Cardiff City vs. Newcastle United: 6 Things We Learned
Newcastle United registered their second away win of the season on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over Cardiff City in South Wales.
First-half goals from on-loan forward Loic Remy were enough to earn the Magpies all three points, but they were made to work for their success after Peter Odemwingie pulled one back for the home side.
The result pushed Alan Pardew’s side up to 10th in the Premier League table and followed successive defeats at the hands of Everton and Hull City.
And after the Toon’s third triumph of the 2013-14 campaign, we take a look at six things that came to light in the Welsh Capital.
Yohan Cabaye Is in Irresistible Form
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After breathing life into a beleaguered Newcastle United with a wonder goal at Everton on Monday, Yohan Cabaye, once again, proved his worth to the Magpies’ cause with a man-of-the-match display against Cardiff City.
His vision from the middle of the park troubled the home side time and again in the first half, and the Frenchman was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself.
Cabaye saw an ambitious free kick from distance bounce off the woodwork before the break, while his curling effort just after the re-start produced a smart stop from City keeper David Marshall.
In an interview last month, per a report by Massimo Marioni with Metro, the 27-year-old was described as a player who “carries the heartbeat and the rhythm of the team” by manager Alan Pardew. On this evidence, it’s hard to disagree.
Alan Pardew’s Defensive Change Worked
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Mike Williamson’s introduction at the break against Everton on Monday had a calming effect on Newcastle United’s back four after a first-half horror show.
And the big centre-half’s inclusion at Cardiff City added some much-needed steel to the heart of the Magpies’ defence alongside Fabricio Coloccini.
Despite taking his eye off the ball in the buildup to the home side’s goal, Williamson produced a no-nonsense display and nullified the likes of Fraizer Campbell and Peter Odemwingie for long spells.
The 29-year-old deserved a starting role after his impact at Goodison Park, and Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa must now be wondering how he can win his place back.
Loic Remy Must Be Signed on a Permanent Basis
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Loic Remy’s importance to Newcastle United was underlined, once more, against Cardiff City, with the Frenchman netting both goals in a dominant first-half display.
Remy, who is currently on loan from Championship side Queens Park Rangers, was the club’s only arrival this summer, but has scored five goals in his last three appearances for the Magpies.
On this evidence, owner Mike Ashley and director of football Joe Kinnear must do everything in their power to turn the move into a permanent one once the transfer window opens in January.
With their No. 9 Papiss Cisse without a goal in the league this term, Remy’s significance grows greater by the game, and signing the former Marseille man must be top of the club’s priorities.
Hatem Ben Arfa Is Not the Be All and End All
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After being substituted at half-time in the defeat at Everton, Hatem Ben Arfa was named as a substitute for the trip to Cardiff City, and it's fair to say, he wasn’t missed.
With Yoan Gouffran and Loic Remy providing support to Papiss Cisse in attack and Yohan Cabaye pulling the strings from midfield, Newcastle United created a host of chances.
And by the time Ben Arfa was introduced in the 86th minute, the Magpies had registered 20 attempts at goal, with half of them on target.
There’s no denying the Frenchman is a real handful when he’s on top of his game, but as his team showed on Saturday, he is not the only match-winner in Alan Pardew’s squad.
Newcastle United Should Come with a Health Warning
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Despite dominating the game against Cardiff City for long spells, Newcastle United fans were still left biting their nails, as the clock ticked down and their side hung on.
Peter Odemwingie’s goal just before the hour mark gave the Welshmen belief, and despite their superiority, the Magpies failed to kill the game off as good chances for Moussa Sissoko and Jonas Gutierrez came and went.
In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Toon boss Alan Pardew suggested his side should come with a health warning after failing to put the game to bed.
And the former Southampton manager must be hoping his players can produce a 90-minute performance sooner rather than later.
The Toon Must Not Become a Jekyll-and-Hyde Outfit
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In the first half at the Cardiff City Stadium, there was only one team in the game, with Newcastle United producing a commanding display full of invention and accuracy.
Their 2-0 lead at half-time was fully deserved, but when the home side pulled a goal back, a sense of trepidation crept in that threatened to undo all of their hard work.
The reverse was on show against Everton at Goodison Park five days ago, where a horrendous opening 45 minutes from the Magpies was rectified with a much-improved performance after the break.
With an international break coming up, Alan Pardew and his coaching staff will, no doubt, be working hard to try and find the consistency that would prevent his side from becoming known as a Jekyll-and-Hyde outfit.
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