NEWCASTLE UNITED returned to European football for the first time in six years after a fantastic 2011/12 season at St James Park.
The Magpies recorded their first top-five placing since the days of Sir Bobby Robson, finishing ahead of Champions League winners Chelsea, and 13 points clear of Liverpool.
It could have been even better for the Toon who harboured hopes of Champions League qualification right until the very last day.
But even a defeat on the final day to Everton at Goodison Park could not disguise what had been a brilliant campaign from start to finish.
Certainly, it did not look on the cards after a turbulent summer when influential figures Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton followed Andy Carroll out of the exit door.
Indeed, it seemed as if owner Mike Ashley had little regard once again for Newcastle's Premier League status, breaking up key elements of a team which had won promotion at the first attempt and then stabilised the club with a 12th-placed finish in 2010/11.
Thankfully, for once, the Magpies had a plan. In came cheaper, hungrier alternatives such as Demba Ba from relegated West Ham United and French Ligue 1 winner Yohan Cabaye.
Moreover, the return of Hatem Ben Arfa was a massive boost to the team's creativity while, at the back, goalkeeper Tim Krul and Argentine international Fabricio Coloccini both began with at least a decent year of Premier League experience behind them.
All of these players, and others, would play their part in making this one of the most memorable Newcastle seasons for years. There was even the introduction of a wildcard but that would come a bit later.
The season began with a 0-0 home draw against Arsenal who were having problems of their own after their losses in midfield of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.
A game of few chances will be most remembered for Barton getting new Gunners forward Gervinho sent off by throwing himself dramatically to the floor.
Incidentally, Barton - at his new club, Queens Park Rangers - would end the season on the opposite end of the referee's judgement following an elbow on Carlos Tevez, an attempted headbutt on Vincent Kompany, and a brutal kick on Sergio Aguero.
This total loss of control has earned Barton a 12-match ban for the start of next season, and the Scouser further reacted by abusing Alan Shearer on Twitter. Never has the name of the social networking site seemed so apt.
Back to Newcastle anyway, and next up was a trip to the Dark Place where the Magpies had lost just once in 31 years.
That was made once in 32 years after Ryan Taylor curled a free-kick over the wall for a tight 1-0 win.
It would have been perhaps an easier win if England's premier referee Howard Webb spotted a blatant handball in the box by Sebastian Larsson.
But, it did not matter once Taylor joined the pantheon of over-the-wall greats, a list which already included Liam O'Brien, Scott Sellars and Emre from just the last 20 years.
As often is the case with an early derby match, the result proved important in contextualising the first part of the season.
While Sunderland were condemned to scrapping among the lower reaches of the table throughout the autumn, Newcastle could look ahead confidently to a kind set of fixtures in the rest of August, September and October.
Indeed, the Magpies would remain unbeaten during these months for their best start to a top-flight season since 1994.
A Leon Best brace saw off Fulham before a third clean sheet out of four came in a 0-0 draw against QPR. Barton started for his new employers but made little impression against the club who let him go.
Shaun Wright-Phillips was much more influential, regularly beating full-back Ryan Taylor but, with a dud like Jay Bothroyd up front, the Magpies were able to escape Loftus Road with a fortunate point.
A second away point in the same week came at Villa Park. However, this was a much better performance from United who reacted well to Gabriel Agbonlahor's early goal with Best grabbing a deserved second half equaliser.
Back at home and finally the Toon Army were rewarded by the awakening of Demba Ba. A quiet start to the campaign for the Senegalese striker had been attributed to his devout Muslim faith and practice of Ramadan.
But, by the time Blackburn Rovers visited St James Park at the end of September, Ba's Holy Month was over and Steve Kean's men were put to the sword by a brilliant hat-trick.
Ba scored again the following Saturday away at Wolverhampton Wanderers and the tireless Jonas Gutierrez added a second before half time or a confident Toon side.
To their credit, Mick McCarthy's men came back strongly in the second half and were belatedly rewarded for their efforts when Steven Fletcher scored two minutes from time.
