My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs West Brom (A)

Player Ratings

Tim Krul (7) - Had a fairly comfortable day in goal. Was not to blame for their goal for it was clear that Williamson wanted him to come out and then for some reason headed the ball away from the oncoming keeper.

Danny Simpson (7) - Got on with his job at right back without really being tested. Handled what came his way though.

Mike Williamson (6.5) - At fault for their goal, as he had the chance to head it back to Krul but then panicked as the striker closed in on him. Other than that he actually had a decent game.

Fabricio Coloccini (7) - Was forced off with an injury at half time but before that he was his usual composed self at the back dealt with everything which came his way.

James Perch (8) - Thought he was outstanding. Started the game at left back and did his job but he was better in the second half when moved to centre back. Seems to be high on confidence and it is showing in his recent performances.

Danny Guthrie (6.5) - Was decent without really being at his best. Put in a shift and did what was required of him. Went off with a slight knock and may not start the next game with Tiote expected to be fit.

Yohan Cabaye (7) - Involved nicely in the build up to our second goal and it was some of his runs which allowed others space on the counter attack. Has not been on top form recently but seems to be getting there again.

Jonas Gutierrez (7.5) - I thought he did an excellent job for us yesterday. Firstly it was his superb through ball which led to us opening the scoring and then the way he shifted to a defensive midfield role and did that job well. A non stop worker who is so important to the team right now.

Hatem Ben Arfa (9) - The Frenchman was simply outstanding. Scored a beautiful goal on the counter attack which saw him go from box to box and finish a neat move and then he set up our two other goals as well. Went on some amazing runs and is almost at the peak of his powers. Did lose the ball occasionally but was always dangerous on the counter attack.

Demba Ba (8) - Will be disappointed that he has not scored in a few games but played his part in a dangerous front three who really seem to have the potential to be one of the feared attacks in the league. Certainly pivotal in a number of our chances.

Papiss Cisse (8.5) - Took his two goals well but then again he could have had a hat trick especially as one of the chances was a one on one. Formed a good partnership with Ba and Ben Arfa and his good work rate was also worth noting.

Substitutes
Davide Santon (7) - Came on and did his job, without really going forward much, so showed good discipline.

Shola Ameobi (7) - Came on and helped us kill the game off.

Shane Ferguson (6.5) - Enjoyed a brief run out.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Hatem Ben Arfa

My Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Sunderland (H)

Tim Krul (7.5) - Did not have that much to do but handled the crosses well and guessed right for the penalty. Can't ask for more.

Danny Simpson (7) - Won a few good challenges and seemed up for it. Cannot really fault his defending although he did not do much in an attacking sense.

Mike Williamson (6) - Had a decent match but it was his one moment of stupidity that cost us getting all the points. Why tug his shirt? Only he'll know but otherwise he defended quite well actually.

Fabricio Coloccini (7.5) - Also won some challenges and intercepted a few important passes. Our best defender on the day.

Davide Santon (7) - I thought he had a good first half so it came as a surprise to see him taken off at half time. I suppose Pardew wanted Ryan Taylor on the field for his set pieces so Santon had to be sacrificed. Santon took on players and was always willing to go forward and hardly did anything wrong from a defensive point of view.

Ryan Taylor (6) - Thought he did very little in an attacking sense and should have been the one whom Ben Arfa replaced. With Cabaye in the team, we had an able replacement for the set pieces. Overall his set pieces were not bad, in fact he put in a terrific corner from which Ba hit the crossbar.

Yohan Cabaye (6.5) - Was not on the ball as much as I hoped, which resulted in us being poor in the first half but he had a better second half. Provided the cross for our goal and put in a few other notable crosses as well.

Cheik Tiote (6) - Do not think he controlled the middle of the park and that cost us a bit. He put himself about but seemed to get involved with too many off the ball incidents instead of doing what he does best.

Jonas Gutierrez (7.5) - One of our few bright sparks in the first half and he had a good second half as well. Always linked up well with the left back, whether it was Santon or Taylor.

Papiss Cisse (5) - I thought he was fairly anonymous for much of his time on the field. That may not be his fault for we weren't creating that many chances at that stage. He'll have better days I'm sure.

Demba Ba (7) - Missed the penalty, which happens to the best sometimes, so we cannot blame him for that. It was just not his day in the end as he hit the crossbar with a superb header as well. He looked dangerous in the second half which was good to see for his first half was slightly below par.

Substitutes
Hatem Ben Arfa (8.5) - Really changed the game when he came on. We looked more dangerous, he was beating men with ease and he looked a real threat. Yes he lost the ball a few times as well but he lifted the crowd, caused Sunderland problems and that's what we needed.

Shola Ameobi (9) - Won us the penalty and scored the crucial goal. Can't ask more from a substitute in a derby match.

Peter Lovenkrands (N/A) - Was not on long enough to do anything note worthy.

Newcastle United Man of the Match - Shola Ameobi