Ben Arfa keeps Newcastle on Champions League path

09 April 2012 18:17

Hatem Ben Arfa's stunning goal set up Newcastle's 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at St James' Park here on Monday as the Magpies maintained their bid for Champions League qualification.

Ben Arfa's superb solo effort in the 73rd minute, allied to Papiss Demba Cisse's 10th goal in nine games seven minutes from time, saw Newcastle draw level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

The top three teams in the Premier League at the end of the season qualify for the first round of the Champions League proper, with the fourth-placed side set for a qualifying round.

Few would have predicted Newcastle would be in such exalted company at this stage of the season but Alan Pardew's men have repeatedly confounded the doubters and this was their fifth successive league victory.

By contrast, defeat left Bolton just a point above the relegation zone.

A lacklustre first half witnessed just the one half chance when, seven minutes before the break when Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan, under no pressure punched Ben Arfa's free-kick into the face of team-mate Sam Ricketts.

Fortunately for Bolton, the ball went wide of the unguarded net.

In the second half, Newcastle keeper Tim Krul saved well from Chris Eagles and blocked a scuffed shot from Mark Davies.

However, the deadlock was broken 17 minutes from time thanks to some sublime play from Ben Arfa.

He received the ball from Yohan Cabaye deep inside his own half before setting off on a brilliant run which saw him draw away from Mark Davies and in between central defenders David Wheater and Tim Ream before calmly steering a shot past the advancing Bogdan.

And in the 83rd minute, Ameobi's cross was turned in by Cisse at the far post and his goal stood despite Bolton protests the forward was offside.

Source: AFP