Demba Ba fired Newcastle into third place in the English Premier League as the Senegal striker bagged a hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Monday.
Alan Pardew’s side have been the surprise package of the season and this may well have been their most impressive performance to date as Ba condemned Stoke to only their second defeat in their last 14 home league matches.
Ba scored twice in the first half and, although Jonathan Walters reduced the deficit with a second half penalty, the former West Ham forward completed his second hat-trick of the season from the spot to ensure the Magpies maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign. Newcastle are now just one point behind second placed Manchester United and three ahead of fourth placed Chelsea.
While it may be slightly premature to talk of Newcastle as serious contenders for a top-four finish, a few more results like this will put them firmly in the race for the Champions League.
Pardew, who deserves great credit for revitalising a club seemingly in turmoil after the departures of Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton, suffered a pre-match setback when key midfielder Cheik Tiote was ruled out with a knee injury.
Newcastle hadn’t won a league match at Stoke since 1985 but, even without Tiote, they travelled to the Potteries in confident mood after such an impressive start.
Their upbeat mood was clear to see in a vibrant spell that brought the opening goal in the 12th minute.
It must have been an especially bitter pill for Stoke to swallow as the goal bore all the hallmarks of their own route one style and came from a player who was close to joining them in the close-season before a failed medical scuppered the deal.
Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul launched a huge punt downfield and Leon Best flicked on to Gabriel Obertan, who found himself in space behind left-back Marc Wilson.
Obertan’s cross was perfect for Ba and he rose to head home his sixth league goal in five matches.
Stoke were almost gifted an equaliser when Krul, under no pressure, dropped Andy Wilkinson’s high cross and was relieved to see the ball roll behind and not across his goalline.
Tony Pulis’s team had conceded just one goal at home this season, but the hosts lost defenders Wilson and Ryan Shawcross to injury before half-time and Newcastle increased their lead in the 40th minute.
Matthew Upson could only help Fabricio Coloccini’s lofted pass on to Best on the right of the penalty area and his miscued shot fell perfectly for Ba to stab home.
There was little chance of Stoke performing as tamely in the second half and sure enough they came out with a more aggressive approach after the break.
Robert Huth threatened when he headed over from a Matt Etherington corner but Newcastle held firm until the 75th minute.
Ba briefly went from hero to villain when referee Mike Dean ruled his shove on Peter Crouch was worthy of a penalty.
Walters smashed in the spot-kick, but Ba was back in Newcastle’s good books six minutes later when Dean awarded a penalty for Huth’s nudge on Best and the Senegal star sent Asmir Begovic the wrong way to seal the win.
They are the current leading soccer tipsters in this month competition. See also tipsters rankings.
![]() |
johnny67
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Liverpool vs Real Betis 1 hour and 36 minutes ago |
![]() |
johnny67
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Rangers vs Deportes Limache 1 hour and 36 minutes ago |
![]() |
johnny67
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on York9 vs Atlético Ottawa 1 hour and 36 minutes ago |
![]() |
johnny67
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Sportivo Trinidense vs Guaraní 1 hour and 36 minutes ago |
![]() |
johnny67
posts a Half Time Result tip on Manchester United vs Fulham 1 hour and 37 minutes ago |
![]() |
johnny67
posts a Half Time Result tip on Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 hour and 37 minutes ago |
![]() |
johnny67
posts a Half Time Result tip on Newcastle United vs Southampton 1 hour and 37 minutes ago |
![]() |
johnny67
posts a Half Time Result tip on Ipswich Town vs Liverpool 1 hour and 37 minutes ago |
![]() |
johnny67
posts a Half Time Result tip on Everton vs Brighton & Hove Albion 1 hour and 37 minutes ago |
![]() |
johnny67
posts a Half Time Result tip on Nottingham Forest vs AFC Bournemouth 1 hour and 37 minutes ago |
Upcoming football matches with excellent head to head records over their opponents.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs who play better for their home games H2H.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs that play well for their away games.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Motivated teams after winning five matches in a row or they have maintained a ten-match unbeaten run. The bookmakers label them as favourites for a reason.
Teams in crisis after five consecutive defeats or they did not win their last ten football matches. You should avoid betting on these underdogs.
Teams that have not won at away matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
This tipsters ranking is based on single picks excluding doubles and multi accumulators. For the full ranking click here.
Tipsters with consecutive winnings in their recent predictions.
Tipsters whom have lost a few matches in a row. Bad luck you call it.
The odds are that you will lose. Accept loss as a part of the game.If you choose to gamble, do so for fun. If your gambling is no longer fun, ask yourself why you're still doing it.
From as little as $1 per soccer tip.
|
Arbitrage is an effective way to make guaranteed profits without losing your money.
Analyze soccer matches, inclusive of past results, head to head stats, today match fixtures, live soccer odds, players and team form.
Check the latest and fastest live score results for all football matches. Know who are the goalscorers, yellow card and red card offenders.
Read up these useful tips for soccer betting.
Get the listings of soccer leagues and competitions for each region, including past seasons results and football statistics.
Want to bet on a match today? Check out the list of today match fixtures.
Read MoreGet the match results for all the soccer matches around the globe. Inclusive of half-time, full-time results.
Read MoreAre you an expert in soccer betting? Join SoccerPunter Tipsters competition to challenge against the top football tipsters and win prizes!
Read MoreCopyright © 2002-2024 SoccerPunter Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment: