2012年5月4日金曜日

Manchester United: Can Newcastle Help United by Beating City Next Week?

With yesterday's fantastic performance against Chelsea, the Magpies seem to have already put the crushing 4-0 defeat to relegation candidates Wigan Athletic behind them.

The result means that Newcastle have now won seven of their last eight matches in the League, making them the most in-form side at the current moment in time.

A lot of Newcastle's recent success can be firmly pinned on the shoulders of a certain Senegalese man by the name of Papiss Cisse.

Cisse—who scored two "wonder goals" yesterday at Stamford Bridge—has been an unstoppable goal-scoring machine since his move from German side Freiburg in January.

Thirteen goals in just 12 appearances make him the most prolific goals-per-game striker by far this year in the top flight of English football.

Add into the mix the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa, Dembe Ba and Yohan Cabaye and suddenly you realise that Newcastle actually have an extremely talented selection of players.

As for City, despite dominating against the Red Devils on Monday, recent performances have not been to the same standard that we saw at the start of the campaign.

They have looked shaky on the road, with the obvious exception of the mauling of Norwich City, and as such a trip to the Sports Direct Arena at this late stage of the season is something I'm sure they will be dreading.

The Telegraph has reported that Sir Alex also believes Newcastle can do his boys a favour.

"By the time we kick off we'll know what we'll need to do. Newcastle are fighting for that position in the top four. They have a chance. It's an exciting end to the season.

They have got to win at Newcastle. That is the challenge for them. Newcastle is a very difficult place and they are playing well." 

Fergie later went on to praise Newcastle for their victory of Chelsea yesterday, reminding the footballing world that United have not been able to win a game at Stamford Bridge in the league for nearly eight years.

Admittedly after having an eight-point gap with just six matches remaining, it's a sad state of a affairs that leaves us having to rely on other clubs to do United's dirty work for them.

The Red Devils have not shown their trademark spunk and charisma when it comes to seeing out a season successfully—and this year that could really cost them.

As for Newcastle, well they are very much still in the hunt for a Champions League slot.

Ironically, if Chelsea manage to topple Bayern Munich at their own Allianz Arena in the Champions League final, then the fourth place in the Premier League will no longer be awarded a berth into that competition, but rather into the Europa League.

This would be a devilishly cruel outcome for the Magpies, who have put their heart and soul into this season.

I guess the only way to ensure that that won't happen to them is to try and finish third, and to do that they will have to beat Manchester City.

So can Newcastle beat the league leaders? Yes. In fact I would consider it somewhat of a disappointment if City manage to take home all three points. 

Alan Pardew's men have been phenomenal at home all season and will not be wanting to lose at this stage.

The title race may not be over yet.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1170720-manchester-united-can-newcastle-help-united-by-beating-city-next-week

Justin Falk Robbie Eal Joe Callahan Bryan Allen Mark Cullen Baltimore Orioles

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