Newcastle 1-0 Norwich: 6 Things We Learned

2. Cabaye Getting Into Top Gear

It€™s plain to see that without Cheick Tiote in the midfield, Cabaye has to do a lot more running in order to get on the ball, meaning the playmaker suffered in the early games of this season. It didn€™t help that International duty with France at the Euro€™s ruined his pre-season and left him an exhausted shell. Against Norwich though it looked as though his fitness and his form were rapidly coming back to him. The Frenchman had 97 touches of the ball (compared to Norwich€™s highest midfielder who got just 64), had near 80% pass accuracy and made 4 tackles. A solitary foul is the only blemish on his record but it was conceded when Norwich were about to counter-attack and Cabaye, as is his way, managed to charm himself out of a yellow card. With Tiote regaining match-fitness, Newcastle fans are eagerly awaiting the reuniting of their dynamic midfield duo who, when both fit, are a match for any midfield pairing in the Premier League.