St. James' Park
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 49,411)
Le Fondre (77)
Newcastle 1 Reading 2
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
At St. James' Park
Newcastle United 1 (Cabaye 35)
Reading 2 (Le Fondre 71, 77)
Yohan Cabaye scored his third goal of the season but could not prevent Reading coming from behind to snatch a 2-1 win at St. James' Park on Saturday.
The Frenchman curled home a brilliant first-half free-kick to give the Magpies an advantage at the interval which they fully deserved for almost entirely dominating the opening 45 minutes.
But the Royals hit back after the break with substitute Adam Le Fondre grabbing a quickfire brace to earn the visitors their first away win of the season.
United could have been out of sight by half-time but for the heroics of Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici and will look to those missed chances as they reflect on another disappointing home defeat.
Reading set their defensive stall out early on, as United enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening exchanges but were unable to break the stubborn visitors down.
The Magpies' best chance came on 14 minutes when Cabaye pulled the trigger from 20 yards, only to see his effort smothered well by Federici.
Cabaye - making his first start since 11th November following groin surgery - was clearly in the mood to make up for lost time, and immediately saw another strike, this time from a tight angle, kept out by Reading's stopper.
He then turned provider, cutting in off the right flank to dink a cross onto the head of Cisse, whose looping header was brilliantly tipped away to safety.
Arguably though, the best chance of the half fell Reading's way and came in the 27th minute.
Breaking at rapid pace following a Newcastle corner at the other end of the pitch, Danny Guthrie fed Garath McCleary wide on the right, who raced past Mathieu Debuchy before slipping a low cross into the path of the unmarked Pavel Pogrebnyak.
The big striker snatched at his chance, however, and slid an effort wide when he should have at least hit the target.
Normal service was resumed minutes later but again the hosts could not find a way past Federici - twice.
First, Cisse stung the keeper's palms with a fierce volley after a free-kick was only half-cleared, before Federici pulled off an outstanding stop to keep out the same player from near point-blank range following a Debuchy delivery.
But he could do nothing to keep out Cabaye's opener in the 35th minute. Marveaux had been bundled over 20 yards out, and the French international stepped up to curl the resulting free-kick perfectly into the top corner.
Coming out for the second half trailing, Reading would have to show more of an attacking intent than in the first period, and they almost snatched a fortuitous equaliser just minutes after the restart.
Full-back Ian Harte whipped a free-kick into the danger zone and Jonas Gutierrez, stretching, diverted it inches past the upright.
But it didn't take long for Newcastle to get back on the front foot, and Shola Ameobi curled off target from the edge of the area before Cabaye threatened from distance.
Midway through the half, Royals boss Brian McDermott introduced striker Adam Le Fondre from the bench in place of midfielder Danny Guthrie, and his bold switch was instantly rewarded.
Jimmy Kebe received the ball wide on the right and raced towards the by-line before delivering a low cross which Le Fondre bundled home from close range.
Cabaye nearly responded straight away with an overhead kick from the edge of the area that was narrowly off-target, and that was his final moment before being replaced by Gael Bigirimana.
But less than seven minutes after coming on, Le Fondre bagged his second of the afternoon to turn the match on its head.
Kebe kept a deep cross alive with a clever far post header, and former Rotherham man Le Fondre was on hand to sweep home Leigertwood's scuffed shot past the despairing dive of Tim Krul.
There was always going to be one last chance for the hosts and it fell to Cisse with three minutes remaining. Debuchy's cross was nodded on by substitute James Perch into the path of the unmarked striker at the far post.
But Cisse swivelled and somehow blazed high over the bar when you would have expected the Senegal international to slot home with ease.
And that was it as United suffered another Tyneside defeat.
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Tim Krul; Mathieu Debuchy, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Vurnon Anita (Gabriel Obertan 80), Yohan Cabaye (Gael Bigirimana 74); Shola Ameobi, Sylvain Marveaux (James Perch 65), Jonas Gutierrez; Papiss Cisse
Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Steven Taylor, Sammy Ameobi, Nile Ranger
Reading (4-2-3-1): Adam Federici; Stephen Kelly, Alex Pearce, Adrian Mariappa, Ian Harte; Mikele Leigertwood, Danny Guthrie (Adam Le Fondre 70); Garath McCleary (Hope Akpan 64), Jobi McAnuff (c), Jimmy Kebe; Pavel Pogrebnyak
Subs not used: Stuart Taylor, Chris Gunter, Sean Morrison, Jem Karacan, Noel Hunt
Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)
Bookings: Newcastle - Williamson (56), Debuchy (79); Reading - Guthrie (65), Kelly (67), Kebe (90)
Attendance: 49,411 (1,068 Reading)
Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly(Reading).
Foul by Jimmy Kebe(Reading) on Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle). Jimmy Kebe(Reading) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) right-footed from left side of penalty area (18 yards), save (caught) by Adam Federici(Reading).
Attacking throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Adrian Mariappa(Reading). Attacking throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Adam Federici(Reading).
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 James Perch(Newcastle).
Shot by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Adam Federici(Reading).
Attacking throw-in by Gael Bigirimana(Newcastle).