Wolves could have even rescued a point but were denied a blatant penalty of their own as luck, for once, seemed to adhere to the cliche of evening itself out.
Next up was a 2-2 draw - but a very good one against Tottenham Hotspur at home. Newcastle were never ahead in an evenly-matched contest as Rafael van der Vaart penalty gave Spurs a half time lead.
Ba hit an equaliser from close range straight after the resumption but Jermain Defoe, off the bench and chasing an England place, struck a sweet shot from just outside the box.
If that had looked to have won the game for Harry Redknapp's men, Shola Ameobi was having none of it. Ameobi, also a substitute, picked up the ball in an unpromising position with his back to goal.
A quick turn and exquisite half-volley later and the ball was in the net. Coloccini could have even won it at the death but a point was just reward for a brilliant all-round effort and a first sign that Newcastle's place in the top four would not just be a fleeting appearance.
But, if Newcastle had shown glimpses of top four quality in matching Spurs, none of it was in evidence at home to Wigan Athletic, six days later.
The expected Ba-inspired mauling did not materialise and the Magpies were indebted to some great goalkeeping from Krul and a fine late strike from Cabaye to keep the unbeaten run going.
Ba had been strangely quiet against the struggling Latics but, nine days later, it became evident why - he had been saving his goals up for the visit to Stoke City.
One year on from the Hallowe'en massacre of Sunderland, Newcastle took apart another team in red-and-white stripes with Ba hitting his second hat-trick for the club. It was a sweet moment for the Senegalese striker against the club who rejected him on account of his dodgy knee.
Newcastle entered November in third place, and briefly went second with another win, this time at home against Everton.
United made an ideal start with Johnny Heitinga heading into his own net under pressure from Best before Ryan Taylor scored his second stunner of the season with a dipping volley that would win Goal of the Month.
Jack Rodwell pulled a goal back for the Toffees out of the blue and it changed the game.
Newcastle were forced Newcastle to rely on Krul and their defence for most of the second half and Dan Gosling was fortunate to get away with handball against his old club as the Magpies just about held it together.
Still, that was made it nine wins, four draws and just eight goals conceded in the first 13 games.
Nevertheless - at this relatively early stage - many of the pundits suggested Newcastle had simply taken advantage of a generous fixture list. And, while that was true to an extent, the next two games were both away in Manchester.
Newcastle battled hard against leaders Man City but a nightmare five minutes before half time gave the Blues an unassailable two goal lead before Aguero added a second penalty of the afternoon on 72 minutes.
A late consolation goal by Gosling showed the Magpies fought to the bitter end but there was a much greater success just around the corner.
For, while Newcastle have still not won in the league at Old Trafford since 1972, Ba converted a fortunate penalty to reply to Javier Hernandez's goal just after half time for a 1-1 draw.
Sir Alex Ferguson was left fuming but his team only had themselves to blame after missing a boat-load of chances following Gutierrez's sending off with 12 minutes left.
The draw shut the pundits up for the best part of the week. However, in typical Newcastle style, the Toon had just about cleared two hurdles and fell at the third.
Chelsea at home was pinpointed as the easiest of the three tough games in a row after their indifferent start under then-manager Andre Villas-Boas - and it could have been all so different if Mike Dean had sent off David Luiz for hauling Ba down on the edge of the box.
However, Luiz remained on the pitch, and Chelsea took the game to United with Daniel Sturridge torturing the defence.
Didier Drogba gave the Blues a lead at the interval but Newcastle played better thereafter, only for this match to have a cruel sting in the tail as the visitors twice caught United on the break in the last two minutes.
In worse news still, the impressive early form of Steven Taylor came to an abrupt end through injury while Coloccini also picked up a knock. Newcastle's settled back line was suddenly no more - and it showed.
Against Norwich City in the next game, United lined up with Danny Simpson and James Perch at the heart of the defence, neither of whom stand at a height of six feet.
