 67'

    Great play by Robert - he tears down the right and fires in a ball from the byline into the penalty area, but the pass evades Bowyer and Bellamy. Great move but the final ball was missing. Frustrating.

85. 68'

    Hughes does well to intercept a one-two pass to Cole from Henry - solid defending

86. 70'

    Painful looking clash between Lauren and Bernard.

87. 71'

    Lauren went in on Bernard and will get a booking for his troubles

88. 72'

    Booked he maybe, but he might be off the pitch through injury. Meanwhile, Newcastle have a freekick in a dangerous area.

89. 73'

    Arsenal clear

90. 73'

    Jenas with a half chance - the ball breaks to Bowyer who wins a foul after diving under a challenge from Van Persie.

91. 74'

    Ljungberg delays the taking of the freekick and the ref brings the kick forward to edge of the area. Lauren is back on.

92. 75'

    Robert fires the ball into the wall at a fearsome pace. Moving the kick forward did help Newcastle then.

93. 75'

    And here's a change for Arsenal - Van Persie goes off and on comes Gael Clichy.

94. 77'

    Clichy is making an immediate difference getting forward

95. 78'

    Souness really needs to make a change - nothing happening.

96. 80'

    Arsenal applying pressure as they try to run down the clock

97. 82'

    Jenas, the Magpies skipper in Shearer's absence, is having a decent gaming in the centre, but there is still some guile missing for Newcastle.

98. 83'

    A shot from distance flies a few feet wide of Given's goal - they will be dead buried if the let another one in.

99. 84'

    Just over five minutes to go and unless the second half finishes the way the first did, Newcastle don't look like they can get a goal.

100. 85'

     Finally a change is on the cards for Newcastle: N'Zogbia warming up.

101. 86'

     Bernard tries to fire in a cross but it's deflected. Meanwhile, Ljungberg is down getting treatment.

102. 87'

     Pires goes down on the halfway line.

103. 87'

     Henry falls under pressure from Bramble

104. 88'

     Souness is hurrying proceedings - pointing to his watch as a throw is taken.

105. 88'

     Newcastle pile forward

106. 89'

     Toure concedes a throw, but nothing come of the pressure, much to fans' frustration.

107. 90'

     Newcastle win a freekick, 40 yards out - Robert fancies his chances with a long-range special

108. 91'

     Robert lashes his shot high and wide - it would have been some goal. Row K, can we have the ball back?

109. 92'

     Four extra minutes have been signalled.

110. 92'

     Arsenal really aren't used to this level of pressure so late in the game - they look a little flustered but are, so far, equal to the pressure.

111. 93'

     The Gunners just can't keep possession, but Newcastle can't make it pay for them

112. 93'

     Decent work on the left from Ameobi, but all he wins is throw which Robert will launch long into the box

113. 94'

     But the final whistle goes and Arseanl win it.

114. 94'

     An entertaining game which was won by Arsenal by virtue of Vieira's first half strike, which replays have shown took a deflection. But Arsenal will not mind, they ground out another result, something they must carry on doing if they are to catch Chelsea!

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