My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Chelsea (H)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (7) - Had one or two anxious moments but overall I thought he dealt well with the crosses coming in.

Danny Simpson (7) - He kept Malouda quiet for much of the game and was unlucky to see their equaliser come as a result of his deflection. Pushed forward nicely as well.

Steven Taylor (7.5) - Considering it was his first official game since January, I thought he did really well. It will give him some confidence to build on for the next game.

Sol Campbell (7.5) - He made one superb block in the first half and showed a real calm head at the back.

Jose Enrique (8) - Again showed why he is such an important player for us. He did not allow anyone to pass him. Went forward when he could but more importantly his defending was excellent. Made one or two key challenges and cleared one off the line as well.

Wayne Routledge (8) - I thought Routledge was excellent today. He put a few good balls into the box and kept Ashley Cole honest. Made some good runs and was unlucky not to score with a goal bound volley. Would be unlucky if he does not start the next game.

Cheik Tiote (7) - It was good to have him back today. He really made some solid tackles and hardly lost the ball.

Danny Guthrie (6.5) - He had a decent game but failed to deliver enough quality from our set pieces. After a good first half he started to fade in the second half but a performance full of commitment none the less.

Jonas Gutierrez (6.5) - Guilty of giving the ball away which ultimately led to them scoring but he ran until the very end and if he had a little more support we could have done better on the counter attack.

Shola Ameobi (7) - Showed glimpses of the old Shola Ameobi where he was sloppy, miss controlling the ball and making one or two errors but overall he was good especially in the first half. I wish we played more balls into the box as he looked as though he had a goal in him if he was just given the correct service.

Andy Carroll (6.5) - Started the game well and managed to score through putting the Chelsea defenders under pressure but unfortunately for him today, he became more and more anonymous the longer the game went on. Became a frustrated figure but credit should go to him for still managing to get on the score sheet.

Substitutions
Nile Ranger (N/A) - A late substitute today.

Man of the Match - Wayne Routledge

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Bolton (A)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (6.5) - Did not deserve to concede five. He was better than the scoreline suggests as he made a few quality saves.

Danny Simpson (5) - Useful going forward but should have cleared the ball for their second goal which really ended our hopes of staying in the game.

Mike Williamson (4) - Could not handle Bolton's two strikers. Guilty of a horrific headbutt which should have seen him sent off.

Fabricio Coloccini (4) - The same applies to the usually calm defender. He allowed Davies to win virtually every header and was at fault for the second and fourth goals. Got himself sent off when the game was lost which was very disappointing to see.

Jose Enrique (5.5) - He was vey useful going forward and looked dangerous but he did not get in enough crosses and gave the ball away far too many times at this level. I counted at least six times while Lee seemed to have the better of him for periods of the game.

Danny Guthrie (6.5) - I thought he had a decent game. He was good on the ball but due to him being played out of position he hardly got a chance to show his creativity.

Alan Smith (5) - He failed to protect the defence and should really be sold in the transfer window. On far too high wages and doesn't do his defensive midfield duties, which made the defence look even worse today.

Kevin Nolan (5.5) - Gave away a needless penalty with his handball. Seemed to try too hard on his return to Bolton. Expected so much more from him.

Jonas Gutierrez (6.5) - He did not have a bad game. Just couldn't get into the game enough at times but it was hard as he was forced to defend for large parts of the game.

Shola Ameobi (7) - Worked hard for the team and showed some neat footwork at times. If only he was given more service we could have stayed in the game for longer than we did.

Andy Carroll (7.5) - Took his goal really well and almost scored a second with a cracking shot which hit the woodwork. Worked hard and felt sorry for him towards the end.

Substitutes
Sol Campbell (6) - Did reasonably well when he came on. Will probably start against Chelsea.

Wayne Routledge (6.5) - Looked fairly bright when he came on. Played in some good balls to Carroll and I think he should get another chance especially while Barton is out.

Peter Lovenkrands (5.5) - Failed to make any impact but then again the game was long gone when he came on.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Andy Carroll

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Fulham (H)

Player Ratings
Tim Krul (7.5) - Made a string of good saves to deny Fulham and deserved a clean sheet. He seems to be growing in confidence, with every game he plays.

Danny Simpson (7) - Didn't get a chance to attack as much as Enrique but did manage to put in one or two fine crosses. Dealt well with his defensive duties when called upon.

