Not even the most Loony Toony Newcastle fan could have dreamed that we would have pulled it off. And yet, we did. The Magpies topped Arsenal 1-0 over the weekend, shaking things up in the EPL, and further solidifying our shot at being respected once more. Add to that, we did it all at Emirates Stadium, and you have me living a dream.
After getting bashed 0-4 at the SJP by Arsenal in Carling Cup play earlier, Newcastle wanted to make a statement by at least getting a point on the road over the weekend. They topped their expectations. They almost didn't. 11 minutes into the game, Arsenal's Fabregas (former Angel catcher Jorge Fabregas is a cross-sports star?) blasted a 22 yard free kick off the cross bar after it deflected off the wall. Tim Krül, and all Newcastle fans, breathed a sigh of relief. As the first half expired, Joey Barton sent a deep free kick into the box that met with Carroll's head. #9, continuing to put his personal troubles behind him, nodded it home. The Emirates crowd, who anticipated an Arsenal goal on many occasions in the first 45, were left stunned.
As the second half started, the Gunners had another rush. Krül was beaten with the shot, but the ball again rang off the wood work. Thank God for that lovely cross bar. Arsenal continued to pour on the pressure, thanks to substitutions like Robin Van Persie and Andre Arshavin, but Newcastle was a team on a mission. Despite all that the Gunners could throw at us, we held strong. In the 90th, a red was shown to Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny, and their chances to have a comeback came to a close. Newcastle were the shocking winners.
With a little bit of skill and a little bit of luck, Timmy Krül got himself a clean sheet against one of the EPL's best. Can I just say how pleased I am with his play? He has stepped into the spotlight, and outperformed all of our expectations. Michael Williamson has done the same. When Williamson got the nod to be a starter early in the season, I was less than excited. However, he has been a stud on the back line, helping to make it easy for our backup goalie, and he has completely changed my mind about him. In the midfield, Joey Barton has continued to prove that he may be one of the best free kick artists in all of the EPL. Mustache or not, Barton has been spot on. The most love goes to Andy Carroll, though, our lone striker on the night. Carroll has completely turned his life around with his thrilling play on the pitch, and he's prepared to get a National nod against France coming up here real soon.
I know you can barely believe it, but 11 games into the season, Newcastle is ranked #5 in the EPL! At 5-4-2, we have 17 points and a +6 goal differential. The ONLY teams better than us in the top flight are Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal (which is questionable now), and Manchester City. That's it! 15 teams out of 20 are worse than us! I don't want to jinx it, but what a triumphant return to the top.
Today we have a midweek match against #16 Blackburn (3-5-3) before our weekend clash with #13 Fulham (2-2-7). Blackburn, known as the "Rovers" or the "Riversiders," list their top celebrity fan as "the creator of Doctor Who." Nerds. Meanwhile, Fulham, known as the "Cottagers" or the "Lilywhites," list their top celebrity fan as actor Hugh Grant. Dandies.
Let's get a pair of wins, and keep this black and white bandwagon rolling along.
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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