Match analysis - Kluivert contribution vital

A lot to prove before possible recall

The withdrawal of Shola Ameobi paved the way for a Shearer-Kluivert partnership and the Dutchman’s performance subsequently improved.

If some thought that the game on his home soil was somewhat of a trial, then Kluivert presented exhibit A and B in the form of two assists that ultimately won the game for Newcastle. First slotting a pass through for Shearer to finish, and then following good work earlier in the attack, he had the final flick before Bowyer instinctively converted.

Graeme Souness would no doubt have noted our change in fortune following the introduction of Robert and Kluivert’s switch to a more advanced role.

Kluivert’s double contribution helped to arrest a slide that was threatening to curtail our Uefa aspirations. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar had earlier fired the Dutch side into a first half lead.

Titus Bramble marred what was an otherwise good game with an error that led to Huntelaar’s strike. Andy O’Brien has received some positive reviews in some quarters, but it is becoming increasingly worrying just how much of the defensive responsibilities are undertaken by Titus Bramble whilst O’Brien hides on the periphery of the action. Bramble executes more tackles, wins more headers, completes more interceptions and distributes more forward passes. It is surprising just how well Bramble has managed to perform of late whilst partnered with O’Brien. The ex-Ipswich stopper must be hoping that Jean-Alain Boumsong makes a return to the starting eleven on Sunday in a bid to offer some extra assistance in combating the threat of Chelsea’s forward line.

The Chelsea game presents Alan Shearer with the other half of his remaining silverware ambitions. With our passage to the next phase of the Uefa Cup looking likely, our FA Cup aspirations have today been boosted by quotes attributed to Jose Mourinho stating that Chelsea will not respect the FA Cup and will in fact field a second team.

If our first half performance last night was an indicator of what could be to come on Sunday then even a Chelsea second string would win comfortably. We were, for risk of using the same words after every game we play, unimaginative, narrow, sloppy, without passion and predictable. Predictably the four previous adjectives that is.

Having witnessed the over complicated and arduous approach of many of our attacking moves in recent weeks, the final thirty minutes presented some hope that somewhere in our locker is indeed the ability to pass to one another and move up the field at pace utilising the space that an area of green traditionally 115 x 80 yards has to offer– the principles of football upon closer examination are rather basic. When we adhere to these simple principles we often appear threatening.

Chelsea Reserves be warned – we can attack and we can score goals!