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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 18:05:32 GMT
Andy Carroll is absent yet again. He played a few minutes last time out v Chelsea and pulled his calf or something. In Newcastle I have been listening to what the fans think today :
said Jacob of Douglas Terrace, NE4.
exclaimed an exasperated Scotty (Boy) of St Cuthbert's Road, NE5.
(Got the Bruce reference but not a clue what he was on about with the 3 musketeers. Think it goes back to the days of Pardew)
shrugged Daniel of Bensham Road, NE4.
So Carroll gets snatches of games (usually and most recently the last 5-15 minutes) and hobbles off yet again after coming on in the 74th minute at St James' Park last week. I believe Newcastle will also be missing Allan Saint-Maximin. Wilfred Zaha is still in cold storage with Covid for Palace.
The book is calling Even Money on the home win, 11/4 the away and 9/4 the stalemate.
The Tourney Vote (12 of 14)
Home 3
Away 2
Draw 7
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 19:43:18 GMT
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 19:56:36 GMT
Alan Shearer's head shines under the lights as he explains that Tooners just want their team to play well regularly and become better and that they don't expect Champion's League football and just want decent football from the club. Meanwhile I hope Santa can make my delivery of sussy and suspender-clad TV stunner Fiona Wa - oh, never mind.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 20:22:03 GMT
First effort on target comes from Joelinton on '20 who fires it straight at the Palace keeper. But at times you have to remind yourself which end each team is supposed to be attacking.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 20:26:36 GMT
Now Eze of Palace unleashes a fierce drive but it's again straight towards the keeper and Darlow has little parrying it on '25.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 20:32:22 GMT
Schlupp makes a good run into the Toon area, outpacing his man, and his angled shot is batted away with superb reflexes by Darlow on the half hour. You get the feeling that the first goal here will introduce more, but it's getting that first one.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 20:42:18 GMT
Lewis fires one on target for Newcastle before the break but it's saved again and we still await the first pot.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 20:44:55 GMT
Oh look, it's given away by Scott Dann near his own area and is pounced on by Joelinton. He seems caught unawares with the gift and his shot is weak and saved.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 20:51:25 GMT
The camera lingers on a pensive, rather forlorn-looking, Christian Benteke in the stands and co-commentator Andy Townsend has a few words for him. "He was knocking them in at Villa for fun, then went to Liverpool and it didn't work out. He thought he could resurrect his career at Palace but it's not happened. He's nowhere now."
Nothing like a nice bit of encouragement, you inconsiderate rotter.
The ref blows up on the half. It's still anyone's game but maybe the visitors looking more likely to net.
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Post by DrKrippen on Nov 27, 2020 20:55:24 GMT
Zaha and Benteke out too.
Both teams seem equally inept. Will make for a close match.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 21:01:13 GMT
Zaha and Benteke out too. Both teams seem equally inept. Will make for a close match. The runs of Zaha are sorely missed here as are those of Saint-Maximin, Doc.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 21:04:20 GMT
And I've just noticed all players are wearing black armbands.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 21:05:29 GMT
Roy Hodgson is still in his dugout for this 2nd half while Bruce is still giving it large on the touchline.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 21:12:33 GMT
Here's Ayew for Palace who squirms his way towards the 6 yard box but his finish is stretched and he slides the ball wide of the post while on his ass.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 21:17:01 GMT
Hodgson is now on the touchline, hands jammed in his pockets as he looks out on the action. He knows his side has to step up here. The intent is there but the fluency and cohesion is lacking. Same for Newcastle, it has to be said.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 21:20:32 GMT
After an interminable wait, Palace finally take their free-kick a few yards outside the Newcastle area. There are three Palace shirts over it. Darlow organizes his wall. The ref blows. It's Van Anhoult who will take it...oh, dear, it's a low one straight into the wall. After all that. A shameful waste.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 21:23:10 GMT
Wait a minute, Benteke is coming on. Is he? Yes, he is. A real chance for the player to shove Andy Townsend's earlier comments straight back down his throat. Come on, Christian. 25 minutes left on the clock.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 21:25:50 GMT
Peter Drury thinks it's in as his voice roars into top volume but Callum Wilson's header simply floats just past the Palace bar.
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 21:35:07 GMT
Dann brings down Longstaff and it's a Toon free-kick just outside the box...let's see...
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Post by staggerstag on Nov 27, 2020 21:38:08 GMT
And oof! Ritchie's drive finds a way through the wall but waiting right there is keeper Guita to save a 90mph shot.
Now Benteke at the other end gets hold of it in the box, heads down but Darlow is equal to it. Close.
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