Opener: Papiss Cisse heads home Newcastle's first
goal as they eased to victory over Liverpool
Papiss Cisse showed £35million man Andy Carroll
how to do it as Newcastle increased their advantage over Liverpool
to 11 points.
The Senegal international's 19th-minute header set the
Magpies on their way to a victory which leaves them in pole
position to claim a top-six Barclays Premier League finish, and his
second with 59 minutes gone sealed it.
But on a black day for the visitors, keeper Pepe Reina was
sent off nine minutes from time for head-butting defender James
Perch, indicating as he belatedly left the pitch that he would
resume their discussion after the final whistle.
But it was all smiles for the locals among a
sell-out crowd of 52,363 as Alan Pardew celebrated a repeat of his
first game in charge with another win over Liverpool.
The game was billed as a significant showdown in
the race for sixth place with the Magpies enjoying an eight-point
advantage over the big-spending rivals ahead of
kick-off.
It was also a homecoming for Carroll and Enrique,
both of whom were treated to a hostile reception by fans who
mourned their respective departures, but have since found life
without them more than bearable.
Blatant: Andy Carroll tries to win a penalty with a
dive (above) but is promptly booked for his actions (below)
Carroll's opening 45 minutes did not go as he
would have liked as he became involved in a series of physical
tussles after being booked for a blatant ninth-minute dive in an
attempt to win a penalty.
His fortunes did not improve when he was presented with
his first real chance with 28 minutes.
Another former Magpie, Craig Bellamy, caused problems for
makeshift left-back Jonas Gutierrez throughout, and although Mike
Williamson managed to get to his cross first, the ball looped up
nicely for the striker to get to it before keeper Tim Krul, only
for him to loop his header over.
By that point, his side were already trailing as a
patched-up Newcastle team defended deep and in numbers, but hit the
visitors repeatedly on the break.
Krul had tipped a Bellamy cross on to the bar and
full-back Danny Simpson bundled the ball off the line after the
Dutchman had spilled Steven Gerrard's cross.
But when the home side broke, they did so at pace, and to
great effect after 19 minutes.
Hatem Ben Arfa skipped away from Jay Spearing and then
Jonjo Shelvey to send the perfect cross to the far post for Cisse
to rise and head past Reina.
For all the Reds continued to enjoy more than their fair
share of possession, Newcastle created as many openings, and they
might have extended their lead 11 minutes before the break when
Demba Ba's long-range shot clipped defender Martin Skrtel and
wrong-footed Reina, only to drop just wide.
Only one No 9: Cisse celebrates his first goal against
Liverpool which sent Newcastle on their way to victory
But Cisse should really have made it 2-0 with four
minutes of the half remaining when Danny Guthrie crossed from the
right and he sent a downward header past Reina, but wide of the
post.
The woodwork came to Liverpool's rescue within three
minutes of the restart when Williamson climbed highest to head
Guthrie's cross against the foot of the post.
But as the half wore on, it was Liverpool who started to
gain the upper hand with their host`s carelessness in possession
hurting them.
Bellamy only just failed to reach Gerrard's inviting
56th-minute cross and Shelvey drilled the ball straight at
Krul.
Claim: Liverpool felt they were denied a penalty with
the assistant referee possibly blinded by the sun
But when the game's second goal arrived, it did so
at the other end, and it was Cisse who again did the
damage.
Ba stabbed the ball across goal where Ben Arfa helped it
on to Cisse, and he calmly stepped inside Reina before firing
home.
Luis Suarez might have reduced the deficit within three
minutes but his effort was blocked by Perch.
Dalglish's men continued to fight for salvation as the
clock ran down, but their efforts grew increasingly
laboured.
Carroll was withdrawn to a chorus of boos and went
straight down the tunnel, and Liverpool`s hopes were finally dashed
when Reina senselessly headbutted Perch nine minutes from time as
was sent off.
Game over: Carroll was substituted in the second half,
much to the delight of the Newcastle fans
Flashpoint: Pepe Reina headbutts James Perch (left)
before being sent off by referee Martin Atkinson (right)
Pile on! Newcastle players celebrate after Papiss Cisse
scored his second goal to seal the win over Liverpool
Newcastle: Krul; Simpson, Perch,
Williamson, Gutierrez; Cabaye, Tiote, Guthrie (Gosling 65); Ben
Arfa (Santon 90), Cisse (Shola Ameobi),
Ba.
Subs not used: Elliot, Ryan Taylor,
Vuckic, Ferguson.
Booked: Cisse, Tiote,
Perch
Goals: Cisse 19, 60
Liverpool: Reina; Flanagan, Carragher,
Skrtel, Enrique; Gerrard, Spearing, Shelvey (Downing 76); Bellamy
(Henderson 79), Carroll (Kuyt 79), Suarez.
Subs not used: Doni, Aurelio, Maxi,
Coates.
Booked: Carroll, Flanagan,
Shelvey.
Sent off: Reina
Att: 52,363
Referee: Martin Atkinson (West
Yorkshire)