Shot by Gael Bigirimana(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (punched) by Adam Federici(Reading).
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Pavel Pogrebnyak(Reading). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ian Harte(Reading) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Ian Harte(Reading) to centre, save (punched) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Davide Santon(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Adam Federici(Reading) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) caught offside. Newcastle substitution: Vurnon Anita replaced by Gabriel Obertan (tactical). Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Adam Federici(Reading) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle) on Jobi McAnuff(Reading). Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ian Harte(Reading) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Goal by Adam Le Fondre(Reading) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from right side of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 1-2 Reading. Assist (pass) by Hope Akpan(Reading) from right side of penalty area.
Attacking throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Adam Federici(Reading) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Mikele Leigertwood(Reading) on Gael Bigirimana(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Adam Federici(Reading).
Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right. Newcastle substitution: Yohan Cabaye replaced by Gael Bigirimana (tactical). Goal kick taken long by Adam Federici(Reading).
Defending throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Goal by Adam Le Fondre(Reading) (low centre of goal) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards).Newcastle 1-1 Reading. Assist (cross) by Jimmy Kebe(Reading) from right by-line.
Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly(Reading).
Reading substitution: Danny Guthrie replaced by Adam Le Fondre (tactical).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Foul by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle) on Jobi McAnuff(Reading). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ian Harte(Reading) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Stephen Kelly(Reading).
Foul by Stephen Kelly(Reading) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Stephen Kelly(Reading) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Reading substitution: Garath McCleary replaced by Hope Akpan (tactical).Newcastle substitution: Sylvain Marveaux replaced by James Perch (tactical). Foul by Danny Guthrie(Reading) on Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from left wing, resulting in open play. Danny Guthrie(Reading) booked for unsporting behaviour.
Defending throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Shot by Pavel Pogrebnyak(Reading) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Jimmy Kebe(Reading). Mike Williamson(Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour. Free kick taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie(Reading) from left channel (20 yards), over the bar. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Adam Federici(Reading).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to far post, header by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Adam Federici(Reading).
Cross by Davide Santon(Newcastle), clearance by Ian Harte(Reading).
Defending throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Pavel Pogrebnyak(Reading). Shot by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (18 yards), missed right. Goal kick taken long by Adam Federici(Reading). Foul by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) on Danny Guthrie(Reading). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ian Harte(Reading) from own half, resulting in open play. Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly(Reading).
Cross by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle), clearance by Adrian Mariappa(Reading). Attacking throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Foul by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) on Pavel Pogrebnyak(Reading). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ian Harte(Reading) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Shot by Garath McCleary(Reading) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed left. Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle). Defending throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie(Reading) to near post, clearance by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Foul by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) on Danny Guthrie(Reading). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ian Harte(Reading) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Attacking throw-in by Stephen Kelly(Reading).
Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly(Reading).
Defending throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Cross by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle), clearance by Alex Pearce(Reading).
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly(Reading).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Defending throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Cross by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle), blocked by Ian Harte(Reading).
Cross by Stephen Kelly(Reading), blocked by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Foul by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle) on Garath McCleary(Reading). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ian Harte(Reading) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Attacking throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Foul by Jobi McAnuff(Reading) on Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle). Free kick scored by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) right-footed (top-left of goal) from left channel (18 yards).Newcastle 1-0 Reading. Assist by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) from left channel.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Adam Federici(Reading).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to far post, resulting in open play.
Shot by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Adam Federici(Reading). Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, clearance by Ian Harte(Reading).
Jobi McAnuff(Reading) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Shot by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) right-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Adam Federici(Reading).
Foul by Alex Pearce(Reading) on Shola Ameobi(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Pavel Pogrebnyak(Reading) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to centre, resulting in open play.
Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Adam Federici(Reading) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Mikele Leigertwood(Reading) on Shola Ameobi(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from right channel, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly(Reading).
Attacking throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Adam Federici(Reading).
Foul by Stephen Kelly(Reading) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from left wing, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Attacking throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Attacking throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Cross by Davide Santon(Newcastle), clearance by Alex Pearce(Reading).
Attacking throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), save (punched) by Adam Federici(Reading).
Goal kick taken long by Adam Federici(Reading).
Cross by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle), header by Papiss Cisse(Newcastle) from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (tipped round post) by Adam Federici(Reading). Corner from left by-line taken short left-footed by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle). Shot by Vurnon Anita(Newcastle) right-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) right-footed from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), save (caught) by Adam Federici(Reading). Attacking throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly(Reading).
Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Adam Federici(Reading).
Shot by Shola Ameobi(Newcastle) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Adam Federici(Reading). Foul by Garath McCleary(Reading) on Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Mike Williamson(Newcastle) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Davide Santon(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly(Reading).
Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly(Reading).
Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly(Reading).
Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly(Reading).
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), save (caught) by Adam Federici(Reading).
Foul by Ian Harte(Reading) on Shola Ameobi(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Mathieu Debuchy(Newcastle) on Pavel Pogrebnyak(Reading). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Ian Harte(Reading) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Ian Harte(Reading).