Cisse (71)
Sports Direct Arena
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 48,569)
Newcastle 2 Aston Villa 1
By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter
At the Sports Direct Arena
Newcastle United 2 (Ba 30, Cisse 71)
Aston Villa 1 (Keane 45)
Senegalese stars Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse fired Newcastle back up to fifth in the Barclays Premier League table.
The pair only touched down on Tyneside on Thursday after reporting back from the African Cup of Nations, but both were on target in this victory over Aston Villa which saw Alan Pardew's side leapfrog Arsenal and go level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea.
Ba put United in front on a wintery afternoon at the Sports Direct Arena but Robbie Keane equalised on the stroke of half-time.
Then up stepped debutant Cisse to score a memorable goal at the Gallowgate end and well and truly announce himself in the Barclays Premier League.
Only injuries to Leon Best and Ryan Taylor - who was taken to hospital for an X-ray on his ankle - took the gloss off another impressive result for the Magpies.
Ba and James Perch replaced Shola Ameobi and Hatem Ben Arfa as Pardew made two changes to the team which beat Blackburn in midweek.
Villa, meanwhile, included three former Newcastle players in their side and one of them, Charles N'Zogbia, had the first shot of the match after seven minutes. He tried his luck from the edge of the area but sliced his effort horribly wide.
On 13 minutes, Krul made a vital block from ex-Sunderland striker Darren Bent, staying big to deny him after Keane slid the ball to him, before the keeper went on to hold Stiliyan Petrov's follow-up.
Newcastle went on the attack themselves through Best, but he was injured and had to be replaced by Cisse - who amused the Leazes End faithful by warming up in front of them rather than by the side of the pitch.
And the Senegalese striker's first touch was an intelligent pass to Simpson out on the right before he raced into the box to meet the resulting cross, delivered by Taylor. His header was saved by Given but already the home crowd had been given a glipse of what Cisse was about.
Krul then thwarted Bent for a second time, diverting the ball wide with his trailing left leg after Richard Dunne had marched forward and played him in, before Keane turned and shot straight at the Dutchman.
But on the half-hour mark, Ba put United in front. Guthrie's ball in from the left was half-cleared by Dunne but only as far as Taylor who was racing in at the far post. He got to the ball first and was wiped out by Warnock, but the ball broke for Ba to net his 16th goal of the season.
Alas, Taylor paid the price for his bravery as he was stretchered off to be replaced by Gabriel Obertan.
The Villans responded with N'Zogbia shooting into the side-netting and Ireland curling inches wide after being picked out on the edge of the area by Petrov's intelligent free-kick.
There were six minutes of stoppage time, mainly due to the injuries to Taylor and Best although Villa's Stephen Warnock was also in the wars, and Cisse almost marked his debut with a goal. Guthrie clipped the ball in from the right and the new number nine headed just wide from eight yards out.
Then a shot from Santon, which followed a darting run, was deflected just wide by Carlos Cuellar before Guthrie nutmegged Keane and crossed for Ba, whose inventive looping header dropped agonisingly over the bar.
And Keane ensured the scores were level at the break as he converted N'Zogbia's cross just before half-time.
At the start of the second half, Guthrie's cross was met with the faintest of touches by Ba, but Dunne hacked the ball off the line before blocking Cisse's strike from the rebound.
Then Cisse headed over from another delivery from Guthrie, who was popping up all over the pitch.
However, the new signing from Freiburg was not to be denied and on 71 minutes he marked his debut with a goal at the Gallowgate End. Gutierrez sent the ball over from the left, Ba missed it but Cisse controlled it before sending a searing strike into the top corner.
A rather more unlikely name almost got on the scoresheet as Perch won the ball 35 yards out before unleashing a rocket shot which flew narrowly wide with Given beaten.
On 81 minutes, Obertan's cross was poked straight at Cisse by Cuellar and the debutant returned the ball with interest, his effort needing to be tipped wide by the visiting keeper.
Ciaran Clark tested Krul with a 20 yard drive which the Dutchman did well to block before substitute Gary Gardner curled one over the top.
