Page 182 - 368603 LP250721 AWY AWY AWY Book (238pp A5)

to shine, was replaced by Ben Arfa, who for me is their most skilful player. Di Canio was actually on the pitch urging McClean forward and then we won another corner. Johnson was sounding dead on his feet but it was McClean who was replaced by Vaughan a minute or two later. Midway through the half the score was still 1-0 and with one sub still to use we were still looking okay for a result.
With just over twenty minutes left we had a great shout for a penalty for handball but it went unheeded and next Ben Arfa thankfully headed a great chance over the bar. We made our last change a couple of minutes later when the mysterious Mangane finally made his debut as he replaced Cuellar. Then silence engulfed Sid James's when Johnson burst down the right, cut in past their static defence and shot left-footed past Elliot to put us 2-0 up. He'd already had a great game, putting in a lot of good crosses instead of hitting the first man or booting them too far. With twelve minutes to go Newcastle fans were already starting to leave, which was music to my ears. N'Diaye had a good shot that Elliot knocked away and with five minutes on the clock a wonderful afternoon got even wonderfuller (why not?) when Vaughan smashed a brilliant long-range effort into the top right corner to put the game beyond doubt. Six minutes of stoppage-time were announced and we were still creating chances but Newcastle failed to threaten our goal again and it ended 3-0.
What a brilliant result, our best at St James's since 1966 apparently, and it was beyond my wildest dreams. I
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