Not a Cup Team

For the second year in a row Newcastle have gone out of the FA Cup to a lower league side.  It may not have been a embarrasing as last year’s loss to Stevenage but it’s still disappointing.

With Demba Ba and Cheik Tiote still away for the African Cup of Nations, Allan Pardew put out the strongest side available.  There were some chances early on for Leon Best but he did all he can to prove he’s far from Mint.

There were a couple incindents with one being Yohan Cabaye kicking out at El-Abd after he was tackled from behind.  The other was a surefire handball in the Brighton box from a Cabaye shot.  Neither was called by referee Lee Probert which demonstrates the poor game he had.

In the end another Mike Williamson own goal will be the downfall of our FA Cup run.  Some might say this allows us to concentrate on the league but I’m sure the fans would love a long Cup run one of these years.