Then Krul made an astonishing double save to first parry Gardner's diving header from point-blank range before reacting to keep out Emile Heskey's follow-up.
Ba was replaced in the final minute by Ameobi and despite Villa's late pressure, he and compatriot Cisse had done enough to secure all three points.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Ryan Taylor (Gabriel Obertan 34), James Perch, Danny Guthrie, Jonas Gutierrez; Leon Best (Papiss Cisse 14), Demba Ba (Shola Ameobi 90)
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Shane Ferguson, Dan Gosling, Hatem Ben Arfa
Aston Villa (4-4-1-1): Shay Given; Alan Hutton, Richard Dunne, Carlos Cuellar, Stephen Warnock; Stephen Ireland (Barry Bannan 46), Ciaran Clark (Gary Gardner 84), Stiliyan Petrov (c), Charles N'Zogbia (Emile Heskey 67); Robbie Keane, Darren Bent
Subs not used: Brad Guzan, Andreas Weimann, Eric Lichaj, Nathan Baker
Referee: Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
Attendance: 48,569
Cross by Barry Bannan(Aston Villa), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Foul by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) on Emile Heskey(Aston Villa). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Shay Given(Aston Villa) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Emile Heskey(Aston Villa) on Shola Ameobi(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: Demba Ba replaced by Shola Ameobi (tactical).
Cross by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa), clearance by James Perch(Newcastle).
Cross by Barry Bannan(Aston Villa), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Cross by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa), clearance by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Cross by Barry Bannan(Aston Villa), header by Gary Gardner(Aston Villa) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Robbie Keane(Aston Villa).
Attacking throw-in by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Gary Gardner(Aston Villa) curled right-footed from right channel (18 yards), missed right.
Foul by Richard Dunne(Aston Villa) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Aston Villa substitution: Ciaran Clark replaced by Gary Gardner (tactical). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Ciaran Clark(Aston Villa) drilled left-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (parried) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) to centre, foul by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) on Darren Bent(Aston Villa). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Shay Given(Aston Villa) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) volleyed left-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Carlos Cuellar(Aston Villa).
Cross by Alan Hutton(Aston Villa), comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Goal kick taken long by Shay Given(Aston Villa).
Shot by James Perch(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right channel (30 yards), missed right.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) caught offside. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Shay Given(Aston Villa) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Barry Bannan(Aston Villa), save (punched) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) drilled left-footed (top-left of goal) from right side of penalty area (18 yards).Newcastle 2-1 Aston Villa. Assist (cross) by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) from left wing.
Foul by Darren Bent(Aston Villa) on Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Barry Bannan(Aston Villa) to centre, resulting in open play.
Foul by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) on Robbie Keane(Aston Villa). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Stiliyan Petrov(Aston Villa) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Cross by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa), shot by Darren Bent(Aston Villa) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Foul by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) on Robbie Keane(Aston Villa). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Carlos Cuellar(Aston Villa) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Foul by Darren Bent(Aston Villa) on Danny Guthrie(Newcastle). Darren Bent(Aston Villa) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Aston Villa substitution: Charles N'Zogbia replaced by Emile Heskey (tactical).
Cross by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle), comfortable save (caught) by Shay Given(Aston Villa).
Shot by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), blocked by Robbie Keane(Aston Villa).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Shay Given(Aston Villa).
Cross by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle), header by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), over the bar.
Foul by Barry Bannan(Aston Villa) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) from left wing, clearance by Richard Dunne(Aston Villa).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Carlos Cuellar(Aston Villa).
Defending throw-in by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Foul by Richard Dunne(Aston Villa) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Richard Dunne(Aston Villa).
Defending throw-in by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), clearance by Barry Bannan(Aston Villa).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Robbie Keane(Aston Villa) drilled right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed right.
Attacking throw-in by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Shay Given(Aston Villa).
Shot by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), missed right.
Cross by Charles N'Zogbia(Aston Villa), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Shay Given(Aston Villa).
Shot by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left channel (20 yards), over the bar.
Attacking throw-in by Barry Bannan(Aston Villa).
Cross by Stiliyan Petrov(Aston Villa), clearance by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Stiliyan Petrov(Aston Villa) to short, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle).Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Shay Given(Aston Villa) from own half, resulting in open play.
