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NUFC 1981/82 - Season Matches




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HOT SHOT CYRILLE ON THE MARK - First Division West Brom are too good for United, but they do make a game of it. Arthur Cox says, "We more than held our own and from the pattern of play caused a very experienced side a lot of problems."

West Brom - SJP - 6,843

Carr, Brownlie, Davies (Johnson), Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Walker, Harford, Shoulder (Shinton), Wharton, Waddle, (Johnson, Shinton, Martin)

Scorers: Regis, Cross

04m - REGIS back header from inswinging corner (0-1).

Half-time: Newcastle 0 West Brom 1

90m - An astute chip from CROSS (0-2).

Full-time: Newcastle 0 West Brom 2

HONOURS EVEN - Less than 10,000 turn up for an all-ticket derby. There is no shortage of effort and thrills, but there is not much quality.

Sunderland - SJP - 9,982

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Walker, Shoulder Shinton, Wharton, Waddle, (Martin, Haddock, Todd)

Scorers: Shinton - Ritchie

31m - A spectacular header from SHINTON following a short-corner (1-0).

40m - Pickering sets up RITCHIE (1-1).

Half-time: Newcastle 1 Sunderland 1

Full-time: Newcastle 1 Sunderland 1

HAWLEY’S A MEAN MACHINE - Scores of fans are arrested.

Sunderland - Roker Park - 9,982

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Walker, Shinton, Shoulder, Wharton, Waddle, (Haddock, Todd)

Scorers: Shinton - Ritchie

19m - HAWLEY header (0-1).

SHOULDER (1-1).

ALLARDYCE header (1-2).

Half-time: Sunderland 2 Newcastle 1 tbc

Full-time: Sunderland 2 Newcastle 1

COX CAN CONVERT THEM - United adopt the style they have been playing in pre-season with Waddle and Walker playing as wide-men and patient build-up from the back. The Gallowgate faithful may take some convincing; there are groans every time ‘keeper Carr rolls the ball out and after the Hornets take the lead there are boos and chants of “what a load of rubbish”. Cox admits that the players “lacked discretion” and need to find a “happy medium”.

Watford - SJP - 19,376

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday (Martin), Walker, Shoulder, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Callaghan

24m - A sublime volley from CALLAGHAN (0-1)

Half-time: Newcastle 0 Watford 1

Blissett is sent-off

Full-time: Newcastle 0 Watford 1

Position: 17th

CONFIDENCE DROUGHT - Cox admits that his side lacks experience and this is impacting the confidence of the younger players. But despite going straight to the bottom of the table he is not concerned: "The only complaint I have is about our finishing. If our finishing had been as clinical as Rangers we would have won the game."

QPR (6th) - Loftus Road - 14,176

Carr, Haddock, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Walker, Shoulder, Varadi, Wharton (Martin), Waddle

Scorers: King, Roeder, Stainrod

Peter Haddock makes his League debut due to Brownlie getting blood poisoning in his leg.

21m - KING (0-1)

Half-time: QPR 1 Newcastle 0

64m - ROEDER (0-2)

75m - STAINROD (0-3)

Full-time: QPR 3 Newcastle 0

Position: 22nd

SAVED FROM THE HANGING JUDGES - chants of “sack the board” reverberate around St James’ as a nervous United struggle both upfront and in defence against the visitor’s aerial assaults. “The frustration and hostility of the crowd was understandable” accepts Cox, “If I had been in the crowd I would have probably reacted in the same way.”

Cambridge (10th) - SJP - 14,679

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Walker, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Trewick

Half-time: Newcastle 0 Cambridge 0

58m - Good play from Walker enables Varadi to set up TREWICK (1-0)

Full-time: Newcastle 1 Cambridge 0

Position: 19th

GUTS, BAD LUCK AND NO EXCUSES - A blood and thunder end-to-end match in which United’s poor finishing renders them pointless. Chris Waddle nets the Clubs 5,000th League goal and only United's second away from Tyneside in 1981. Barton injures his foot and could be out for a couple of months.