Grant Holt had a field day, scoring two headers and rendering Ba's brace irrelevant in a 4-2 win for the Canaries.
Later in December, at home to West Bromwich Albion, Ba would again hit two goals for no return in terms of points as the Baggies bagged three by hitting United on the break.
In between Norwich away and West Brom at home, Newcastle played out a 0-0 draw against Swansea City on a solemn afternoon in which the football seemed secondary.
Louise Speed, wife of Newcastle stalwart and Wales boss Gary, was present at St James Park to pay respects to the former midfielder following his suspected suicide.
Gary's parents, and his two sons, were also present as Welsh tenor Gwyn Hughes Jones sung Bread of Heaven to mark a black day on Tyneside.
Prolonged applause and further Speed chants could be heard on 11 minutes, that being the number which he wore on his back. At a later inquest, the coroner said he could not be satisfied Speed intended to kill himself in recording a narrative verdict. Regardless of that, RIP Gary Speed.
Back to the football, and Newcastle had dropped to 7th in the league table on Christmas Day, having failed to win since the fireworks had fizzled out.
Boxing Day at Bolton Wanderers was vital if United were not just going to fall away despite an impressive start.
The problem was that the game was just as vital for the Trotters who were fighting a relegation battle which they would ultimately lose. Consequently, it was perhaps no surprise that the first hour of this match was simply dreadful with both sides seemingly too scared to commit men forward.
But that all changed when the maverick Ben Arfa was introduced. Suddenly, United took control and a Ryan Taylor pull-back found Ben Arfa waiting on the penalty spot, the Frenchman hitting a crisp half-volley to make it 1-0.
Within two minutes, it was 2-0, Ba inevitably scoring having been set by Gabriel Obertan. The Magpies had their first three-pointer since Bonfire Night and could approach the trip to Anfield in good spirits.
Unfortunately, there is something about that ground which causes Newcastle never to have a good day there. The last five results before this season had been two 2-0 defeats and three 3-0 defeats and so it was to considerable surprise and delight when Daniel Agger's OG gave United the lead.
It was an advantage which would be held for less than four minutes as Craig Bellamy took advantage of a rare Cheik Tiote error to make it 1-1 at half time.
Almost inevitably perhaps, former Newcastle hitman Bellamy gave the Reds the lead midway through the second half and, though Ba hit the post with a chance for 2-2, Steven Gerrard killed off any hopes of an unlikely point with a goal on his comeback from injury. Cue much fawning over the current England captain by the Skysports commentary team...
The traditional reversal at Anfield meant that, despite victory over Bolton in the other festive match, Newcastle had taken just five points from their last 24. First up in the New Year: Manchester United at home.
But, while the team had largely failed to turn up in Liverpool, every black-and-white shirt was raring to go on this Wednesday evening kick-off.
In the early stages, Newcastle comfortably matched the then-defending champions before Ba hit a wonder-strike, hooking the ball over his shoulder after an Ameobi flick on from Krul's goal kick.
The Magpies then doubled their advantage straight after the break, Ba having won a free-kick almost 30 yards out following a marauding run. Cabaye stepped up and struck the dead ball in off the underside of the crossbar - it was a dream goal from the man nicknamed the Dreamboat.
Newcastle defended their two-goal lead with ease and, late on, completed their humiliation of the Red Devils. Another long Krul punt was miscued badly by Phil Jones and the defender could only divert it into an unguarded net off his thigh after Anders Lindegaard had gone walkabouts.
All of a sudden, the mood around Tyneside had lifted again and, following a home victory over Blackburn Rovers in FA Cup courtesy of a wonder-goal by Ben Arfa, United made it three wins out of three in 2012 at home to QPR.
Barton was absent from the Hoops' starting line-up, predictably suspended after the first of his two dismissals, and Best continued his canny knack of scoring against some of the league's lesser lights for a 1-0 win.
This was flat bitter as opposed to the champagne football served up against Man United but the three points were no less important.
