Source: Northern_Echo
Magpies unbeaten run ends
AS far as trips to the seaside go, this was one to forget for Newcastle United. Blackpool’s players were told to “frighten them to death” and Ian Holloway’s orders were followed through to the letter.
Despite claiming the lead against the run of play through striker Andy Carroll five minutes before half-time, the Magpies’ unbeaten start to life in the Championship came to a frustrating end.
Blackpool out-played and out-fought Newcastle from start to finish at Bloomfield Road and goals from strike pair Brett Ormerod and Jason Euell inflicted defeat number one of the season on Chris Hughton’s men.
Holloway’s pre-match notes offered an indication of what was on offer for Newcastle and they were left in no doubt about the desire and commitment they will need to show this season if they want to stay in contention for the top two.
Having conceded for the first time in 541 minutes and lost for the first time since relegation was confirmed at Villa Park in May, it will now be a test of character to see how Hughton can get his players to respond against Plymouth on Saturday.
This was not a display that mirrored previous at this level, but it was a match that paired these two 1951 FA Cup finalists to cross paths once again in league football for the first time in 28 years.
Blackpool have made steady progress since the turn of the millennium and playing one of their former counterparts from the old Division One again was perceived as something of an altogether different cup final last night.
There had to be a collective spirit if Newcastle were to overcome Holloway’s men and, in the absence of the tenacious and suspended Alan Smith, there was plenty evidence that things were not the same.
The Newcastle defence was regularly exploited, often saved by goalkeeper Steve Harper. Harper made an instinctive save to his right when Ormerod turned and shot after collecting Euell’s low ball into the box, and Hameur Bouazza tapped in the rebound – albeit from an offside position.
Bouazza proved a tricky customer wherever he was on the pitch and it was the winger, after rolling Danny Simpson near the by-line, who created a chance from eight yards for David Vaughan. Harper, though, comfortably saved.
The danger signs from Bouazza, however, were regularly there for Newcastle and needed addressing.
The Algerian, a former Watford midfielder, was the man that caused most of the problems for Newcastle, yet he was constantly given the freedom to weave his magic in the visitors’ half. Only Harper’s quick thinking prevented him from opening scoring, when his rocket shot from 22 yards was turned away.
For all Blackpool’s endeavour, their failure to turn possession into goals looked to have cost them. Newcastle had been over-ran, but that is exactly what the home defence were for the opener.
Simpson’s clever reverse pass after holding up play allowed Danny Guthrie the opportunity to deliver to the back post from the right wing, and Carroll jumped above everyone to nod beyond goalkeeper Paul Rachubka.
Carroll – included for the rested Nile Ranger on his return from injury - was unfairly booked for his celebrating his first goal since April by running towards the 1,642 away fans, but the relief was clear on the players, staff and supporters of a Geordie persuasion.
It didn’t last long. Blackpool were rewarded for an impressive first half on the stroke of half-time when Harper was given little help from his defence.
Harper blocked Adam’s powerful drive but former Southampton striker Ormerod was the first to react, scuffing his rebound which bounced over the Newcastle keeper.
After the restart things did calm down, to a degree. But it was still Blackpool who looked the most likely winners.
Harper remained the busier of the two goalkeepers and he had already been forced into a terrific near post save from Bouazza, after Adam’s clever back-heel had played him in, before Blackpool deservedly took the lead.
Bouazza, again, was the architect. His delivery from the right was not cleared and it fell kindly at the back post for Euell to turn and power high into the Newcastle net after his initial shot was blocked.
There were moments as the clock ticked down, particularly when substitute Ranger’s back post injury-time header was cleared off the line by Vaughan, but an equaliser would have been fortunate for Newcastle.
Matchfacts
Goals: Carroll (40, 0-1); Ormerod (45, 1-1); Euell (65, 2-1)
Bookings: Carroll (40, over-celebration)
Referee: John Moss (Leeds) 6
Attendance: 9, 647
Entertainment: ***
BLACKPOOL (4-4-2)
Rachubka 6; Eardley 6, Evatt 8, Baptiste 8, Crainey 6; BOUAZZA 8 (Bangura 82), Southern 6, Adam 8 (Emmanuel-Thomas 83), Vaughan 6; Ormerod 7, Euell 6. Subs: Gilks, Clarke, Martin, Edwards, Almond.
NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-1-1)
HARPER 7; Simpson 5, S Taylor 5, Coloccini 6, Enrique 6; R Taylor 4 (Geremi 65, 5), Butt 4, Nolan 5, Barton 6 (Ranger 82); Guthrie 6 (Lovenkrands 65, 5); Carroll 7. Subs: Lua-Lua, Krul (gk), Kadar, Donaldson.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Hameur Bouazza – the Algerian tormented the Magpies from start to finish.
