Carroll rescues magpies a point

Stoke City 1-1 Newcastle United

Yesterday seen Alan Shearer’s side travel down to the Brittania Stadium in a crucial 6-pointer with Stoke city.

Newcastle went into the game only managing 1 win in their last 15 games. However Stoke sit 6th in the leagues form guide and look top contenders to beat the drop this season. Newcastle still without Joey Barton and Steven Taylor and also Obafemi Martins pulling out of the squad with a groin problem to give Shola Ameobi his first start since Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat away to Bolton.

In a noisy Brittania Stadium the home fans made the opposition feel uncomfortable and intimidated with constant booing for the first 45 minutes from the limited possesion that Newcastle had throughout. As Stoke continued to dominate the first half, referee Chris Foy gave a debatable corner kick Stoke’s way. After yet another lapse in concentration at the back Abdoulaye Faye happily shrugged off Shola Ameobi to power in the games opener, pushing Newcastle even closer to the relegation trapdoor.

90% of the game Newcastle’s backline handled the somewhat famous ‘Delap Throw’ and the constant powering long ball longing for the heads of Fuller and Beattie, but where victims to a Stoke-Dominated game up until the 80th minute mark. A sharp turn in the game meant Newcastle were pushing for a much needed equaliser, eventually grabbing a goal. Andy Carroll rescued a point for the toon with a looping header over Sorenson with just under ten minutes remaining.

Stoke and their fans will no doubt be frustrated at the fact they never secured all 3 points, as they failed to redeem long periods of domination throughout the match.

Alan Shearer will be delighted to claim his first point as Newcastle boss, but faces a in-form spurs side next week on the back of 1 defeat in their last 8 premiership games.

Overall a draw didn’t do either side any favours in there hope for survival, but both sides had to settle for a point in a feisty encounter involving a fight to keep premiership status.