Indeed, they were especially important considering what next occurred at Craven Cottage against Fulham. One-nil up after a competent first half performance ended with a Danny Guthrie goal, Newcastle proceeded to collapse after the break, conceding four goals in 16 minutes, including two penalties.
Ben Arfa made it 4-2 with a goal five minutes from time but Clint Dempsey completed his hat-trick in the last minute, meaning United had shipped five for the first time in 14 months.
After a lame 1-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup, it was clear that Newcastle needed Ba and Tiote back from the African Nations Cup.
Fortunately, Senegal were dumped out in the first round and Ba came back with a friend, Papiss Demba Cisse, who had been signed for £10m from German club Freiburg.
Ever the gambler, Ashley hoped Cisse would be the man to keep Newcastle near the top though a lack of depth at centre-back remained of particular concern.
Meanwhile, neither Ba nor Cisse were required as United did the double over Blackburn with a 2-0 win at Ewood Park.
An own goal from Scott Dann at the start of the game and a stoppage time breakaway goal courtesy of Obertan gave Newcastle a fifth away league win of the season even though Rovers dominated almost all the game between the two goals.
The Magpies also lost their way in the next game against Villa at home with Robbie Keane equalising on the stroke of half time after Ba's close-range opener.
Thankfully, Cisse was ready to make an impression on his debut after his early introduction for the injured Best - and what an impression it was!
The new Number 9 made it 2-1 with a sublime left-footed drive into the roof of the Gallowgate net and his every touch thereafter was met with a heightened anticipation from the euphoric crowd at SJP.
Sadly, the supporters were brought back down to earth with a bump in the next game as Newcastle conceded five in London for the second time in three weeks.
This time, it was Spurs who were United's torturers in the week that their boss Harry Redknapp was acquitted in his tax fraud trial and the England manager's position became available following Fabio Capello's resignation.
Capello's replacement would ultimately be West Brom manager Roy Hodgson but Redknapp's Spurs gave a fine reference at the time in a crushing 5-0 win.
Former Magpie Louis Saha scored twice as the home side were four goals clear after the half-hour mark. Thankfully, Tottenham relented after the break with only Emmanuel Adebayor's effort to show for their complete control.
A game against rock-bottom Wolves seemed the perfect fixture for Newcastle following that thrashing but, having shown plenty of inconsistency between games in January and February, the Magpies showed it within the 90 minutes in this match.
Cisse gave United the lead with his second in black-and-white before Gutierrez scored his third goal in three games against his favourite opponents - all within 20 minutes.
That should have been the signal for United to go on and record a handsome win against the dispirited strugglers but, instead, the Magpies ambled to half time with their lead.
It was indeed a mistake and two of the scrappiest goals you will ever see - from Matt Jarvis and Kevin Doyle - rescued an ultimately worthless draw for Wolves. This was definitely two points dropped by United and the disappointment came with Sunderland at home next on the calendar.
The Mackems had enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence after replacing 'Plastic Geordie' Steve Bruce with a boyhood fan Martin O'Neill though they too had suffered a dreadful result on the previous weekend, losing 4-0 to West Brom.
Nevertheless, the Mackems began a bad-tempered affair on top and took the lead through Nicklas Bendtner's penalty after Mike Williamson had senselessly tugged Michael Turner to the ground.
Sunderland held their 1-0 advantage until half time and looked comfortable enough in the second period after seeing off a spell of United pressure.
Then, just before the hour, the game changed as the Mackems' main threat Stephane Sessegnon stupidly got himself sent off.
Wave after wave of attacks followed from the black-and-white shirts and it looked as if the home side had their just desserts with just 10 minutes left when Mackem slayer Ameobi won a penalty.
Strangely, the ball ended up in Ba's hands but he could only shoot weakly at Simon Mignolet as Sunderland eyed only their second derby win in 15 attempts.
But Ameobi would not let it lie, scrambling the ball into the net in the 92nd minute for his seventh goal in this fixture to seal his legendary status among the Geordie faithful.