Norwich (7th) - Carrow Road - 14,384

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton (Carney), Halliday, Walker, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Waddle - Watson, Jack

12m - WADDLE (1-0).

18m - WATSON (1-1).

Half-time: Norwich 1 Newcastle 1

51m - Carney concedes a penalty but McGuire shoots against an upright.

80m - JACK (1-2).

Full-time: Norwich 2 Newcastle 1

Position: 19th

SUPER VARADI IS UNITED HERO - Despite the blustery conditions, there are some glimpses of rhythm and form starting to develop. Their football is often crisp and fluid. Imre Varadi puts on a super show, but is carried off with a twisted ankle just before the end. Mystery surrounded the player on the cover of the programme, with nobody at the club seeming too sure who it is.

Shrewsbury (13th) - SJP - 13,783

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Shinton, Martin, Varadi (Shoulder), Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Wharton, Shinton

Shinton replaces the dropped Walker.

42m - WHARTON (1-0).

Half-time: Newcastle 1 Shrewsbury 0

59m - SHINTON (2-0).

Full-time: Newcastle 2 Shrewsbury 0

Position: 18th

CARR MAKES A SPLASH - Torrential rain hits the attendance and makes for difficult playing conditions in what is a laboured performance. John Trewick scores and has his best match to date, but it is ‘keeper Carr who is the star player with a number of crucial saves.

Orient (20th) - SJP - 13,737

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Shinton, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Trewick

Half-time: Newcastle 0 Orient 0

59m - TREWICK (1-0)

Full-time: Newcastle 1 Orient 0

Position: 16th

CRYING IN THE RAIN - UNITED! - In monsoon conditions the Magpies once again spurn numerous chances against the bottom-placed Trotters. Cox says, "We have only ourselves to blame. What else can we do but keep attacking."

Bolton (22nd) - Burnden Park - 6,429

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Shinton, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Thompson

14m - THOMPSON (0-1)

Half-time: Bolton 1 Newcastle 0

Full-time: Bolton 1 Newcastle 0

Position: 16th

IT’S HOP SKIP AND TRUMPS - Imre Varadi hits a hat-trick as United finally get it right and record their first ever win at Ninian Park. The Bluebirds are poor and United’s dominance is reflected in the score line.

Cardiff (17th) - Ninian Park - 5,764

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Shinton, Martin, Varadi, Wharton (Haddock), Waddle

Scorers: Varadi (3), Davies (pen)

08m - VARADI (1-0)

DAVIES penalty (2-0)

Half-time: Cardiff 0 Newcastle 2

56m - VARADI (3-0)

VARADI (4-0)

Full-time: Cardiff 0 Newcastle 4

Position: 10th

MAC THE KNIFE CUTS UP UNITED - The Magpies cannot cope with the lightning breakaways of Malcolm Macdonald’s Third Division side. The Cottagers score twice in 11 minutes just after the break and are well worth their win despite a late onslaught from United. Mac says he knew they would win and boasts that when comparing the teams he “would not swap any of my lads for a Newcastle player”; a quote which is not well received by the United players.

Fulham (D3: 9th) - SJP - 20,247

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Shinton, Martin, Varadi, Wharton (Shoulder), Waddle

Scorers: Barton - Wilson, Coney

Half-time: Newcastle 0 Fulham 0

47m - WILSON (0-1)

58m - CONEY (0-2)

77m - BARTON (1-2)

Full-time: Newcastle 1 Fulham 2

CHRIS HAS THE BIG-TIME TASTE - Although Varadi gets the goals it is Waddle who really torments a very poor Derby side.

Derby (17th) - SJP - 17,224

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Shinton, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle (Todd)

Scorers: Varadi (2), Wharton

06m - VARADI (1-0)

33m - VARADI (2-0)

Half-time: Newcastle 2 Derby 0

WHARTON (3-0)

Full-time: Newcastle 3 Derby 0

Position: 6th

HUNTER’S PRIZE - The Magpies are completely overpowered in a fast and furious first-half and although they improve after the break they do not take the chances created. Almost 6,000 United supporters travel to Yorkshire and many cause significant trouble before, during and after the match. A Newcastle fan is also injured when a train window is smashed as one of the special trains departs. The United team bus is attacked with a window being smashed, luckily no-one is hurt. Some of the players and director McKeag chase the youngsters who threw the bottles, but they get away.

Barnsley (16th) - Oakwell - 18,477

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Shinton, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Aylott

11m - AYLOTT (0-1).

Half-time: Barnsley 1 Newcastle 0

Full-time: Barnsley 1 Newcastle 0

Position: 11th

UNITED LUCKY NUMBERS - The Magpies are extremely fortunate to escape defeat following a disjointed and aimless display. Carr has to be at his best and United need a late equaliser to grab a point. Newcastle even make a mess of the substitution when they want to replace Wharton with Shoulder, but don’t have the necessary number boards to hand.

Rotherham (18th) - SJP - 19,052

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Shinton, Martin, Varadi, Wharton (Shoulder), Waddle

Scorers: Shinton - Gooding

Half-time: Newcastle 0 Rotherham 0

71m - GOODING (0-1)

84m - SHINTON (1-1)

Full-time: Newcastle 1 Rotherham 1

Position: 10th

NEWCASTLE FAIL TO LAY CUP GHOST - An awful performance sees United crash out to lower league opposition for the ninth time since the competition started twenty years ago

Fulham (D3: 6th) - Craven Cottage - 7,210

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Trewick, Barton, Halliday (Shoulder), Shinton, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Lewington (pen), Coney

24m - LEWINGTON penalty (1-0)

Half-time: Fulham 1 Newcastle 0

74m - CONEY (2-0)

Full-time: Fulham 2 Newcastle 0

BLACK AND WHITE TRAGIC - A Halloween horror show from the Magpies for whom defensive lapses contributed to all three of Oldham’s goals. Cox says “We fail to dominate in either penalty area, that’s our problem”. Cox has previously stated that he did not want to use the loan system, but the financial stranglehold on the club is likely to force his hand.

Oldham (5th) - Boundary Park - 9,010

Carr, Brownlie, Davies (Haddock), Trewick, Barton, Carney, Shinton, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Davies - Wylde, Heaton, Steel

Barton replaces the dropped Halliday.

11m - WYLDE (0-1)

16m - STEEL (0-2)

31m - DAVIES (1-2)

38m - HEATON (1-3)

Half-time: Oldham 3 Newcastle 1

Full-time: Oldham 3 Newcastle 1

Position: 13th

MISSING - UNITED’S DEFENCE! - The Magpies inexperienced defence is all over the place for the first hour and only a great performance from Carr keeps the score down. Varadi suffers an ankle injury just before the half-hour mark.

Chelsea (11th) - Stamford Bridge - 16,509

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Walker, Carney, Haddock, Brown, Martin, Varadi (Pugh), Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Waddle - Lee, Fillery

Wes Saunders (18) makes his debut in place of the injured Davies and Walker comes back for the sidelined Trewick. Shinton makes way for Brown.

05m - LEE (0-1)

16m - FILLERY (0-2)

Half-time: Chelsea 2 Newcastle 0

66m - WADDLE (1-0).

Full-time: Chelsea 2 Newcastle 1

Position: 14th

JUST LIKE OLD TIMES - The Gallowgate crowd call for United to sign on Alan Brown permanently as he transforms United attack and dovetails brilliantly with Varadi.

Charlton (11th) - SJP - 15,254

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Brown, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Varadi (2), Wharton, Brown - Madden (pen)

37m - WHARTON (1-0)

41m - MADDEN penalty following Saunders foul (0-1)

45m - McAllister sent-off.

