Cards Galore: Newcastle 1- Sunderland 1

photo by hlkljgk	via PhotoRee

Our 11 year old Columnist Connor returns, putting all our other writers to shame:

Inside Newcastle United

Established…………………….. 1892
Manager………………………... Alan Pardew
Nickname…..…………………... The Magpies
Stadium…….…………………... Sports Direct Arena
English Premier League Titles.. 0
Position…………………………. 6th

                                               
Wow! What a game! I don't know how many of you watched the Newcastle v. Sunderland match that aired on Fox Soccer this past weekend, but I did -- and what a game I saw. Right away, the game started off violently, as only 37 seconds into the match, Sunderland player Lee Cattermole got himself a yellow for a sharp tackle on Newcastle's Cheick Tiote. That would be one of 11 cards that were to be handed out at the Sports Direct Arena, on a crisp Sunday afternoon match chock full o' fouls.

In fact, five of the eleven Newcastle starters were handed a yellow. Those included Tiote, Demba Ba and the list goes on and on. Newcastle has had a card problem this year, and their agression really did show on Sunday. Actually, a yellow in the 24th minute by Mike Williamson happened in the box. And, as we all know when it happens in the box, the other team is awarded a Penalty Kick: even the fantastic Tim Krul could not stop Nicklas Bendtner and his powerful right foot!  

So, with the score Sunderland 1, Newcastle 0, the second half began. After that it was a fairly simple game, with approximately 70% of play in the middle third of the pitch.  With 10 minutes left in the match, you could tell Newcastle Manager Alan Pardem was beginning to get anxious, as he started pacing up and down the sidelines. When stoppage time started most Magpie fans were losing hope.

But 53 seconds into stoppage time, Williamson found Shola Ameobi and he hit the bottom right corner to pull Newcastle level. Somewhat disappointingly from my perspective, the whistle blew shortly thereafter, and both teams were awarded a point.

For Newcastle once again, they should feel defeated, drawing to a team like Sunderland: their play needs to step up.

This is farlieonfootie for March 8.