Newcastle v United "Live Blog"

I'm going to try something a bit different today. Rather than post after the game, or in a few days, I'm going to keep a quasi-running commentary of notable events in the match as it happens, and publish immediately after.
A few notes before we start: United's starting XI has Anders Lindegaard in goal (understandably so), Ferdinand, Evra, Jones, and Valencia at the back, a Carrick/Park/Giggs/Nani midfield, and a strike pairing of Rooney and Berbatov. It's a strong looking side, and it's good to see Rio back in the lineup. Kickoff just happened...GO!
4' First chance of the game for the Toon. Danny Simpson brilliantly played the ball to Demba Ba, who mistimed his kick and let the ball slide harmlessly away.
6' Good effort on goal by Johan Cabaye. Saved comfortably by Lindy.
Sidenote-Did Newcastle change shirt sponsors mid-season? Could swear it wasn't always Virgin Money this year.
11' Evra picks out Nani just outside the 18 yd box, Nani fires goal-ward, saved by Krul, despite almost being converted by Rooney.
13' Jonas Guitierrez gets run the fuck over by Antonia Valencia.
14' Evra picks out Berba in the box, fires a header that was deflected away out of bounds by Krul. Corner inexplicably not given.
Sidenote #2- Good christ Nani's haircut is awful. he could play for Arsenal with a head like that.
18' A potentially dangerous shot by Cabaye deflected over for a corner.
20' Handball Cabaye. Unintentional. Free kick given. Rooney takes it, deflected out, United corner
22' Giggs puts Rooney in on goal with a beauty of a pass, but he bricks the touch and fucks it up. Shame, that.
25' Ba brought down hard in the penalty area by Rio Ferdinand. Howard Webb says "uh-uh." No foul given.
Sidenote #3- Upon seeing the replays, that was a penalty on Ba.
30' Ameobi played in on goal, wonderfully defended by Ferdinand.
31' Rio crashes into Ba, Ba gets the foul. Not sure how that works.
33' Ameobi flicks on for Ba, who hits an absolute cracker of a fall-away shot that loops over Ferdinand and Lindegaard. Goal Newcastle.
Sidenote #4- Newcastle did indeed change shirt sponsors. on a closeup of Ba, the Northern Rock printing could clearly be seen under the Virgin Money patch.
42' Ba gets a good shot on target, and draws a foul off Giggs.
44' Ryan Taylor takes the ensuing free kick. Well taken, but just over the bar.

Half-time Analysis: Newcastle were far and away the hungrier team, and deserve the lead. United had very good possession, but the play was poor in the final third, leaving us wanting for chances. The crowd at St. James Park was in full voice, and that can do nothing but help to spur on the home team's effort. United need to make a few adjustments if they hope to get a result here. The Magpie defense, specifically Coloccini, has been really frustrating so far, and I hope we can find a breakthrough early in the second half. Speaking of which...

46' Phil Jones fouls the shit out of Demba Ba to earn the first booking of the night.
47' Cabaye with a flawless free-kick, upper 90. Lindegaard even jumped the right way, but to no avail. 2-nil to the Toon.
57' Berbatov withdrawn for Welbeck. Just as well, seeing as how he did precisely fuck-all in the first half.
58-59' Valencia tries to pick out Rooney in the box, but it goes behind him. Ball falls back out to Nani, who flicks it to Welbeck, who flicks on to Rooney. Shot cleared off the line by Danny Simpson. Falls back to Welbeck, who tried to pick out Park, but it was deflected away by Ryan Taylor, and the danger is over. Fuck me.
60' Giggs to Park, to Welbeck, no shot. Another wasted chance.
61' Lather, rinse, repeat. Good to see some life from United.
61' Valencia and Guitierrez go up for a ball, Valencia gets booked. Questionable. Looked 50/50 to me.
65' Park Ji-Sung comes off for Javier Hernandez. Rooney drops to midfield, while Chicha goes up top with Welbeck.
66' Tiote plays Ameobi on, but a crucial tackle from Phil Jones kills the chance.
68' Valencia fouls Guitierrez again. Needs to be careful.
74' Wayne Rooney subbed off for Anderson. Shola Ameobi withdrawn for Leon Best.
78' Cabaye comes off for James Perch. Good game, Cabaye. One of the prettiest goals I've ever seen.
81' Tiote clips the heels of Michael Carrick and goes into the book.
86' Anderson picks out Welbeck in the box with a beautifully weighted long ball, but Welbeck overcooks his touch to play Hernandez on, and Tim Krul makes the save.
89' Demba Ba comes off for Gabriel Obertan. Ba exits the pitch to a well-earned standing ovation. Newcastle surely will miss the big Senagalese striker during the African Cup of Nations.
90' Phil Jones muffs a clearance form an incoming long-ball and puts in an own-goal. Somehow this is a fitting end to this cock-up of a match. United deserve the zero points they're bound to get here.
95' Final whistle mercifully blown by Howard Webb.

Full-time Analysis: Simply put, this was a great performance by Newcastle, and a poor one by United. Our play in the final third improved in the second half, but the Magpie back four remained on-point and marked our strikers right out of the game. Not much more I can say besides well done.
United are away to City in the FA Cup on Sunday, and I'm really hoping to not see 3 losses on the trot. get your shit together, lads. Now is not the time to fall apart.