This may have only been one more point towards a European place - but it was so much more than that - though, with United still chasing the Champions League, Arsenal away also carried extra significance.
Ben Arfa gave Newcastle an early lead at the Emirates but the dream start was dashed when eventual Premier League Golden Boot winner Robin van Persie hit back within 60 seconds.
The Gunners went on to dominate much of the rest of the game though it looked as if Newcastle's defence would hold firm. There was certainly no chance of another collapse, as had happened against Fulham and Spurs.
Indeed, a throw deep into the Arsenal half late on in the match seemed to offer Newcastle the chance of an impressive away scalp. Unfortunately, possession was given up cheaply, the Gunners broke quickly and Thomas Vermaelen was able to hit an unmarked winner in the 95th minute.
Just as the Mackems had felt it at St James Park eight days earlier, the Geordies were feeling it now. It was absolutely heart-breaking, totally gut-wrenching.
It also left Newcastle's season at a cross roads. Still in 6th place, five points clear of Liverpool, United had fallen eight points off the pace of the top-four.
An impressive challenge threatened to fade away with the return fixture against Carling Cup winners Liverpool on the horizon. It looked as if Newcastle may have to settle for the still not-inconsiderable achievement of 7th but even that could not be guaranteed.
First, though, Newcastle had to deal with Norwich and West Brom who had combined to put seven past United in the run-up to Christmas.
Against Norwich at Carrow Road, Holt had a field day but he was strangely absent from proceeding at St James Park until a late substitute appearance.
But, by then, United had long established a lead - albeit a narrow one - after Cisse intentionally sliced a right-footed volley in the top corner to match his debut goal with his other foot against Villa.
Newcastle knew they would have to play a lot better away at West Brom to take three points from the Hawthorns.
As it happened, Newcastle did not just play a bit better but produced perhaps their performance of the season - including the home win over Man United - to blow away the Baggies in half an hour.
A three-pronged attack of Ba, Cisse and Ben Arfa conjured up memories of the days of the Sky-acclaimed Entertainers when Andy Cole, Peter Beardsley and Robert Lee filled those roles.
West Brom just could not live with United in that opening half an hour, Cisse and Ben Arfa setting the away side on their way with two goals in the opening 12 minutes.
It was 3-0 on 34 minutes when Cisse scored his second after great work by Ba and an intelligent pull-back by Ben Arfa.
And, though the Baggies pulled a goal back shortly after half time after a mix-up between Krul and Williamson, Newcastle regained their composure to ensure they headed into the game against Liverpool eight points ahead of their Merseyside rivals.
That became an 11-point lead as United followed up what in my opinion was their best performance of the season with easily the best all-round day of entertainment.
Often it is the Mackems who have a squad full of clowns but, this year, it was Liverpool. The Reds were simply dreadful in the 2-0 victory for the Toon.
Embarrassing from the very start when Andy Carroll dived in an attempt to win an early penalty, Cisse soon showed him how to put the ball in the net with a header from Ben Arfa's cross.
Cisse scored his fourth goal inside a week shortly after the break after being set up by Ben Arfa again before Jose Enrique ended up going in goal following Pepe Reina's sending off for an altercation with the vastly improved James Perch.
On April Fool's Day, it was Enrique who played the part of the fool, his prediction that Newcastle would never again challenge in the top six coming back to haunt him, as 50,000 fans were happy to remind him.
Carroll was withdrawn then aimed a sweary rant at manager Kenny Dalglish and perhaps the only thing missing was Enrique picking the ball out of the net.
In truth, though, Newcastle had already done more than enough to give Dalglish good reason to look as miserable as he usually does.
The Scot may have been a Liverpool legend in the past, and ended up winning the Carling Cup and getting the Reds to the FA Cup Final this time around.
But, just as 13th in the Premier League and playing for a 0-0 draw in the Cup Final was underwhelming for Newcastle fans in 1997/98, eighth place was clearly unacceptable for Liverpool.
The Reds were now a long way back in the rear-view mirror and Newcastle - with three league wins in a row for the first time since November - were ready to extend that sequence.
Extend it, they did, as United enjoyed a perfect Easter weekend with two 2-0 wins. The first victory, at Swansea was remarkable in that the Magpies let the Swans almost permanently own the ball.
Match statistics showed the Welsh side had 77% of the possession but their problem was they were left chasing the game after Cisse's early goal.
When another rare Newcastle attack, with 20 minutes left, doubled the lead, Swansea were finished as a force in this game.
However, it had taken an outrageous chip from Cisse to give United the cushion as he scored his third brace in three games.
Victory over Bolton on Easter Monday was similar to the win over the Trotters on Boxing Day. A soporific performance from both sides had produced little of note in the opening hour but the feeling of an end-of-season match was then broken by - who else? - but Ben Arfa.
Picking the ball up on the edge of his own box, the Frenchman drove forward, beating a couple of men on the halfway line before continuing his run to the box. There, he beat another couple of defenders before nonchalantly flicking the ball wide of advancing goalkeeper Adam Bogdan for 1-0 lead and another unbelievable memory.
The goal was so special that it seemed to lift the mood inside the stadium and United were soon 2-0 up when Cisse converted Ameobi's inch-perfect cross.
Less than a week later, Newcastle's place in Europe was confirmed without them kicking a ball as Chelsea and Liverpool reached the Cup Final, meaning a the minimum of a top-seven place would be enough.
Back at St James Park, meanwhile, Stoke were put to the sword as United made it six wins in a row with another comprehensive performance.
The Magpies were quick out of the blocks this time, taking a 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes thanks to Cabaye's close-range finish and Cisse's shot across the goalkeeper following Cabaye's outstanding through-ball.
And, unlike in the match against Wolves in February - when a comfortable two-goal advantage was given up - Newcastle were not in such a charitable mood.
Some chances early in the second half did come and go but Cabaye soon put an end to the matter by hitting a low shot from the edge of the box with still 33 minutes left.
Newcastle were top of the form guide and had clawed their way back into the top four and the Champions League chase... so it was predictable what would happen next away at Wigan Athletic.
In fairness, Wigan were in fine form themselves, having recently beaten Man United and Arsenal, but the nature of the defeat - a 4-0 thumping with all the goals by half time - was hugely disappointing.
Certainly, Newcastle have lost fewer games this season than most people expected but, baring in mind the collapses to Fulham and Tottenham earlier, it seemed that when they were bad, they were horrid.
At least it was within Newcastle's capability to recover well from a blow. The Magpies did this again by extending their unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge since returning to the Premier League to three games.
The 2-0 away win - Newcastle's seventh on the road in 2011/12 - was, however, a first league success at the Blues' home since 1986... and, once again, United were indebted to Cisse for the win.
Cisse's first goal wasn't bad, a dipping left-foot volley from the edge of the box. But the second goal in stoppage time was breathtaking as the Senegal striker basically leathered the ball off the outside of his right foot from out of the left wing.
An incredible effort which was an apt way just about to bring down the curtain on a simply incredible season.
But before backs could be formally patted, there was the small matter of title-chasing Man City in the final home game of the season.
United allowed the Blues to take the initiative early on in a fast-paced game but the Magpies came more and more into the game as the first half wore on.
As the match entered its final 20 minutes, it was still 0-0 - but, just as United fans were hoping to push for a famous victory, Yaya Toure - scorer of the winner in the FA Cup semi final and final last season - popped up with a deflected goal.
Toure scored again in stoppage time to seal the win for Man City, United caught out at the back having gamely poured forward in search of an equaliser. The Blue Moon was rising.
Meanwhile, Newcastle's final excursion was to Goodison Park - never the happiest hunting ground, although those who witnessed Ben Arfa's brilliant introduction to English football in September 2010 may disagree.