Mike Williamson (7) - He recovered well after initially being caught out for pace at times in the first half. Hardly gave Johnson a chance in the second half.

Fabricio Coloccini (7.5) - He defended really well and was our rock at the back. Did make one or two errors but overall had a really good game at the back.

Jose Enrique (8) - Our best player on the day. Strong in the challenge, good on the ball and linked up well with Gutierrez he takes the man of the match award for me from a Newcastle United point of view.

Danny Guthrie (7) - Was forced to cut in a few times but I thought he delivered some fine crosses into the box. He looked good on the ball and should play in the centre for him to have more of the ball in the next few games.

Cheik Tiote (7) - Gets a suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season. Went about his business nicely though and marshaled the defence well.

Kevin Nolan (6) - Not involved as much as he would have liked and was less effective. I thought his passing was good although he wasn't in the box getting on the end of things and that is really one of his biggest strengths which meant he was a bit quieter than usual.

Jonas Gutierrez (7) - After a slow start, he got more and more into the game and made some excellent runs. Put in a few good crosses just like Guthrie on the other flank. Worked really hard and almost set Ranger up with a fine run into the box towards the end.

Andy Carroll (7) - I was disappointed to see him get a groin injury. Will have to wait and see what the extent of that injury is. As for his performance, he was denied by a great save from Schwarzer after a thumping volley was sent goal wards. Showed some good skills and also glimpses of promise in his partnership with Lovenkrands.

Peter Lovenkrands (6.5) - Made some excellent runs but should have scored after having three really good chances. It was his first game back in the team so one cannot be too harsh on him. Good to see him get a chance though.

Substitutes
Nile Ranger (5.5) - Hardly got involved when coming on which was disappointing.

Wayne Routledge (6) - Put in one excellent cross when coming on but did nothing else.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Jose Enrique

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Arsenal (A)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (8) - A really good performance from our young keeper. He did very well in handling the crosses which came into the box and made some really good saves. On a performance like this I wonder whether he should become our number one.

Danny Simpson (8) - I thought he too had a really good game. He defended well and offered a little going forward although he did not always get the chance. What I liked about his performance today was the fact that he got stuck in and put in some good tackles as well as a fine block in the second half.

Mike Williamson (7.5) - Solid in the air, he gave Chamakh no room to be effective. Together with Coloccini he marshaled the back line superbly.

Fabricio Coloccini (8) - A very calming influence at the back once more it must be said. He made numerous interceptions and read the game superbly, the hallmark of any top defender. His partnership with Williamson at centre back has been one of the highlights of our year and it was very evident in this game.

Jose Enrique (7.5) - Apart from seeing Walcott hit the post when coming in on his inside in the second half , Enrique dealt really well with the pacy winger and generally looked assured in defence.

Joey Barton (7.5) - He kept the ball really nicely for us and worked very hard. He's set pieces were not to his standards of the last few weeks but he did set up the goal so don't think I can be too harsh on him. Has continued his good form thus far.

Cheik Tiote (8) - Overall he was outstanding in his defensive midfield role. He kept the ball superbly at times, while other times he lost the ball, but he did his job and very well at that.

Kevin Nolan (7) - He wasn't in the game as much but he went about his business quietly and played some neat balls for us to counter attack from.

Jonas Gutierrez (6) - This wasn't one of his better games but what he did do, was work really hard for the team. He was guilty of giving the ball away too often in this match but it was his run that earned us the free kick which led to the goal so his contribution should not go unnoticed.

Shola Ameobi (6.5) - I remember him making a block in the first half, from an Arsenal set piece and that is a sign of the improvement in his work rate in the last few weeks. He worked hard for the team and it's a side of his game which was questioned in previous seasons but shouldn't be judging by his recent performances.

Andy Carroll (8) - He earns the Man of the Match for three reasons. Firstly, he scored the only goal of the match and took it really nicely even though some may blame the goalkeeper. As far as I'm concerned he still had a bit to do and he should take credit for that. Secondly his work rate was exceptional and lastly I lost count of the number of defensive headers he won so he deserves it for me. Barring injury, I can't not see him in the next England squad.

Substitute
Nile Ranger (7) - Came on and did well to help us secure the win.

Man of the Match - Andy Carroll