St. James' Park
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 50,180)
-
Off = Jonas Gutierrez
On = Gabriel Obertan
Substitution 60 mins -
Off = Papiss Cisse
On = Shola Ameobi
Substitution 61 mins -
Cheick Tiote
Yellow Card 63 mins -
Off = Cheick Tiote
On = Sylvain Marveaux
Substitution 77 mins -
Shola Ameobi
Goal! 81 mins -
James Perch
Yellow Card 88 mins -
Shola Ameobi
Yellow Card 90:00 +5 mins
Newcastle 1 QPR 0
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
At St. James' Park
Newcastle United 1 (Ameobi 81)
Queens Park Rangers 0
Substitute Shola Ameobi stepped off the bench to fire Newcastle United to three huge Premier League points, with a 1-0 home win over Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon.
The long-serving striker curled home with time running out to hand the Magpies a perfect early Christmas present, netting his first league goal of the season in the process.
Despite the late nature of the result, United were well worth the victory, having dominated the Hoops from start to finish but struggling to find any sort of breakthrough.
Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba, James Perch and the outstanding Vurnon Anita all saw chances come and go, before Ameobi took responsibility and netted a fine strike at the Leazes End.
In torrential conditions, United made a bright start to proceedings, with Cisse heading into the side netting and a couple of crosses just evading their intended targets.
The hosts forced corner after corner and bombarded the Rangers box with crosses, but were unable to break down a stubborn visiting defence.
Despite the lion's share of possession and some excellent passing on a slick St. James' Park surface, it took until the 36th minute for the Magpies to carve out a real goalscoring opportunity.
A superb one-two between Ba and Cisse released the latter inside the box, but the Senegalese front man stabbed wide under pressure from Fabio.
Ba then thumped a couple of 25-yard free-kicks into the Gallowgate End, failing to even get close to troubling Hoops stopper Robert Green, while with half-time approaching Perch curled one narrowly off target, having been set up nicely by Vurnon Anita.
Djibril Cisse was inches away from breaking the deadlock within a couple of minutes of the restart. Adel Taarabt waltzed through a handful of challenges before freeing the front man, whose low strike was turned round the post by Tim Krul.
On the hour mark United should have been ahead. Ba released Jonas Gutierrez down the left flank and the Argentine's first time cross was sent onto the forehead of Cisse at the far post.
However, the forward was unable to keep his effort down, nodding wildly off target in what was to prove his final touch of the afternoon, replaced immediately by Ameobi, with Gabriel Obertan also coming on in place of Gutierrez.
Newcastle were trying to force a way through the visitors' rearguard, and an Anita free-kick caused chaos in the penalty area, before the same player almost curled a corner straight in.
Anita then turned provider, only for Ameobi to head his driven cross down into the turf and wide of the upright from eight yards.
Obertan had been out of action with a toe injury but carved out a chance for Ba when he strode down the left and delivered for United's leading scorer to head tamely at Green.
And with nine minutes remaining the Magpies finally got their reward for almost constant pressure, as Ameobi cut in from the right and curled a low left-footed strike into the far corner.
Having scored once, it was almost immediately two. Defending a corner one second, the hosts were on the front foot seconds later, with Marveaux played in by Anita and racing forward before stinging the palms of Green with a fierce drive.
The Frenchman went agonisingly close again on 87 minutes, sending a free-kick right on the edge of the box a lick of paint the wrong side of the upright.
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; James Perch, Cheick Tiote (Sylvain Marveaux 77), Vurnon Anita; Papiss Cisse (Shola Ameobi 61), Demba Ba, Jonas Gutierrez (Gabriel Obertan 60)
Subs not used: Steve Harper, Shane Ferguson, Gael Bigirimana, Sammy Ameobi
Queens Park Rangers (4-3-3): Robert Green; Anton Ferdinand, Ryan Nelsen, Clint Hill, Fabio Da Silva; Esteban Granero (Shaun Wright-Phillips 56), Stephane Mbia, Alejandro Faurlin (Shaun Derry 79); Jamie Mackie, Djibril Cisse (Junior Hoilett 64), Adel Taarabt
Subs not used: Brian Murphy, Armand Traore, Samba Diakite, Nedum Onuoha
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
Bookings: Newcastle - Tiote (63), Perch (88), Ameobi (90); Queens Park Rangers - Ferdinand (42), Hill (86)
Attendance: 50,180 (922 QPR)
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Jamie Mackie(QPR). Free kick taken right-footed by Adel Taarabt(QPR) from left channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Rob Green(QPR) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Ryan Nelsen(QPR) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from left channel, passed.
Stephane Mbia(QPR) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Fabio Da Silva(QPR).
Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Rob Green(QPR) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Rob Green(QPR).
Foul by Ryan Nelsen(QPR) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from left channel, passed.
Foul by Clint Hill(QPR) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) from left channel, passed.
Foul by Davide Santon(Newcastle) on David Hoilett(QPR). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Rob Green(QPR) from own half, resulting in open play.
Adel Taarabt(QPR) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by James Perch(Newcastle) on Adel Taarabt(QPR). James Perch(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Shaun Derry(QPR) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Clint Hill(QPR) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Free kick taken left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) from right channel (20 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Rob Green(QPR).
