Blackpool vs. Newcastle United: Report and Post-Match Reaction

Newcastle United grabbed their second win of their preseason campaign with a 1-0 victory over Blackpool on Sunday afternoon.

A solitary strike from Shola Ameobi was enough to see Alan Pardew’s side triumph in front of almost 2,500 travelling supporters inside Bloomfield Road.

Good early pressure saw the Magpies make the perfect start after five minutes, when Ameobi grabbed his third goal in as many games to give the visitors the lead.

The centre-forward got on the end of a Yohan Cabaye corner, and after a headed exchange with Mike Williamson, Ameobi steadied himself before flicking the ball past Matt Gilks from close range.

The influential Cabaye almost turned from provider to goalscorer on 18 minutes, but saw his curling free-kick sail just over the bar after Kirk Broadfoot had fouled Moussa Sissoko outside the box.

The home side almost levelled things just before the half-hour mark through Craig Cathcart’s header, but the Northern Irishman was denied by a brilliant reaction save by Rob Elliot.

At the other end, United were unfortunate not to double their lead when Sylvain Marveaux saw his goal-bound shot blocked by Broadfoot on the edge of the six-yard box after good work from Davide Santon.

And the impressive Santon almost handed Ameobi his second of the game six minutes later, but the Italian international’s left-wing cross was stabbed over by the striker.

Some neat build-up play saw the ball in the back of the Blackpool net once more just before the break, but Sissoko’s effort was ruled out thanks to an offside flag that nullified a clever back heel from Yoan Gouffran.

Goalscorer Ameobi made way for Haris Vuckic at half-time, but it was the home side who made a promising start to the second period, testing Elliot with a deep cross from the left before Tom Ince fired a shot straight at the United keeper.  

Ince then tried an ambitious effort from all of 50-yards out after dispossessing Cabaye, but Elliot had it covered once more and watched the ball fly narrowly over the crossbar.

Former Newcastle forward Michael Chopra had a chance to get one over his old side in the 59th minute, but his run towards goal was halted by Steven Taylor after Sissoko had lost the ball.

And just moments after Toon substitute Paul Dummett had replaced Santon, it was Blackpool’s turn to have a goal ruled out when a Chopra header was flagged offside to deny the striker on his debut.

Sammy Ameobi came on for Cabaye with a just over quarter-of-an-hour remaining, but it was the impressive Ince who continued to try his luck, dragging a shot across the face of United’s goal and beyond the right-hand post.

Further Magpies substitutions saw Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa replace Mike Williamson with nine minutes left, while young forward Adam Campbell came off the bench for Gouffran for the closing stages.

The Seasiders’ Nathan Eccleston should have levelled the scores soon after, spurning a good opportunity for the home side from point-blank range with a shot that flew over the bar.

Marveaux almost wrapped things up for the visitors in the last minute after a clever ball from Campbell, and in the end, Ameobi’s early goal was enough to earn Newcastle the win.