Half-time: Newcastle 1 Charlton 1

56m - BROWN (2-1)

64m - VARADI (3-1)

81m - VARADI scores one of the most thrilling goals seen on Tyneside in recent times as he slots home after a brilliant sixty-yard run (4-1)

Full-time: Newcastle 4 Charlton 1

Position: 12th

LAST WORD FROM IMRE - Varadi sets up two and scores once in a brilliant performance against the League leaders. Brown scores twice in the first half, but two goals in the last ten minutes seem to have saved a point for the Hatters; only for Varadi to score a winner. It is a fine team performance led by some excellent intuitive attacking play from United’s twin strike force.

Luton (1st) - SJP - 21,084

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Brown (Shoulder), Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Brown (2), Varadi - Moss (pen), Donaghy

01m - BROWN (1-0)

37m - BROWN (2-0)

Half-time: Newcastle 2 Luton 0

83m - MOSS penalty (2-1)

88m - DONAGHY (2-2)

89m - VARADI (3-2)

Full-time: Newcastle 3 Luton 2

Position: 8th

NO WAY ROUND THE LONDON JINX - Having beaten the leaders three days ago the Magpies woeful away form continues with a defeat against the bottom club. With Brown injured, United lack bite upfront.

Orient (22nd) - Brisbane Road - 4,026

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Shoulder, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Margerrison

Half-time: Orient 0 Newcastle 0

79m - MARGERRISON (0-1)

Full-time: Orient 1 Newcastle 0

Position: 8th

DON’T CHEAT - COX - A fighting, entertaining performance from United in a thrilling end-to-end game. Despite this, Cox is as blunt as ever; “if you don’t play the game to create excitement, then you are cheating”.

Grimsby (19th) - Blundell Park - 9,256

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Brown, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Wharton - Mitchell

08m - WHARTON (1-0)

18m - MITCHELL (1-1)

Half-time: Grimsby 1 Newcastle 1

Full-time: Grimsby 1 Newcastle 1

Position: 10th

CLOSING DOWN TALE - There is precious little entertainment on show as the Lancastrians put up the shutters. Newcastle lack the guile to break them down although Trewick twice fails to capitalise on decent opportunities. At the final whistle Rovers physiotherapist Tony Long throws his sponge bag in the air in “delight” wetting some United supporters. A complaint is made to the police who interview him.

Blackburn (7th) - SJP - 18,775

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Brown (Shoulder), Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: None

Half-time: Newcastle 0 Blackburn 0

Full-time: Newcastle 0 Blackburn 0

Position: 10th

CUP NIGHTMARE HAUNTS UNITED - A nervy and rusty performance with the Magpies struggling to deal with the Fourth Division leaders’ quick breaks. Varadi puts United in front, but Colchester deservedly equalise seven minutes from time.

Colchester (D4 : 1st) - SJP - 16,977

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick (Todd), Carney, Haddock, Shoulder, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Varadi - Wignall

31m - VARADI

Half-time: Newcastle 1 Colchester 0

83m - WIGNALL

Full-time: Newcastle 1 Colchester 1

PINBALL WIZARD KEV - After surrendering their half-time lead following incessant pressure in which the ball pinged around their area the Magpies score twice in the last six minutes; Carr’s bravery and lightning reflexes keeping them in the game prior to that.

Watford (6th) - Vicarage Road - 12,333

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Todd, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Todd (2), Varadi - Jenkins, Terry

TODD (1-0)

Half-time: Watford 0 Newcastle 1

74m - JENKINS crashes in a header (1-1)

81m - A header from TERRY (1-2)

84m - TODD nudges Wharton’s overhead kick home (2-2)

89m - VARADI’s angled drive crashes in off Bolton (3-2)

Full-time: Watford 2 Newcastle 3

Position: 10th

UNITED PULL BACK FROM THE BRINK - United dominate the first half, but having taken a two-goal lead they proceed to throw it away and the tie goes into extra-time. The Magpies score twice more before Colchester narrow the deficit a couple of minutes from time to set the nerves jangling again. Both United full-backs score their first goal for the club.

