Chris Houghton gets the sack?!?!

A formal statement came out from St James Park tonight regarding Chris Houghton's future at Newcastle United. Newcastle confirmed that Chris Houghton will remain in place as manager of the magpies until the end of the season and that his contract would be re-negotiated at this point.

But then...

Ashley sacks Houghton ?!?! This has to be the worst board decision in the history of the premier league...see my latest article

Chris Houghton - you will be rewarded by a good club with a clever chairman, hopefully with a club that will help send your old club down!

Carling Cup 4th round Newcastle 0 Arsenal 4 27th October 2010

A glamour tie for the Geordies this evening as Arsenal made the trek to St James Park in the Carling Cup fourth round.

Wenger selected a decent team - one that you could see in the Premier League which I found refreshing. Why not - it's a day at Wembley for the fans...it potentially silverware that the Arsenal trophy cabinet could do with!

Arsenal assumed their normal fresh, one touch passing system in the first half as the home team managed to maintain rigidity in midfield and defence. Arsenal piled on quite a bit of pressure prior to the half time break and managed to put a corner in resulting in a goalkeeping blunder from rookie Tim Krul, who spilt a catch into his own net. Cruel, it could be said in the 45th minute but this seemed a fair reflection in the 1st half.

In the second half, Arsenal started brightly and managed to double their lead when Theo Walcott found himself in lots of space behind the back four with Nickolas Bendtner scampering out of the way from an offside position. Bendtner collided with one of the Newcastle central defenders and Walcott coolly slotted home past Krul for his 5th goal of the season. Fabio - get this lad back in our England 1st eleven!

Newcastle then brought on Andy Carroll and Enrique and this resulted in a decent spell of pressure lasting 10-15 minutes for the home side. They plugged away but Arsenal defended very well.

Fabregas came on towards the conclusion of this tie for run out but this proved completely academic. Bendtner too advantage of a Guthrie error and went on to smash a third in - great finish...worth a look on the highlights or Youtube. In the 85th minute, Ryan Taylor hit a great free kick stretching Szczesny to his absolute limit.

Walcott grabbed a second goal to make it 0-4 - flattering given the mid game spell that Newcastle United had but the Gunners took their chances well, with great on the break style away tactics.

Champions League Fixtures 20th October 2010: Inter vs Spurs

Champions League October 20th: Inter Milan vs Tottenham

The last time I was at the San Siro in a Spurs top it was during the dark days of Juande Ramos' reign and I was heckled by some fellow British tourists for languishing in the relegation zone. This evening it is a very different story as we take on Inter equal on points in the Champions League table. All the Lilywhites who have made the journey to this great stadium can wear their strips with pride as we are riding high in the Premiership and have shown great spirit and form in recent fixtures, particularly in our outing to Craven Cottage last weekend when we came from behind to claim all three points.

It is a shame that van der Vaart is suspended as he has proved to be a great signing for us and unfortunately Ledley King is injured and joins Defoe, Dawson, O'Hara and Woodgate in the sickbay. Hopefully Gallas and Kaboul will be available however. Additionally to give the game some extra spice both Crouchy and former Inter player Keano are both available to start and both have some personal demons to fight in the shape of demonstrating to Benitez how he hunder-rated them during their spells under him at Liverpool, which should play in Spurs' favour. Inter are also missing one of their strongest players - striker Diego Milito - but unfortunately for the away fans Samual Eto'o is likely to start and having already put 16 in the back of the net this season, he is at the top of his form and is to be feared.

Spurs fans are quick to point out that they were victorious in their last away encounter with a Benitez-managed team (2:1 last season at Anfield) but Inter fans would be just as eager to argue that Inter are just too strong at home for Spurs to pose a serious threat. Their last home defeat in this competition came in November 2008.

Contrary to popular belief Spurs have played in the San Siro before though, although we've never played against Inter. We managed a draw against AC Milan in the 1972 UEFA Cup semi-final, which got us through to the final against Wolves due to having won the home leg with 2 Steve Perryman goals. Carlo Cudicini's father actually played in goal for A.C!

Personally just as in 1972 I'd settle for an away draw and then we'll thrash them at White Hart fortress.

It's an amazing stadium, it's an amazing fixture ... COYS ... COYS

Champions League 19th October round up

Chelsea are unstoppable and showed flexed their champions league muscle in Moscow tonight with a 2 nil win. Anelka bagged his 50th Chelsea goal and Carlo Ancelotti's side were not put off by the artificial surface. John Terry also got a chance to put the past in it's place as the last time they visited Moscow they were beaten by Manchster United in the final. Chelsea now top their group with 9 points.

Arsenal beat Shaktar Donetsk 5-1 at the Emirates stadium. Wenger will have been delighted that they could go in at half time 2-0 up with Song and Nasri on the goal sheet. Fabregas, Welshere and Chamakh all scored for the Gunners in the 2nd half with ex-Arsenal player Da Silva getting the consolation goal.