Remy sinks Bluebirds! Cardiff 1-2 Newcastle
Remy celebrates Loic Remy struck twice in eight first-half minutes to give United a well deserved victory at Cardiff City yesterday afternoon.
The away side dominated the first period and should have been more than two goals ahead at half-time but a consolation goal from Peter Odemwingie ensured a nervy finish for the Magpies.
Anything less than three points though would have been harsh on Alan Pardew's side though and they fully deserved their win. It was one of the best performances I've seen from a United side for some time, especially in that first-half, and Cardiff just didn't have an answer for us as we blew them away with attacking intent.
However it was the home side who produced the first chance as Fraizer Campbell got to a long ball before goalkeeper Tim Krul and rounded the keeper only to lose his footing just as he was about to shoot.
From then on though it was all United and David Marshall in the Cardiff goal had to be in hand to deny Loic Remy an opener before defender Andrew Taylor managed to get himself in front of Papiss Cisse's effort on the rebound. Moments later it was Moussa Sissoko who stung the palms of Marshall with a fierce drive from the edge of the area.
The away side were looking dangerous and once again should have taken the lead after Mathieu Debuchy set up Remy 26 minutes only for the former QPR man to shoot tamely into the arms of Marshall, but just four minutes later Remy wasn't to be denied as he ran the ball from inside the Newcastle half, cut in onto his right foot and fired low past Marshall into the bottom left corner of the net.
Just eight minutes later and it was 2-0. Yohan Cabaye fed Papiss Cisse who saw his attempt at goal blocked by Marshall only for the rebound to fall to Remy who calmly rolled the ball home from outside the box.
It could have been three moment later as Yohan Cabaye lined up a free kick which looked as though would end up as a cross only to fool everyone and thump an effort off the post which would have left Marshall with no chance had it been a few centimetres to the left. A good half but United had to settle for two at the interval.
Half-time: Cardiff 0-2 Newcastle
Cardiff came back into the game in the second half however and soon reduced the deficit when substitute Jordan Mutch fed Odemwingie inside the box with a clever pass and the striker took the ball round Krul before firing into the net. A couple of minutes later and the home side could have been level as Frazier Campbell shot across the face of goal with Aron Gunnarsson unable to get on the end of it.
But United were still dangerous and could have added a third on the break as Loic Remy played the ball through for Moussa Sissoko who shot straight at David Marshall.
Loic Remy was replaced by Jonas Gutierrez much to the dismay of the away fans but with treatment given to the Frenchman it was soon apparent that the change was forced more than anything. However the Argentine should have added another goal soon after his introduction but his free header went over the crossbar.
Papiss Cisse was denied by Marshall late on and United had strong claims for a penalty waved away after the ball struck Andrew Taylor's hand but in the end the damage was done in the first half and it's three points on the board for United who now move into the top ten.
Howay the lads!
Cardiff: David Marshall; Andrew Taylor, Steven Caulker, Ben Turner, Kevin Theophile-Catherine; Gary Medel, Peter Whittingham, Kim Bo-Kyung, Aron Gunnarsson, Peter Odemwingie; Fraizer Campbell
Subs: Joe Lewis; Mark Hudson, Craig Noone, Jordon Mutch, Don Cowie, Nicky Maynard, Craig Bellamy
Newcastle: Tim Krul; Mathieu Debuchy, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon; Yohan Cabaye, Cheik Tiote, Moussa Sissoko; Yoan Gouffran, Papiss Cissé, Loic Remy
Subs: Rob Elliot, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Paul Dummett, Vurnon Anita, Jonas Gutierrez, Hatem Ben Arfa, Sammy Ameobi
Attendance: 27,538