Colchester (D4 : 2nd) - Layer Road - 7,505

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Todd, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Waddle, Varadi, Saunders, Brownlie - Allinson (2p), Cook

12m - WADDLE (1-0)

43m - SAUNDERS (2-0)

45m - COOK (2-1)

Half-time: Colchester 1 Newcastle 2

68m - ALLINSON penalty (2-2)

Full-time: Colchester 2 Newcastle 2

94m - BROWNLIE (3-2)

VARADI (4-2)

118m - ALLINSON (4-3)

Extra-time: Colchester 3 Newcastle 4

THE NAKED TRUTH - A streaker makes an entrance before the game and United’s weaknesses are also laid bare. A home tie against the division’s worst club attracts a decent attendance, inevitably the team produces a woeful performance against a very mediocre side.

Grimsby (D2: 22nd) - SJP - 25,632

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick (Shinton 75), Carney, Haddock, Todd, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Crosby og - Kilmore, Drinkell

Half-time: Newcastle 0 Grimsby 0

61m - KILMORE (0-1).

DRINKELL (0-2).

CROSBY own goal (1-2).

Full-time: Newcastle 1 Grimsby 2

UNITED FIND MILLS A BOON - On a blustery, windswept day United lack composure in the first-half and the crowd are becoming terribly disenchanted. Mick Martin is getting it in the neck more than most. Playing into the wind after the break the Magpies are a more assured side and with Mills having an excellent debut they pull through.

Norwich (10th) - SJP - 14,447

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Mills, Varadi - Downs

Half-time: Newcastle 0 Norwich 0

50m - MILLS (1-0).

58m - DOWNS (1-1).

72m - VARADI (2-1).

Full-time: Newcastle 2 Norwich 1

Position: 10th

UNITED MAKE ROOM AT THE TOP - In the first twelve minutes Trewick scores from the spot and struggling Bolton have a man sent-off. It should have been easy from then, but once again the Magpies flatter to deceive and fail to make their advantage count. It is not until the 81st minute that Wharton scores the second.

Bolton (20th) - SJP - 14,361

Carr, Carney, Saunders, Trewick, Barton, Haddock, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Wharton, Trewick (p)

Barton comes in for Brownlie (suspended).

09m - TREWICK penalty (1-0).

12m - Centre-half Mike Doyle is sent-off after clashing with Varadi.

Half-time: Newcastle 1 Bolton 0

81m - WHARTON (2-0).

Full-time: Newcastle 2 Bolton 0

Position: 9th

JUST A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY - Newcastle’s woeful away form continues against relegation-battlers Cambridge in front of a pitiful crowd. More fans saw Hartlepool play today.

Cambridge (17th) - Abbey Stadium - 5,092

Carr, Carney, Saunders, Trewick (Shinton), Barton, Haddock, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Spriggs

43m - SPRIGGS (0-1).

Half-time: Cambridge 1 Newcastle 0

Full-time: Cambridge 1 Newcastle 0

Position: 10th

COX: WE'VE GOT TO FIND THE KILLER TOUCH - United tear the shockingly bad Welshmen to bits, but still only scrape home because of the reluctance of players to take responsibility and have a shot at goal.

Cardiff (20th) - SJP - 15,129

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Barton, Haddock, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Trewick, Varadi - Stevens

07m - TREWICK (1-0).

36m - VARADI (2-0).

Half-time: Newcastle 2 Cardiff 0

51m - STEVENS (2-1).

Full-time: Newcastle 2 Cardiff 1

Position: 8th

IF ONLY WE COULD PUT THEM AWAY - Cox had promised an enterprising and exciting performance, but in the first-half United give an awful, shapeless display. And although United are far better after the interval they are guilty of numerous bad misses.

