*Back after a month long hiatus getting everything ready in preparation for my Mrs giving birth to our first born, finished up the season though, so will give the last few month by month updates to the year in the next day or so!*
Newcastle United 2015/16 Season: February 2016
Currently 2nd in the league and still in the Europa League and FA Cup, we push on trying to claim all three in what would go down as a historic season!
(FAC R4 R H) 2-0 win v Cardiff City (Cabella 8', Hernandez 67')
Finally into the 5th Round of the FA Cup after a rather easy replay in which we knocked the wind out of Cardiff early on with a 30 yard free kick from Cabella. The win was wrapped up midway through the second half as Hernandez chipped the ball over David Marshall. The only downside was seeing Paulo Dybala come off with a calf injury early in the game, he'll be out for 6 weeks.
The 5th Round draw gave us a home tie v Arsenal which shall be a tough fixture in our busy season.
24. (A) 3-2 loss v Liverpool (Hernandez 14', Montero 25') (Balotelli 45+1', Moreno 57', Lucas 90+4')
A heartbreaking defeat, which we should have avoided, 2-0 up after 25 minutes, we were coasting. Balotelli gave Liverpool a glimmer going into half time and in the second half, they were rejuvenated, firing on all cylinders, Moreno equalising with a header. Moreno then played provider, crossing in for Lucas Leiva to tap in with the last touch of the game.
25. (H) 1-1 draw v West Brom (Cabella 84') (Dorrans 19')
Another frustrating game for us here, West Brom scoring within 20 minutes and then defending for the rest of the game, content with their 1-0 lead. We pressed constantly, trying to force a way through. West Brom finally made an error, tripping Montero on the edge of the box, allowing Cabella to dispatch a picture perfect free kick. But we could only manage a draw in a game which we really should've been looking to win comfortably.
26. (H) 3-0 win v Swansea City (Hernandez 9', 45+1', Carvalho 40') (Bony missed pen 53', missed pen 65', Taylor s/o 89')
Crazy game at SJP which saw us race into a 3-0 lead by half time, Hernandez getting two goals both on the counter, either side of Carvalho scoring with a sublime low shot after a perfect through ball from our talisman Cabella. The second half was all Swansea, peppering the goal with shots but Krul was in inspiring form on the day. Saving not one, but two penalties from Wilfried Bony. The miserable day for Swansea was worsened when Neil Taylor was sent off for bringing down Hernandez as he looked to get a hat trick.
(EL R of 32 1st leg A) 2-0 win v Besiktas JK (Cabella 35', 43')
Very pleased with a well fought win here in a hostile atmosphere. Cabella once again was the star of the show, with two goals for us, both headers from corners. Former Magpie Demba Ba almost scored before half time, his first time shot cannoned off the post. The second half saw us defend as the home side pushed on at us. Krul saved our skin many times denying Ba and Ozyakup after some fine play between them. We almost took a 3 goal advantage back to SJP but Hernandez fluffed his shot and put it slightly wide of the goal.
(FAC R5 H) 2-1 loss v Arsenal (Hernandez 25') (Diaby 73', Welbeck 90+5')
Our defence of the FA Cup ended today after a last gasp defeat to the Gunners in a game we dominated throughout. Hernandez chipped over Ospina to give us a lead. We should have made it 2-0 shortly after, but Montero missed an open goal from 3 yards out, astounding everyone in the ground. Arsenal had their first real attack in the second half, Krul denying Giroud from close range, but could only parry the ball out 20 yards to the on-rushing Diaby who smashed in a volley, tying the game. Arsenal sensed they could get a winner so sent on Danny Welbeck to use his pace against us and it paid off. My tired defence lapsed in concentration, allowing Welbeck in to fire from close range in the last seconds of injury time, sending us crashing out of the cup.
(EL R of 32 2nd leg H) 1-0 win v Besiktas JK (Aubameyang (p) 11')
We safely got through to the last 16 of the Europa League, an early penalty giving us a 3 goal berth which never looked like being threatened. A downside from this game was seeing my back up striker Hernandez get injured, so Papiss Cisse came on and looks set for a run of games in the starting XI as Hernandez will miss the next 3 weeks.
The last 16 draw gave us Real Sociedad of Spain, the 1st leg being played away.
27. (A) 1-0 loss v Manchester City (Fernandinho 57')
We dropped down to third in the table after this loss to Man City, who now go second. We hit the post twice in the game and should've scored late on, Cisse missing a glorious chance to head in, instead opting for a bicycle kick which he missed completely. Fernandinho gave City the points after tapping in from a yard out after Krul spilled a Toure shot.
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