Cacapa Will Take The Stick ... But Midfield Are Just As Guilty!

Last updated : 09 November 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor
FULHAM 2 NEWCASTLE UTD 1

FULHAM: Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky; Davies, Murphy (Baird, 89), Bullard, Gera (Dempsey, 64); Johnson, Zamora (Nevland, 74).

Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Gray, Stoor, Andreasen.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Given; Beye, Cacapa, Coloccini, Enrique; Gutierrez (Owen, 71), Butt, Barton, Duff; Ameobi, Martins.

Subs not used: Harper, Bassong, Geremi, Guthrie, N'Zogbia, Carroll.

Cacapa will be the fall guy, for gifting Andy Johnson his third goal since his transfer to Fulham in the summer.

A hopeful ball into the middle seemed 'eat and drink' to the experienced Brazilian, but his effort to head the ball over Fabricio Coloccini's shoulder went pair-shaped and struck the Argi on the back, falling at Johnson's feet.

It was a costly mistake, but he suffered for it, while the Toon midfield didn't click into gear at all in the first 45 minutes and made effort after error.

Danny Murphy and Jimmy Bullard ran the show in the first half as Nicky Butt and Joey Barton came second best in every department.

We always have the option of pace - which obviously helps in away games - with Shola Ameobi and Oba Martins leading the line, and Jonas Gutierrez and Damien Duff on the flanks. But Gutierrez was hemmed out on the right alway up against two players, and Duff was doing half of Jose Enrique's job on the left.

As we have reported countless times this season, Ameobi and Martins struggle to link up, and although Shola is the easy target to blame, Oba was (on this occasion) probably more guilty.

Frustration came to a head at one point when Shola won a header and set Martins on his way (probably the only time they linked all match), and the Nigerian didn't make the effort to chase it. Ameobi was NOT a happy man.

Fulham have few star names, but they certainly played more as a team in the first half and we expected changes during the interval. They didn't come, but Kinnear seemed to have lit a bonfire under a couple of arses.

Barton added more bite and a little inspiration, while Butt at least started to compete on a better level.

Newcastle emerged fired up after the break and their 57th-minute equaliser by Ameobi, which (to be honest) had a hint of offside about it, was fitting reward for the fight.

Duff's cross was deflected by Johnson into the centre of the area but a strange bounce saw the ball elude right-back John Pantsil.

Instead, it slipped behind him and Shola Ameobi was the first to react by drilling home from three metres out.

Schwarzer palmed a low shot from Barton around the post as Newcastle continue to look the more likely to score.

But against the run of play Roy Hodgson's team restored their lead when Murphy struck from the spot in the 66th minute.

Coloccini clipped Johnson as he sprinted into the area and referee Mark Atkinson had no hesitation signalling a penalty.

Shay Given dived the right way but had no chance as Murphy's shot hit the net to put Fulham ahead.

Kinnear introduced Michael Owen in a desperate attempt to gain a point, with a three-prong strike force that was obviously putting all his eggs in one basket.

It could ... and SHOULD ... have worked, but the England striker missed the chance of the match, with England boss Fabio Capello watching from the stand.

Owen found himself with only the Fulham keeper to beat but somehow he screwed the ball away from the goal, with Ameobi looking on in disbelief.

Not the time nor the place to wish the ground would swallow him, and he can forget about any international call up ... knowing Capello has never really rated the 28-year old.

Fulham found themselves in 10th position, as the Toon dropped (with the Mackems) into the relegation zone.

NEWCASTLE'S SEASON SO FAR:
FULHAM 2 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Ameobi)
Given; Beye, Cacapa, Coloccini, Enrique; Gutierrez (Owen, 71), Butt, Barton, Duff; Ameobi, Martins.
Subs not used: Harper, Bassong, Geremi, Guthrie, N'Zogbia, Carroll.

NEWCASTLE UTD 2 ASTON VILLA 0 (Martins 2)

Given, Beye, Coloccini, Taylor, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Barton, Butt, Duff, Martins (Cacapa 88), Ameobi (Owen 90).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Guthrie, Bassong, N'Zogbia, Geremi.

NEWCASTLE UTD 2 WEST BROM 1 (Barton pen, Martins)

Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Duff,Guthrie, Barton, Gutierrez (Geremi 70), Martins (Xisco 77),Ameobi (Carroll 90).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Bassong, N'Zogbia, Edgar.

SUNDERLAND 2 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Ameobi)
Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong (Jose Enrique 84), Geremi (Gutierrez 73), Guthrie, Butt (Barton 85), Duff, Ameobi, Martins.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, N'Zogbia, Xisco.

NEWCASTLE UTD 2 MAN CITY 2 (Ameobi, Dunn og)
Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Geremi, Guthrie, Butt, Duff, Martins (N'Zogbia 72), Ameobi (Carroll 79).Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Jose Enrique, Xisco, Edgar.

EVERTON 2 NEWCASTLE UTD 2 (Taylor, Duff)
Given, Taylor, Coloccini, Cacapa,Jose Enrique (Bassong 39), Geremi (Ameobi 75), Butt, Guthrie,N'Zogbia, Owen, Duff.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Xisco, Edgar, Doninger, Donaldson.

NEWCASTLE UTD 1 BLACKBURN R 2 (Owen pen)
Given, Bassong, Taylor, Coloccini, Cacapa, Geremi (Ameobi 71), Butt, Duff, N'Zogbia (Edgar 82), Xisco, Owen.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Tozer, Doninger, Donaldson, Ranger.

(Carling Cup)NEWCASTLE UTD 1 TOTTENHAM HOT 2 (Owen)
Given, Geremi, Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong,Cacapa (Edgar 72), Butt, N'Zogbia, Owen, Duff (Xisco 72),Martins.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Ameobi, Tozer, Doninger, Donaldson.

WEST HAM UTD 3 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Owen)
Given, Edgar (Bassong 59), Taylor, Coloccini,N'Zogbia, Geremi, Cacapa (Gonzalez 81), Butt, Duff, Owen, Xisco.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Ameobi, Tozer, Doninger, Donaldson.

NEWCASTLE UTD 1 HULL CITY 2 (Xisco)
Given, Edgar (Bassong 68), Taylor, Coloccini,N'Zogbia, Geremi, Butt, Guthrie, Xisco, Owen,Ameobi (Gonzalez 61).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Cacapa, Danquah, Doninger, Donaldson.

ARSENAL 3 NEWCASTLE UTD 0
Given, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Bassong 44), Taylor,Gutierrez (Barton 89), Guthrie, Butt, Beye (Edgar 89),N'Zogbia, Owen, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Tozer, Donaldson, Ranger.

(Carling Cup) COVENTRY CITY 2 NEWCASTLE UTD 3 AET (Dann og, Milner, Owen)
Given, Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique,Milner, Geremi (Owen 75), Butt, Guthrie, N'Zogbia, Gutierrez.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Taylor, Edgar, Tozer, Donaldson, Ranger.

NEWCASTLE UTD 1 BOLTON WANDERERS 0 (Owen)
Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, N'Zogbia, Milner,Butt, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Martins (Owen 53), Duff (Geremi 46).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Jose Enrique, Bassong, Smith, Edgar.

MANCHESTER UNITED 1 NEWCASTLE UTD 1 (Martins)
Given, Beye, Taylor, Coloccini, N'Zogbia, Milner, Butt, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Duff, Martins.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Jose Enrique, Bassong, Smith, Geremi, Edgar, Donaldson.