Not on the wind up here at all, but just giving a Newcastle fans view.
1st half we should and could have been 3/4-2 down, you got into far better positions and if Jelavic hadn't knacked himself early doors you may well have found the other goal(s) that would have (in my opinion) killed off the game. Baines and Pienaar were top rate down the left, Perch should never have been at right back where he's always looked suss and the lightweight Anita never should have been put up against the likes of Fellaini in the centre.
the one positive I could take from the 1st half is that despite playing like a pub team we still created a couple of chances.
2nd half was a different story, switching to 2 up front and swapping anita and Perch around was brilliant for us, and it's to Pardew's credit he wasn't afraid to change things (Shouldn't have got it wrong in the 1st place, mind).
Now we had more bite in the middle and more mobility down your left, added to the pressure the Ba and Cisse put on your back four we were able to finally get a foothold. The performance in the 2nd half had a lot to do with the **** being put up the team by the management team. Pardew was right to be pissed off, such a gutless performance.
I don't think there's any controversy, Fellaini was onside, Anichebe's goal should have stood. Shocking decisions by the officials, no comfort I know. But just don't go into work tomorrow thinking the Mags agreed with the ref.
Worst thing is, if you took away those two aberrations, that was a great Premier League game. Nobody will talk about Baines in the 1st half, or Ba in the 2nd. It'll all be goal line technology debate.
couple of asides, I thought a few of your lads were lucky to stay on the pitch, and reading your match thread it seems you agreed. Neville wasn't malicious just late a few times and should have seen a 2nd yellow, but Fellaini's stamp was very naughty. Proud when Harper downplayed the collision and liked seeing Distin and Cisse enjoying the private battle they were having.
Also, rumours going around the Gabriel (Squidward) Obertan refused to get ready to be subbed on, anyone at the game see/hear owt about it?
End of the day I expected a humping and up until Ba's 1st I wasn't surprised it was on the card, much better performance in the 2nd half and in any other game (without the ****-ups) a turn around worthy of a point.
Good luck with the rest of the season and before I forget, the Hillsborough tribute was a touch of class.