Shrewsbury (18th) - Gay Meadow - 4,636

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Mills, Martin (Cartwright), Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Half-time: Shrewsbury 0 Newcastle 0

Full-time: Shrewsbury 0 Newcastle 0

Position: 11th

THAT MAN IMRE DOES IT AGAIN - Varadi scores the only goal to take United two-points behind promotion-chasing Wednesday.

Sheff Wed (6th) SJP - 19,174

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Mills, Cartwright, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Varadi

43m - VARADI (1-0).

Half-time: Newcastle 1 Sheff Wed 0

Full-time: Newcastle 1 Sheff Wed 0

Position: 8th

VARADI’S GEM ADDS SPARKLE TO UNITED - Newcastle are guilty of coasting before the break but come back twice to grab a point with an enterprising second-half display.

Derby (16th) - Baseball Ground - 12,257

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Mills, Cartwright, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Varadi, Waddle. - Emson, Wilson

40m - EMSON (0-1).

Half-time: Derby 1 Newcastle 0

56m - VARADI (1-1).

WILSON (1-2).

69m - WADDLE (2-2).

Full-time: Derby 2 Newcastle 2

Position: 9th

UNITED BROUGHT DOWN TO EARTH - The hard-running Foxes are well worth their win as United lack composure up front.

Leicester (13th) - Filbert Street - 12,497

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Mills, Cartwright, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle

Scorers: Lineker (2), Young

40m - YOUNG (0-1).

45m - LINEKER (0-2).

Half-time: Leicester 2 Newcastle 0

77m - LINEKER (0-3).

Full-time: Leicester 3 Newcastle 0

Position: 10th

Soon after Varadi gives United an early lead Mills suffers a bad head injury following a challenge from Mick McCarthy. His intelligent play is missed and they cannot add to their tally.

Barnsley (10th) - SJP - 18,784

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Mills (Shoulder 17), Martin, Varadi, Cartwright, Waddle

Scorers: Varadi

13m - Varadi (1-0).

Half-time: Newcastle 1 Barnsley 0

Full-time: Newcastle 1 Barnsley 0

Position: 8th

HARD-LINER COX IS STILL NOT TOTALLY SATISFIED - Rotherham have won their last nine games and Cox calls for the players to respond to the challenge and show that they share his ambitious vision for the future. It is the Magpies best defensive display this season and includes an excellent last-minute penalty save from Carr. However Cox thought they should have taken advantage of the period when they were on top and won.

Rotherham (3rd) - Millmoor - 16,905

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Cartwright, Waddle

Half-time: Rotherham 0 Newcastle 0

90m - Carr brilliantly saves Towney’s penalty.

Full-time: Rotherham 0 Newcastle 0

Position: 8th

BRILLIANT CARR IN TOP GEAR - Although the Magpies dominate the game, Carr is man of the match with six excellent saves, three of which are fantastic. They steamroller the visitors in the first-half but Cox is unhappy that they took their foot off the pedal. “I’ll never be satisfied. I learned that from Bill Shankly and Billy Nicholson. You must always seek to be better”.

Oldham (7th) - SJP - 18,531

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock(Shoulder), Mills, Martin, Varadi, Cartwright, Waddle

Scorers: Mills, Brownlie

13m - MILLS (1-0).

38m - BROWNLIE (2-0).

Half-time: Newcastle 2 Oldham 0

68m - Paul Futcher is sent off.

Full-time: Newcastle 2 Oldham 0

Position: 6th

UNITED MOVE UP ON BLINDSIDE - Although the margin of victory is narrow it is a game which Newcastle dominate. They are guilty of a couple of bad misses and are unlucky to strike the bar twice. Concerns about crowd trouble negatively impact on the gate.

Chelsea - SJP - 26,994

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock (Shoulder), Mills, Martin, Varadi, Cartwright, Waddle

Scorers: Waddle

38m - WADDLE (1-0).

