EPL Week 30: Arsenal Top Newcastle 3-1
March 22nd 2009 20:31
With less than ten games remaining to the season, both Arsenal and Newcastle United were looking to improve their situation in the standings – the former wanted to consolidate their fourth place while the latter hoped to avoid the relegation zone. After a scoreless first half, both teams exploded in the second half with four goals scored in the span of ten minutes.
The match was pretty quiet until the 22nd minute when Newcastle were awarded a penalty. Unfortunately for the Magpies, Martins' weak effort was easily stopped by Almunia who had dived the right way. The pace of the game quickened after that opportunity with both teams getting chances on goal. Martins was the busiest player as he tried to make up for his missed penalty but his numerous attempts went wide of the goal. At the other end, Arshavin's rocket at the 34th minute shaved off the crossbar while Van Persie was denied once by Harper and another time by center-back Steven Taylor who was majestic in defense, blocking shots throughout the game.
The breakthrough finally came at the 56th minute when Bendtner's header slipped past Harper. Newcastle evened the score right after the ensuing kickoff as their long ball in front was mishandled by Sagna and Toure, and Martins handled the rest with a reflex-shot. Five minutes later, Diaby gave the lead back to the Gunners after a nice give-and-go with Van Persie. Finally, Nasri scored the insurance goal at the 66th minute after another excellent pass by Van Persie. The Dutch striker desperately tried to get a goal of his own, but Harper always answered the call. The entrance of Owen around the hour-mark sort of broke Newcastle's pace. The chemistry in front wasn't there anymore, and Newcastle fans had to settle for a disheartening defeat.
Arsenal's line-up: Manuel Almunia; Bacary Sagna, Kolo Toure, William Gallas, Gael Clichy; Samir Nasri, Denilson, Abu Diaby, Andrei Arshavin (Alexandre Song, 74th); Robin Van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner (Emmanuel Eboue, 88th).
The match was pretty quiet until the 22nd minute when Newcastle were awarded a penalty. Unfortunately for the Magpies, Martins' weak effort was easily stopped by Almunia who had dived the right way. The pace of the game quickened after that opportunity with both teams getting chances on goal. Martins was the busiest player as he tried to make up for his missed penalty but his numerous attempts went wide of the goal. At the other end, Arshavin's rocket at the 34th minute shaved off the crossbar while Van Persie was denied once by Harper and another time by center-back Steven Taylor who was majestic in defense, blocking shots throughout the game.
The breakthrough finally came at the 56th minute when Bendtner's header slipped past Harper. Newcastle evened the score right after the ensuing kickoff as their long ball in front was mishandled by Sagna and Toure, and Martins handled the rest with a reflex-shot. Five minutes later, Diaby gave the lead back to the Gunners after a nice give-and-go with Van Persie. Finally, Nasri scored the insurance goal at the 66th minute after another excellent pass by Van Persie. The Dutch striker desperately tried to get a goal of his own, but Harper always answered the call. The entrance of Owen around the hour-mark sort of broke Newcastle's pace. The chemistry in front wasn't there anymore, and Newcastle fans had to settle for a disheartening defeat.
Arsenal's line-up: Manuel Almunia; Bacary Sagna, Kolo Toure, William Gallas, Gael Clichy; Samir Nasri, Denilson, Abu Diaby, Andrei Arshavin (Alexandre Song, 74th); Robin Van Persie, Nicklas Bendtner (Emmanuel Eboue, 88th).
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