Newcastle Vs. Liverpool, 2012 Premier League: Full Time, Newcastle Win, Reina Sent Off

Newcastle beat Liverpool by a score of 2-0, with Pappis Cisse getting a goal either side of half time. Newcastle now go level on points with Chelsea, 2 points back of Tottenham in 4th, while Liverpool fall behind rivals Everton. On his return to Newcastle, Andy Carroll's only contribution of note was to be booked for diving in the penalty area and to head over the Newcastle goal.

Hatem Ben Arfa was, along with Cisse, the standout man for Newcastle. He gave Jose Enrique a torrid time at left back, and set up Cisse's first goal with a beautiful cross that was headed back across goal and in off the post. Cisse could've doubled the score just before halftime, when Ben Arfa again found Cisse. This time, the Senegalese headed just wide.

Newcastle, though, would get the second goal. It was a wonderful team move, with Cabaye and Ba combining to slip in Cisse, who dragged the ball past Reina and then slotted into the net. There, was, however, controversy; the pass from Ba, which was clearly intended for Cisse, meant that Cisse was at least 3 yards offside. Before the pass reached Cisse, though, Ben Arfa and Martin Skrtel went for the ball, and may have got a touch, though it looked unlikely.

Liverpool could've come straight back into the game right after Cisse had scored. A cross from Enrique had Krul flapping and miss the ball, with it coming back to Luis Suarez. His shot, though, was brilliantly blocked by James Perch, who was superb in a makeshift Newcatle back line.

There were more problems for Liverpool on 84 minutes. After claiming a cross, Pepe Reina got into an altercation with James Perch, which ended with Reina headbutting the Newcastle man. Although Perch went down extremely easily, it was a textbook red card. With all 3 subs used, Enrique went into goal, but didn't face a shot. Reina will now miss the FA Cup semi-final, as a bad day for Liverpool got worse.