Source: Team_Talk
Toon leave it late to deny Swans
A single goal was always likely to settle a clash between the division's two meanest defences and it was the impressive David Cotterill who looked to have proved the difference for the hosts with an exquisite effort from the edge of the area shortly after the restart.[LNB]It was nothing less than the Swans deserved having enjoyed more possession over the course of the game, although without really turning their dominance into goalscoring opportunities.[LNB]But Carroll, who was somewhat fortunate to still be on the pitch following a nasty foul on Garry Monk just minutes earlier, headed home Leon Best's cross from close range in the closing minutes.[LNB]It was the first goal City have conceded in over six hours but, nevertheless, the point extended their unbeaten run to 12 league games and saw them leapfrog rivals Cardiff into fourth place.[LNB]Chris Hughton will be relieved to have snatched a point having already seen his Newcastle side's club-record 15-match unbeaten league run abruptly ended by a 3-0 defeat at Derby in midweek. Newcastle now lead West Brom at the summit by one point.[LNB]The hosts started on the front foot with a succession of corners but after just seven minutes left-back Federico Bessone was forced off with what appeared to be a calf injury.[LNB]Swansea dominated possession but had few chances to show for it, with Andrea Orlandi's 21st-minute free-kick drifting wide.[LNB]City's lack of creativity up front almost came back to haunt them soon after as Kevin Nolan - with 10 league goals to his name this season - headed the best chance of the opening half-hour wide.[LNB]Swansea were still the dominant force as the interval approached, forcing a couple of half-chances, although the Magpies were showing glimpses of their threat going forward.[LNB]The Swans started the second half in the same fashion as they started the first, and Nathan Dyer whistled an effort inches wide from around 25 yards as Orlandi and Shefki Kuqi also went close.[LNB]Darren Pratley was next to pose a threat before Cotterill finally broke the deadlock with his second goal in the space of a week.[LNB]The midfielder received the ball on the edge of the area, feigned to shoot before picking his spot and curling an unstoppable effort into the top corner past a helpless Steve Harper.[LNB]Swansea continued to look strong after grabbing the initiative and Ashley Williams wasted a great chance to register a second when he headed well off-target from four yards out.[LNB]Newcastle were struggling to create any clear-cut openings for an equaliser, but Carroll was to emerge as their saviour with three minutes of normal time to go.[LNB]He showed his striker's instinct to head a late leveller from Best's cross to deny Swansea a first win over their north-east opponents in over 30 years.[LNB][LNB]