Unforunately, there was none of that on this occasion as the Toffees confirmed their customary strong second half to a season in a 3-1 win against a Toon side bedecked in their new burgundy change strip.
The Merseysiders were, in fact, 2-0 up in half an hour through Steven Pienaar and Nikola Jelavic - two January signings who did much to lift the spirit in David Moyes' team.
And it was 3-0 midway through the second half when Heitinga made up for his own goal at St James' by scoring in the right net this time.
Another Spurs-type capitulation looked like it could be on the cards but, as the match wore on, Everton eased off and indeed aided the Magpies' cause with a second own goal of the season against the Toon - this time scored by Tony Hibbert.
That means Newcastle have to go back to Cisse's wonder strike against Chelsea for their last 'proper' goal of this campaign - or at least that is how I would like to remember it, over a poxy OG.
But, while there could be many nominations for Player of the Season from all over the pitch, my Man of the Season has to be someone intentionally not mentioned in this review until now... Alan Pardew.
The manager has done a magnificent job and, considering the reception he received on his arrival - not least by this correspondent - the man who was expected to fail has instead built the most exciting and competent team since the Robson era.
Pardew's travails will undoubtedly continue as he faces a struggle keeping this squad together but he now at least has three cup competitions with which to keep them happy.
Some dismiss - or even deride - the Europa League but a club which has not won anything of note since 1969 cannot afford to be so snooty.
For, while it is already a tough ask to repeat the feat of fifth place in the Premier League next season, a mid-table finish and some decent cup runs would be more than satisfactory for me.
Incidentally, one of the few disappointing factors of the Pardew reign has been the lack of cup progress with the defeats to Stevenage and Brighton in the FA Cup especially poor.
In mitigation, both of those losses occurred while United's eyes were on bigger prizes - in 2010/11, Newcastle's aim was simply to stay up. Last season was all about getting into Europe through the league.
Next season, hopefully, the retained squad will still be good enough to ensure a mid-table place anyway, allowing a proper attack on the Cups.
After all, football is still about winning things and - for the first time in almost a decade - Newcastle look like they might be able to crack it. Ho'way the Lads!
NUFC PROGRESS CHART 2011/12
NUFC 2011/12 LEAGUE RESULTS IN FULL
| Date | Fixture | TV | Result | Scorers | Points | Pos |
| 13.08.2011 | Arsenal (H) | ESPN | D0-0 | 1 | 10 | |
| 20.08.2011 | Sunderland (A) | W1-0 | R Taylor | 4 | 4 | |
| 28.08.2011 | Fulham (H) | W2-1 | Best (2) | 7 | 6 | |
| 12.09.2011 | Queens Park Rangers (A) | Sky | D0-0 | 8 | 4 | |
| 17.09.2011 | Aston Villa (A) | D1-1 | Best | 9 | 4 | |
| 24.09.2011 | Blackburn Rovers (H) | W3-1 | Ba (3) | 12 | 4 | |
| 01.10.2011 | Wolverhampton W (A) | W2-1 | Ba, Gutierrez | 15 | 3 | |
| 16.10.2011 | Tottenham Hotspur (H) | Sky | D2-2 | Ba, Ameobi | 16 | 4 |
