da bwin： It was honours even in a bad tempered game at St James Park where Peter Walton issued eight yellow cards as well as sending off Arsenal debutant, Gervinho.
da premier bet： Neither side could find a breakthrough on the night with both keepers comfortable in a game where the defences were on top. Chances were at a premium and although the visitors dominated the possession in both half’s, with Gervinho causing problems throughout, they couldn’t forge any clear cut opportunities.
While the neutral was hoping for a repeat of last season’s epic battle, it is clear that both sides are still looking for their peak fitness; a factor that affected most of the Premier League sides today. The frustration boiled over in the stands with both Newcastle and Arsenal fans displaying a little discontent towards the transfer policies of their respected clubs.
The second half panned out in much the same way as the first, although it burst into life with 15 minutes to go when Joey Barton confronted Gervinho after the Ivorian looked to win a penalty with a tumble. Barton’s reaction brought an angry response from the Arsenal striker who raised his hands on the Newcastle midfielder. Peter Walton had little option but to send the striker off, although his Arsenal teammates were clearly furious at Barton’s intervention in the incident.
The game petered out after that despite some half chances – both teams had to settle for a point. Alan Pardew was clearly the happier of the two at the final whistle, although you did sense that Arsene Wenger’s clear disdain was more to do with the sending off than the point gained at St James Park.
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