Page 181 - 368603 LP250721 AWY AWY AWY Book (238pp A5)

neutral observer of the game, said it was our best performance of the season and our back four had been solid.
As we kicked off again my spirits were high but I just hoped that our lack of fitness didn't get the better of us. Also we hadn't done well at holding on to a lead this season. With three players on yellow cards, Newcastle were going to have to be careful if they wanted to finish with eleven men. Ameobi had replaced Gouffran which wasn't good news as he's always a good bet to score against us. Newcastle started with all guns blazing and won an early corner. Di Canio berated McClean for straying into their half from a Mig goal- kick and becoming offside whereas a good break may have been on otherwise. After a second Newcastle corner we had a great chance when Debuchy headed weakly back to Krul and Johnson intercepted the ball but his lob just failed to beat him. Bardo had been down injured a few times and he was replaced by Colback nine minutes into the half. We immediately went close from a Graham header that was put out for a corner and in the action Krul fell badly and was promptly replaced in goal by Elliot. Seb patted Krul's uninjured arm as he went off.
As the hour-mark approached it was going end to end and it sounded like Newcastle had equalized but Sissoko's effort was ruled offside. Micky Gray seemed to think it wasn't offside but who cares? Sess was straight up the other end and went down in the box but was warned by referee Webb for diving. Next thing Cabaye, who'd had little chance
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