Foul by Clint Hill(QPR) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Clint Hill(QPR) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Shot by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Rob Green(QPR).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Adel Taarabt(QPR) to centre, resulting in open play.
Goal by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) left-footed (bottom-left of goal) from right side of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 1-0 QPR. Assist (pass) by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) from right channel.
Shot by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), clearance by Clint Hill(QPR). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) to centre, resulting in open play.
QPR substitution: Alejandro Faurlin replaced by Shaun Derry (tactical). Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Mike Williamson(Newcastle).
Newcastle substitution: Cheick Tiote replaced by Sylvain Marveaux (tactical).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Anton Ferdinand(QPR).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Foul by Stephane Mbia(QPR) on Shola Ameobi(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Header by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), save (caught) by Rob Green(QPR).
Foul by Clint Hill(QPR) on Shola Ameobi(Newcastle). Free kick taken right-footed by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from right channel (25 yards), blocked by Adel Taarabt(QPR). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) to centre, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Rob Green(QPR).
Foul by Clint Hill(QPR) on Shola Ameobi(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Header by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Rob Green(QPR).
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Ryan Nelsen(QPR). Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) to near post, save (caught) by Rob Green(QPR).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Rob Green(QPR).
Foul by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) on Shaun Wright-Phillips(QPR). Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour.QPR substitution: Djibril Cisse replaced by David Hoilett (tactical). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Anton Ferdinand(QPR) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Ryan Nelsen(QPR) on Shola Ameobi(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) from left wing, save (punched) by Rob Green(QPR).
Foul by Jamie Mackie(QPR) on Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, passed.
Header by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar. Newcastle substitution: Jonas Gutierrez replaced by Gabriel Obertan (tactical).Newcastle substitution: Papiss Cisse replaced by Shola Ameobi (tactical). Goal kick taken long by Rob Green(QPR).
Defending throw-in by Jamie Mackie(QPR).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
QPR substitution: Esteban Granero replaced by Shaun Wright-Phillips (tactical).
Defending throw-in by Anton Ferdinand(QPR).
Goal kick taken short by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Fabio Da Silva(QPR).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Fabio Da Silva(QPR).
Demba Ba(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Rob Green(QPR) from own half, passed.
Foul by Esteban Granero(QPR) on James Perch(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Alejandro Faurlin(QPR) to centre, header by Stephane Mbia(QPR) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
Shot by Djibril Cisse(QPR) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (tipped round post) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Jamie Mackie(QPR) on James Perch(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, passed.
Shot by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (30 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Rob Green(QPR).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) to centre, save (caught) by Rob Green(QPR).
Shot by Davide Santon(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), blocked by Esteban Granero(QPR).
Jamie Mackie(QPR) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, passed.
Djibril Cisse(QPR) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, passed.
Shot by James Perch(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Rob Green(QPR).
Shot by Djibril Cisse(QPR) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Anton Ferdinand(QPR) booked for dissent.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Anton Ferdinand(QPR).
Foul by Stephane Mbia(QPR) on Vurnon Anita(Newcastle). Free kick taken right-footed by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from left channel (30 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Rob Green(QPR).
Foul by Stephane Mbia(QPR) on Vurnon Anita(Newcastle). Free kick taken right-footed by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from right channel (25 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Rob Green(QPR).
Foul by Esteban Granero(QPR) on Cheick Tiote(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, passed.
Defending throw-in by Anton Ferdinand(QPR).
Shot by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Rob Green(QPR).
Goal kick taken long by Rob Green(QPR).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Alejandro Faurlin(QPR) to centre, save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Anton Ferdinand(QPR).
Djibril Cisse(QPR) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Rob Green(QPR).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) to centre, save (punched) by Rob Green(QPR).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Fabio Da Silva(QPR).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Clint Hill(QPR).
Foul by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) on Fabio Da Silva(QPR). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Fabio Da Silva(QPR) from own half, passed.
Foul by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) on Alejandro Faurlin(QPR). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Esteban Granero(QPR) from left channel, resulting in open play. Goal kick taken short by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Fabio Da Silva(QPR).
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Adel Taarabt(QPR). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Esteban Granero(QPR) from right channel, passed.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) to centre, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Fabio Da Silva(QPR).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Anton Ferdinand(QPR).
Goal kick taken long by Rob Green(QPR).
Shot by Adel Taarabt(QPR) right-footed from right channel (12 yards), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Anton Ferdinand(QPR).
Defending throw-in by Djibril Cisse(QPR).
Defending throw-in by Anton Ferdinand(QPR).
Defending throw-in by Fabio Da Silva(QPR).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Fabio Da Silva(QPR).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Djibril Cisse(QPR) on Davide Santon(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) to far post, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) on Fabio Da Silva(QPR). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Rob Green(QPR) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Cheick Tiote(Newcastle) on Alejandro Faurlin(QPR). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Clint Hill(QPR) from own half, passed.
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) to centre, header by Demba Ba(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Anton Ferdinand(QPR).
Goal kick taken long by Rob Green(QPR).
Djibril Cisse(QPR) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.