| 22.10.2011 | Wigan Athletic (H) | W1-0 | Cabaye | 19 | 4 | |
| 31.10.2011 | Stoke City (A) | Sky | W3-1 | Ba (3) | 22 | 3 |
| 05.11.2011 | Everton (H) | Sky | W2-1 | R Taylor, OG | 25 | 3 |
| 19.11.2011 | Manchester City (A) | L1-3 | Gosling | 25 | 3 | |
| 26.11.2011 | Manchester United (A) | D1-1 | Ba | 26 | 4 | |
| 03.12.2011 | Chelsea (H) | Sky | L0-3 | 26 | 6 | |
| 10.12.2011 | Norwich City (A) | L2-4 | Ba (2) | 26 | 7 | |
| 17.12.2011 | Swansea City (H) | D0-0 | 27 | 6 | ||
| 21.12.2011 | West Bromwich Alb (H) | L2-3 | Ba (2) | 27 | 7 | |
| 26.12.2011 | Bolton Wanderers (A) | W2-0 | Ben Arfa, Ba | 30 | 7 | |
| 30.12.2011 | Liverpool (A) | Sky | L1-3 | OG | 30 | 7 |
| 04.01.2012 | Manchester United (H) | Sky | W3-0 | Ba, Cabaye, OG | 33 | 7 |
| 15.01.2012 | Queens Park Rangers (H) | Sky | W1-0 | Best | 36 | 6 |
| 21.01.2012 | Fulham (A) | L2-5 | Guthrie, Ben Arfa | 36 | 6 | |
| 01.02.2012 | Blackburn Rovers (A) | W2-0 | OG, Obertan | 39 | 5 | |
| 05.02.2012 | Aston Villa (H) | Sky | W2-1 | Ba, Cisse | 42 | 5 |
| 11.02.2012 | Tottenham Hotspur (A) | ESPN | L0-5 | 42 | 6 | |
| 25.02.2012 | Wolverhampton W (H) | D2-2 | Cisse, Gutierrez | 43 | 6 | |
| 04.03.2012 | Sunderland (H) | ESPN | D1-1 | Ameobi | 44 | 6 |
| 12.03.2012 | Arsenal (A) | Sky | L1-2 | Ben Arfa | 44 | 6 |
| 18.03.2012 | Norwich City (H) | Sky | W1-0 | Cisse | 47 | 6 |
| 25.03.2012 | West Bromwich Alb (A) | Sky | W3-1 | Cisse (2), Ben Arfa | 50 | 6 |
| 01.04.2012 | Liverpool (H) | Sky | W2-0 | Cisse (2) | 53 | 6 |
| 06.04.2012 | Swansea City (A) | Sky | W2-0 | Cisse (2) | 56 | 5 |
| 09.04.2012 | Bolton Wanderers (H) | W2-0 | Ben Arfa, Cisse | 59 | 5 | |
| 21.04.2012 | Stoke City (H) | W3-0 | Cabaye (2), Cisse | 62 | 4 | |
| 28.04.2012 | Wigan Athletic (A) | L0-4 | 62 | 4 | ||
| 02.05.2012 | Chelsea (A) | W2-0 | Cisse (2) | 65 | 5 | |
| 06.05.2012 | Manchester City (H) | Sky | L0-2 | 65 | 5 | |
| 13.05.2012 | Everton (A) | L1-3 | OG | 65 | 5 | |
A SEASON FULL OF MAGIC MOMENTS
August:
*Ryan 'Over-the-Wall' Taylor scores the winner v Sunderland
September:
*Ba turns and shoots for the first of his hat-trick v Blackburn Rovers
October:
*Ameobi leathers a late equaliser v Tottenham Hotspur
*Cabaye's late cracker v Wigan Athletic
*Newcastle hit THREE last-minute goals in the League Cup v Blackburn Rovers. And still lose.
November:
*Ryan Taylor's dipping strike v Everton
December:*Er, nothing much to see here
January:
*Ba over-the-shoulder v Manchester United
*Cabaye's free-kick in-off the bar v Manchester United
*Ben Arfa bamboozles Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup
February:
*Cisse takes out the Gallowgate net on his debut v Aston Villa
March:
*Shola leaves it late to slay the Mackems this year
*Cisse intentionally slices his shot v Norwich City
*Ba, Ben Arfa and Cisse tear apart West Bromwich Albion
April:
*The whole of the Liverpool home game - from the moment Carroll was booked for diving to the moment Jose 'We're in the Top Six' Enrique ended up playing in nets
*Cisse's outrageous chip v Swansea
*Ben Arfa runs the length of the field and scores v Bolton Wanderers
May:
*Cisse's first goal v Chelsea
*Cisse's SECOND GOAL! v Chelsea
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