More on The Game. Toon full of nutters! Hull City 1 Newcastle 4 United notched up a seventh away victory of the season in emphatic style on Saturday, breaking their KC Stadium duck in the process and also completing a century of Premier League successes on the road. Rather than glorifying in his side's first back to back wins in 2014 though, Alan Pardew made headlines of his own after a second half clash with a City player ended in the Newcastle manager attempting to head-butt him. Following previous touchline incidents and consequent FA disciplinary action, Pardew now faces hefty punishment and an extended sojourn in the Directors Box. Goals from Moussa Sissoko and Loic Remy gave the yellow-clad Magpies a half time lead, but City briefly threatened a revival when Curtis Davies headed in Tom Huddlestone's free kick straight after the resumption. Sissoko then struck again to restore Newcastle's two goal advantage, before Vurnon Anita's first league strike for the club in added time rounded off the rout. By then though, assistant manager John Carver was overseeing proceedings, following Pardew's dismissal in the wake of a clash with ex-mackem David Meyler. That followed the ball going out of play for a throw in close to the United dugout and Meyler shoving past Pardew as he attempted to retrieve it, the United boss retaliating by leading with his head. Match referee Kevin Friend consulted with fourth official Howard Webb and booked the Hull player before sending Pardew off. With Fabricio Coloccini returning to Argentina after a family bereavement, Pardew had elected to replace him in central defence with Mapou Yanga Mbiwa. Up front meanwhile Luuk De Jong was preferred to Papiss Cisse. After Yoan Gouffran shot narrowly wide, the game sparked into life in the ninth minute when Tim Krul's exceptional double save led to a counter attack from which Sissoko slotted in after Debuchy's centre. The Tigers continued to look dangerous when crosses were delivered from either flank but couldn't fit the target and were punished shortly before the interval when Remy seized on a poor back pass and hurtled upfield before evading McGregor and slotting the ball into an empty net. A free kick into the Newcastle box was then played in and headed home by Curtis Davies to set up an interesting second half. Sissoko soon forced a deflected Gouffran shot home though and further goals could have followed as City lost their shape and United took a grip of midfield. Anita was then on hand to tip home a fourth in added time, after McGregor blocked Paul Dummett's shot. Team: Krul, Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Dummett, Anita, Tiote, Sissoko, Gouffran, Remy, De Jong (Gosling 89) Subs n/u: Alnwick, S.Taylor, Sh.Ameobi, Cisse, Marveaux, Haidara. Goals: Sissoko 10, 55 Remy 42, Anita 90+2 Booked: Tiote, Yanga-Mbiwa HCFC: McGregor, Elmohamady, Rosenior, Figueroa (Koren 62), Bruce, Davies (Chester 86), Livermore (Aluko 62), Huddlestone, Long, Jelavic, Meyler. Subs n/u: Harper, Boyd, Sagbo, Quinn. Goals: Davies 46 Booked: Jelavic, Meyler, Huddlestone. Crowd: 24,903 including 2,500 happy funny fellas in the away section, who regaled City custodian Allan McGregor with chants of "you're just a sh*t Steve Harper." All added to the entertainment.
Hull had their chances, great double save by Krul and we capitalised on some gross errors, I thought the ref had a poor game and the free kick given against Tiote when he clearly got the ball fairly and didn't commit any foul summed it up along with the miss on the foul on Remy right on the edge of the Hull box, this could have been treated as denying a goal scoring opportunity and led to a red card for the Hull player. Overall a good result against a tough team.
Cant understand why Timmy has been left out of Dutch squad and seems his World Cup dreams in tatters. Made some great saves yesterday though his achilles heel will always be coming out for a cross in a crowded box.
Just a young keeper still making a lot of mistakes, his time will eventually come if he improves. They usually do as they get older, all the raw tools are there. Its just decision making which is lacking but that comes with experience. As long as he learns from these errors. Once he hits 30 we'll see the best of him (or someone else will)
I missed the game yesterday, unavoidable social engagement. Anyone shed any light on what it was that let us penetrate Hull 4 times? Is it literally a case of getting our confidence back, or did we set up differently for this one? Who was playing deeper, Remy or LDJ? How did LDJ get on? How did MYM get on?
