Newcastle won on Boxing Day for the first time in a decade beating Bolton 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium to claim their first victory in six games.
The Magpies had failed to win a game since beating Everton at the start of November but proved too much for Owen Coyle’s side with Hatem Ben Arfa and Demba Ba striking within two minutes of each to ensure all three points went back to the North East. It was another hammer blow to the Trotters who’s hopes of survival now look slim after they failing to win at home once again. They now sit four points away from safety and must be wondering where their next win will come from after another drab display in front of their supporters. Newcastle, on the other hand, bounced back from their disappointing defeat against West Brom last Wednesday to end their barren run at the Reebok Stadium and move onto 30 points for the season.
Straight from the first whistle it was clear just what the visitors intentions were with Cheick Tiote and the returning Yohan Cabaye marshalling the midfield from kick off. Jussi Jaaskelainen was the first of the two keepers called into action getting down well to save Ryan Taylor’s curling free kick before Tim Krul did brilliantly to keep out Martin Petrov’s stinging effort. It was the Magpies who looked the more likely to score in the first forty five minutes and they should have taken the lead through Leon Best but the striker could only glance his header wide despite being unmarked in the penalty area. However the sting appeared to have been yanked from their tails after the break as the hosts came out fighting in search of only their second home win of the campaign.
Ivan Klasnic’s attempted dribble through the Newcastle defence saw him fall over his own feet with the Croatian nervously glancing over his shoulder in the hope referee Peter Walton wouldn’t brandish a second yellow card for diving after he was booked in the first half. With the game heading towards a goalless conclusion Toon Army boss threw on Hatem Ben Arfa on the hour mark and nine minutes later the Frenchman struck ghosting in at the far post to convert Taylor’s low cross. Two minutes later it was game over for Bolton as Ba struck for the 14th time this season beating Gary Cahill to get on the end of Gabriel Obertan’s right win cross. Coyle threw Tuncay and Kevin Davies on almost immediately but the duo failed to make an impact as the Magpies returned to winning ways.
[ad_pod id=’writer-2′ align=’right’]