As Newcastle United’s season continued to unfurl, and the winning streak continued to lengthen, accusations leveled at NUFC was that they hadn’t played ‘anyone’ yet – with ‘anyone’ presumed to be the top four (this despite Newcastle playing both Arsenal and Spurs and coming away undefeated).

Up until last weekend Newcastle maintained one of the last remaining undefeated streaks – and losing to Man City was the first Premier League loss sustained by Newcastle all season. So the fixture list in November / December of Man City, Man Utd, and Chelsea was deemed to be the time when Newcastle’s season unfurled. The loss against City was certainly not a foregone conclusion, and the performance against the billionaires earned some respect from pundits across the country.

A second visit to Manchester in the space of the week was looked on as too much for Alan Pardew’s men, but the players representing Newcastle United did so superbly on Saturday. The Toon frustrated Man Utd and few teams will match the dogged determination shown at Old Trafford by Newcastle. Justifiably, Pardew was proud of his Geordie heros and rightly so – they had something to prove. Demba Ba for cooly slotting away the penalty, Danny Simpson for stopping the ball on the goal-line, and Tim Krul for world class save after save.

The penalty awarded to the Toon by the linesman is a non-issue to me – Newcastle have had more than their fair share of those decisions not given, so what goes around comes around. Rio Ferdinand should have taken his own movement to heart #StayOnYourFeet.

No doubt the same people who made such a deal of Newcastle not playing anyone will say that the Toon were given a penalty which shouldn’t have been, but my answer to that is this – did you see Man United’s goal? The ball barely trickled over the line from Chicharito’s backside!

So, after all the games have been played this weekend Newcastle United remain in fourth with Chelsea to visit St. James’s Park on December 3rd, and Newcastle have every right going into that game in a confident mindset.

According to Jim White, Sky Sports News presenter, the talk of last night’s game against QPR was all about Joey Barton. Barton, who had been handed the captain’s armband would turn out to be the least of Newcastle’s worries as a total of six players made their debuts for QPR.

The London club put Newcastle on the back foot right from kick-off as Taraabt and Wright-Phillips were running the show. Time and time again Wright-Phillips ghosted past Ryan Taylor as if he wasn’t there. It’s clear for all Newcastle fans now (if it wasn’t earlier) that the purchase of Davide Santon is now looking like a master stroke. Integrating the Italian defender into the team will be Pardew’s main task.

QPR’s three centre midfielders ran Tiote and Cabaye ragged. Tiote looked off the pace at times and struggled to get himself involved in the game (although he did put in an ‘enthusiastic’ challenge on Joey Barton – to which Barton referenced on Twitter). Cabaye showed moments of class playing one or two great balls to the front two, but that was about it really. He was often watching the ball fly over his head as Newcastle resorted to playing direct (read long ball) to the front pairing of Best and Ameobi.

Best did have a chance after a great turn but keeper Paddy Kenny thrwarted his effort and pushed it wide. Jonas Gutierrez arguably had the best of Newcastle’s chances as he sent one over from just a few yards out. Newcastle’s attacking options were somewhat thwarted though as we were constantly having to deal with QPR pushing men forward.

With that being said, thanks has to go to Danny Simpson and Steven Taylor who both made goal-line clearances. Even though we did nothing going forward, the Newcastle backline were resolute. Yes, Ryan Taylor did have a bit of a mare, but with Santon ready to come in that’s an area which will be improved upon.

This was a Newcastle performance to forget as many of our players were under-par. However, to leave Loftus Road with a point, remain unbeaten in the Premier League, and sit in fourth place is something to be satisfied with – and we haven’t even played well yet!

Newcastle United’s games against Spurs and Manchester City over the festive period were looked at as something of a bonus if we got anything from them. However, the games against Wigan, and tomorrow’s game against West Ham are definitely games we should be looking to win. Staying in the Premier League is vital for this club. Beating the likes of Arsenal is a bonus, but if we can’t beat the teams around or below us, then serious questions need to be asked.

Fortunately, thanks in part to the magnificent vocal support by the NUFC fans at the DW Stadium, Newcastle were able to record a vital win over a feisty Wigan side. Newcastle had chances to put the game beyond Wigan, but the rustiness of Peter Lovenkrands and Shola Ameobi was plain to see. Ameobi should have put Newcastle a goal up in the first three minutes after a fine cross from Danny Simpson, but managed to head wide – in what was arguably the best chance of the match.

Amoebi did manage to grab the vital goal though as a close range finish after a scrappy interchange in the box, and fine work from Joey Barton. Both Coloccini and Steven Taylor saw efforts denied by the crossbar as the Toon asserted themselves in the second-half. Without star man Charles N’Zogbia Wigan look a side destined for the drop – they very rarely tested Newcastle’s goal and ‘Keeper Steve Harper had little to do. There was even a sighting for Leon Best as he was given a chance late on in the game and almost could have cemented the win.

Victory for the Toon managed to take us into 10th spot and pull further away from the relegation mire. We have a chance to complete our first double as West Ham bring their band of merry cockneys to St. James’s Park tomorrow. Another crucial game against an inform Hammers side with three points being vital for NUFC’s future.

As voices of discontent gathered at the back of the Milburn stand before the game, they were equally as vociferous in their support for their team once they got inside the ground. The second largest attendance of the day (43,067) certainly made their feelings known.

The Newcastle fans had something to shout about other than the owner as Jonas Gutierrez ran from the halfway, and finished with a shot that went past ‘Keeper Joe Lewis. The shot took a deflection but it’s thought that Jonas will be given credit for the goal (please dubious goals panel?).

NUFC kept up the pressure as the fans bayed for blood and they got what they were looking for when Andy Carroll headed in a Danny Guthrie corner. Newcastle went in 2-0 up at the half and continued in similar fashion in the second-half thanks to a quality strike from Danny Simpson. Simpson, on loan from Manchester United, cut in from the right and hit a shot that ended up in the top corner.

Peterboro managed to claw one back on the 80th minute with Dean Keats finding the back of the net with a close range finish. It was too little too soon though as Newcastle United took all three points and maintained their top of the table position. The Toon are clear at the top of the Coca Cola Championship by two points, and six points clear of the teams in a play-off position.

No points however were given to the Toon stewards as they made Newcastle fans who unfurled anti-Ashley banners take them down. I don’t know about anyone else, but freedom of speech is a right – just not at St James’s Park, apparently.

Newcastle take on QPR tonight at St James’s Park and a win will take us five points clear at the top of the Championship.

NUFC Player News

The Toon welcome back Jonas Gutierrez from a hamstring injury and Danny Guthrie from suspension. Coloccini is ruled out with an injury, while Ryan Taylor and Danny Simpson are both last minute decisions. With some of the performances of last weekend, you’d hope that Chris Hughton would be able to field an un-changed side.

After the results went our way with both Middlesbrough and West Brom losing, it’s time we showed our mettle. Anything less than a win would be a wasted opportunity.

Prediction:

Newcastle 2 – 0 QPR