Half-time: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 0

Full-time: Newcastle 1 Chelsea 0

PALACE BURST UNITED BUBBLE - After seven successive wins on Tyneside, United are held by the well-organised Londoners. The crowd is frustrated as the team flatters to deceive.

Crystal Palace - SJP - 22,151

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Cartwright, Waddle

Half-time: Newcastle 0 Crystal Palace 0

Full-time: Newcastle 0 Crystal Palace 0

United ride their luck and with Carr excellent once more, the Magpies secure a rare away win to keep themselves in the promotion race. It is their sixth clean-sheet in a row. However, five of their next seven games are against rivals in the battle at the top.

https://youtu.be/xEkpi0NItOs

Charlton (12th) - The Valley - 6,357

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Cartwright, Waddle

Scorers: Waddle

23m - WADDLE (1-0).

Half-time: Charlton 0 Newcastle 1

Full-time: Charlton 0 Newcastle 1

Position: 4th

UNITED WRECKED BY WREXHAM - United only need a point to move into the promotion places and score an early goal before folding disastrously against the relegation-threatened Welshman. Cox dismisses the result as “a hiccup”.

Wrexham (20th) - Racecourse Ground - 4,517

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick (Wharton), Carney, Haddock, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Cartwright, Waddle

Scorers: Varadi (2) - Edwards (2), McNeil, Ronson

08m - VARADI (1-0).

10m - EDWARDS (1-1).

Half-time: Wrexham 1 Newcastle 1

52m - MCNEIL (1-2).

61m - RONSON (1-3).

62m - VARADI (2-3).

65m - EDWARDS (2-4).

Full-time: Wrexham 4 Newcastle 2

Position: 5th

UNITED HELD UP BY MARK’S TEN -There is plenty of endeavour and effort from the Magpies but they lack the cool, clinical finishing required. Leicester are the better side in the first-half and hold out relatively comfortably despite playing throughout the second-half with ten men after having a man dismissed just before the break.

Leicester (9th) - SJP - 25,777

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Barton, Carney, Mills, Martin (Shoulder), Varadi, Cartwright, Waddle

43m - Macdonald is sent off

Half-time: Newcastle 0 Leicester 0

Full-time: Newcastle 0 Leicester 0

Position: 5th

PROMOTION POLEAXE? - Barton gives the Magpies an early lead, but although they are direct and dangerous on the break, Wednesday’s more measured approach prevails. It looks like United’s promotion hopes are all but gone.

Sheffield W (3rd) - Hillsborough - 29,917

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Barton, Carney, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Cartwright, Waddle

Scorers: Barton - Shelton, Pearson

15m - BARTON (1-0)

SHELTON (1-1)

PEARSON (1-2)

Half-time: Sheffield W 2 Newcastle 1

Full-time: Sheffield W 2 Newcastle 1

Position: 5th

REFEREE HARD ON NEWCASTLE - In a pulsating match Newcastle throw away a two-goal lead, with the Hatters awarded two controversial penalties in the last couple of minutes. With feelings running high David Mills is injured in an after-match scuffle with Mal Donaghy which starts in the tunnel. Then when the team reach their dressing room they discover that £600 worth of property (including cash, watches and personal documents) has been stolen.

Luton (1st) - Kenilworth Road - 13,041

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick, Barton (Wharton 10), Haddock, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Cartwright, Waddle

Scorers: Mills, Trewick (p), (Stein 3 (2p))

23m - MILLS (1-0)

Half-time: Luton 0 Newcastle 1

TREWICK penalty (2-0)

STEIN (2-1)

STEIN penalty (2-2)

STEIN penalty (2-3)

Full-time: Luton 3 Newcastle 2

Position: 7th

DEAD AS A DODO - OR A MAGPIE - An awful performance against the Fisherman, lethargic from the start they get gradually worse. Cox concedes that promotion is now impossible.