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Richard Dunne(Aston Villa).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Carlos Cuellar(Aston Villa).
Darren Bent(Aston Villa) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Aston Villa substitution: Stephen Ireland replaced by Barry Bannan (tactical).
Goal by Robbie Keane(Aston Villa) volleyed right-footed (low centre of goal) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards).Newcastle 1-1 Aston Villa. Assist (cross) by Charles N'Zogbia(Aston Villa) from left side of penalty area.
Cross by Charles N'Zogbia(Aston Villa), clearance by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Shay Given(Aston Villa).
Cross by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle), header by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) from left side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Alan Hutton(Aston Villa).
Shot by Davide Santon(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Ciaran Clark(Aston Villa).
Cross by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle), header by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken short by Shay Given(Aston Villa).
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Cross by Robbie Keane(Aston Villa), comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Outswinging corner from left by-line taken left-footed by Charles N'Zogbia(Aston Villa) to centre, clearance by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle).
Cross by Charles N'Zogbia(Aston Villa), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Shay Given(Aston Villa).
Goal kick taken short by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Stephen Ireland(Aston Villa) curled right-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed left.
Foul by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) on Alan Hutton(Aston Villa). Free kick crossed right-footed by Stiliyan Petrov(Aston Villa) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Charles N'Zogbia(Aston Villa) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
Foul by Richard Dunne(Aston Villa) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Richard Dunne(Aston Villa) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), clearance by Stiliyan Petrov(Aston Villa).
Foul by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) on Charles N'Zogbia(Aston Villa). Danny Simpson(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Stiliyan Petrov(Aston Villa) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), comfortable save (caught) by Shay Given(Aston Villa).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa), comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Darren Bent(Aston Villa) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Newcastle substitution: Ryan Taylor replaced by Gabriel Obertan (injury).
Goal by Demba Ba(Newcastle) drilled right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from left side of six-yard box (6 yards).Newcastle 1-0 Aston Villa. Assist by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from right side of penalty area.
Shot by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Alan Hutton(Aston Villa).
Cross by Charles N'Zogbia(Aston Villa), blocked by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Robbie Keane(Aston Villa) drilled right-footed from left channel (20 yards), comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Shot by Darren Bent(Aston Villa) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (blocked) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Alan Hutton(Aston Villa), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Carlos Cuellar(Aston Villa).
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Cross by Davide Santon(Newcastle), clearance by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Attacking throw-in by Alan Hutton(Aston Villa).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Darren Bent(Aston Villa).
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right channel (30 yards), blocked by Richard Dunne(Aston Villa).
Attacking throw-in by Alan Hutton(Aston Villa).
Goal kick taken short by Shay Given(Aston Villa).
Shot by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) volleyed right-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), over the bar.
Cross by Danny Guthrie(Newcastle), clearance by Richard Dunne(Aston Villa).
Foul by Ciaran Clark(Aston Villa) on Davide Santon(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from left wing, clearance by Darren Bent(Aston Villa).
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Foul by Charles N'Zogbia(Aston Villa) on Davide Santon(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Header by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) from right side of penalty area (12 yards), comfortable save (caught) by Shay Given(Aston Villa).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Charles N'Zogbia(Aston Villa) to far post, comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Robbie Keane(Aston Villa), clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Stephen Ireland(Aston Villa).
Newcastle substitution: Leon Best replaced by Papiss Cisse (injury).
Shot by Stiliyan Petrov(Aston Villa) drilled right-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Darren Bent(Aston Villa) drilled left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (blocked) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Alan Hutton(Aston Villa).
Shot by Leon Best(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from right channel (18 yards), blocked by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Defending throw-in by Alan Hutton(Aston Villa).
Attacking throw-in by Alan Hutton(Aston Villa).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Shot by Charles N'Zogbia(Aston Villa) drilled left-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa) on Ryan Taylor(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Foul by Charles N'Zogbia(Aston Villa) on Danny Simpson(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Stephen Warnock(Aston Villa).
Cross by Davide Santon(Newcastle), clearance by Richard Dunne(Aston Villa).