Grimsby (21st) - SJP - 14,065

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders (Wharton 69), Trewick, Carney, Haddock, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Cartwright, Waddle

Scorers: Brolly

Half-time: Newcastle 0 Grimsby 0

51m - BROLLY (0-1)

Full-time: Newcastle 0 Grimsby 1

Position: 9th

WIND, FIRE WORTH AND SLAUGHTER - Gale-force winds batter Ewood Park and United also get a sound beating in a match where they gift the Lancastrians three of the goals. Sixteen-year-old Paul Ferris becomes the club’s youngest ever player when he replaces Waddle towards the end.

Blackburn (10th) - Ewood Park - 5,207

Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Bell, Carney, Haddock, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Wharton, Waddle (Ferris 75)

Scorers: Varadi - Bell (2), Rathbone, Garner

09m - BELL (0-1)

24m - Brownlie and Speight are sent off after coming to blows.

41m - BELL (0-2)

Half-time: Blackburn 2 Newcastle 0

48m - VARADI (1-2)

68m - RATHBONE (1-3)

GARNER (1-4)

Full-time: Blackburn 4 Newcastle 1

Position: 10th

SAD NEWCASTLE ON THE SLIDE - United suffer their worst home defeat for years as they are bulldozed by the in-form Hoops. The team is jeered off at the end of each half.

QPR (7th) - SJP - 10,670/10,748

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders, Trewick (Ferris), Carney, Haddock, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Bell, Waddle

Scorers: Stainrod (2), Gregory, Flanagan,

03m - GREGORY (0-1)

36m - STAINROD (0-2)

39m - FLANAGAN (0-3)

Half-time: Newcastle 0 QPR 3

67m - STAINROD (0-4)

Full-time: Newcastle 0 QPR 4

Position: 11th

ICE-COOL VARADI - The crowd slips below 10,000 for the final home game of the season. United set off like a house on fire and lead 2-0 within ten minutes. The Welshman’s defence is shambolic at times and only two late goals make the score line more respectable

Wrexham (20th) - SJP - 9,419

Carr, Brownlie, Saunders (Wharton), Trewick, Barton, Halliday, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Cartwright, Waddle

Scorers: Waddle, Varadi, Trewick (p), Brownlie - Edwards, Hill

05m - BROWNLIE (1-0)

09m - WADDLE (1-0)

Half-time: Newcastle 2 Wrexham 0

53m - VARADI (3-0)

68m - TREWICK penalty (4-0)

86m - EDWARDS (4-2)

89m - HILL (4-2)

Full-time: Newcastle 4 Wrexham 2

Position: 9th

The Magpies score twice in the last three minutes to grab an unlikely and “undeserved” victory.

Crystal Palace () - Selhurst Park - 8,453

Carr, Haddock, Saunders, Trewick (Wharton), Barton, Halliday, Mills, Martin, Varadi, Cartwright, Waddle

Scorers: Mills (p), Waddle - Murphy (p)

Half-time: Crystal Palace 0 Newcastle 0

49m - MURPHY penalty (0-1)

87m - MILLS penalty (1-1)

89m - WADDLE (2-1)

Full-time: Crystal Palace 1 Newcastle 2

Position: 9th

A friendly organised to raise cash for the financially troubled Teessiders. United are far too slick for their hosts and Varadi scores five.

Hartlepool - Victoria Ground

Squad: Hardwick, Carr, Brownlie, Davies, Johnson, Carney, Haddock, Harri son, Walker, Cartwright, Trewick, Wharton, Pugh, Shoulder, Varadi, Waddle, Ferris.

Scorers: Varadi (5), Wharton - Linacre, Newton

11m - VARADI (1-0)

13m - VARADI (2-0)

24m - WHARTON (3-0)

Half-time: Hartlepool 0 Newcastle 3

60m - VARADI (4-0)

82m - NEWTON (4-1)

76m - VARADI (5-1)

VARADI (6-1)

LINACRE (6-2)

Full-time: Hartlepool 2 Newcastle 6