Tiote's late strike capped off a truly amazing comeback by Newcastle
By Paul Fletcher
Newcastle produced a stunning comeback from 4-0 down to earn a draw that shocked title hopefuls Arsenal.
Theo Walcott scored after 44 seconds before a Johan Djourou header and a strike from Robin van Persie put Arsenal 3-0 ahead inside 10 minutes.
Van Persie headed Arsenal's fourth but Abou Diaby saw red after the break for pushing Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan.
Barton scored penalties either side of a strike from Leon Best before Cheik Tiote's long-range equaliser.
It was a blistering strike from Tiote, who showed great technique to volley the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards with three minutes of normal time left.
The goal prompted wild celebrations inside St James' Park and completed one of the most remarkable second-half performances in the history of the Premier League.
Newcastle were completely blown away during the opening half of the match but worked up a head of steam after the interval that saw them score four goals in 19 minutes against a bruised and beleaguered Arsenal.
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The result is the perfect tonic for Newcastle, coming at the end of a week that saw the departure of Andy Carroll to Liverpool on Monday and an injury to Shola Ameobi during Wednesday's defeat at Fulham.
Arsenal could have kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester United, but they crumbled after the dismissal of Diaby.
The confidence and attacking flair that had characterised their play in the opening half was replaced after the break by a shaky and unsure side that could not defend a handsome lead against a team that had not won in their previous four games.
Arsenal had a frustrating time against the Magpies at the Emirates earlier in the season, creating a host of chances but eventually losing 1-0.
They quickly swept away those bad memories as their afternoon got off to the perfect start on Tyneside when Walcott struck the quickest goal of the day after recalled duo Diaby and Andrey Arshavin combined to send him through.
Fabricio Coloccini was momentarily level with Walcott but the England international quickly out-paced the Argentine before placing his shot in the bottom corner.
Arshavin then swung in a free-kick for a determined Djourou to head his first competitive goal for the Gunners.
As much as the visiting team were slicing open their opponents with decisive attacking play, Newcastle were also guilty of some abysmal defending.
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Walcott was given far too much space to pick out Van Persie with a crisp pull-back after Jose Enrique stood off him and the unmarked Dutchman gratefully guided the ball beyond Steve Harper.
Van Persie ghosted between Mike Williamson and Coloccini to head Arsenal's third and he almost completed a first-half hat-trick but Harper saved his low strike at his near post.
Arsenal's cause was not helped when centre-back Djourou limped off after 48 minutes to be replaced by Sebastien Squillaci.
But the pivotal moment in the match came after 50 minutes when Diaby was dismissed by referee Phil Dowd.
The France international completely lost his composure after he and Barton both challenged for a loose ball.
The Arsenal midfielder put one hand on the back of Barton's neck before pushing him to the floor and then shoved Nolan.
Keeper Wojciech Szczesny denied Danny Simpson seconds later but Newcastle's improvement was rewarded with a goal, Barton sending Szczesny the wrong way after Laurent Koscielny clumsily brought down Best.
An unsavoury incident followed the goal when Kevin Nolan tangled with Szczesny as he tried to retrieve the ball from the back of the net.
Newcastle just trying to avoid cricket score - Barton
Szczesny palmed clear a header from Williamson before Toon striker Best had a goal incorrectly ruled out for offside.
However, Best did make it 4-2 when he beat Clichy to a cross from Jose Enrique and shot beyond Szczesny from eight yards.
Some of the Newcastle supporters had appeared to leave at half-time, despondent at the scoreline, but by now the vast majority who remained were passionately roaring on their team.
And Newcastle scored again when Barton struck his second spot-kick after Koscielny was adjudged to have fouled Williamson as they challenged for an aerial ball.
And one of the most amazing comebacks was completed when Tiote smashed a strike from the edge of the box into the bottom corner after Arsenal failed to clear a free-kick.
90:00+5:34 The final whistle is blown by the referee.
90:00+4:15 The official flags Robin van Persie offside. Free kick taken by Steve Harper.
90:00+3:42 Sanchez Jose Enrique concedes a free kick for a foul on Jack Wilshere. Bacary Sagna takes the free kick.
90:00+3:42 Booking The referee books Sanchez Jose Enrique for unsporting behaviour.
90:00+3:00 The official flags Robin van Persie offside. Free kick taken by Steve Harper.
90:00+0:30 Effort from the edge of the penalty box by Kevin Nolan goes wide of the right-hand upright.
90:00+0:07 The offside flag is raised against Kevin Nolan. Wojciech Szczesny takes the indirect free kick.
88:42 Substitution Leon Best goes off and Danny Guthrie comes on.
86:56 GOAL - Cheik Tiote:Newcastle 4 - 4 Arsenal Cheik Tiote fires in a goal from outside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal.
86:21 Tomas Rosicky concedes a free kick for a foul on Joey Barton. Joey Barton crosses the ball in from the free kick.
85:56 Danny Simpson fouled by Tomas Rosicky, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Steve Harper.
83:39 Corner taken right-footed by Joey Barton from the left by-line, Headed effort from deep inside the area by Leon Best misses
to the right of the target.
82:52 The assist for the goal came from Mike Williamson.
82:52 GOAL - Joey Barton:Newcastle 3 - 4 Arsenal Joey Barton scores a placed penalty. Newcastle 3-4 Arsenal.
81:41 Jonas Gutierrez fouled by Francesc Fabregas, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed by Joey Barton, Unfair challenge
on Mike Williamson by Laurent Koscielny results in a Penalty.
81:41 Booking The referee shows Emmanuel Eboue a yellow card for dissent.
81:40 Booking The referee cautions Bacary Sagna for unsporting behaviour.
80:28 Jack Wilshere concedes a free kick for a foul on Joey Barton. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Joey Barton from
right wing, clearance by Laurent Koscielny.
79:32 The offside flag is raised against Cheik Tiote. Wojciech Szczesny takes the indirect free kick.
78:05 Substitution Emmanuel Eboue replaces Theo Walcott.
77:32 The ball is sent over by Danny Simpson, save by Wojciech Szczesny.
76:36 A cross is delivered by Joey Barton, save by Wojciech Szczesny.
76:29 Jonas Gutierrez crosses the ball.
75:44 Corner taken right-footed by Joey Barton from the right by-line, Header on goal by Leon Best from inside the box goes harmlessly
over the target.
75:29 Nile Ranger takes a shot. Save by Wojciech Szczesny.
74:25 The assist for the goal came from Sanchez Jose Enrique.
74:25 GOAL - Leon Best:Newcastle 2 - 4 Arsenal Leon Best scores a goal from close range to the bottom left corner of the goal. Newcastle 2-4 Arsenal.
73:15 The referee blows for offside against Leon Best. Wojciech Szczesny takes the free kick.
72:35 Substitution Nile Ranger replaces Peter Lovenkrands.
72:20 Jonas Gutierrez produces a cross, Mike Williamson takes a shot. Save made by Wojciech Szczesny.
71:57 Joey Barton takes a short corner.
70:04 Francesc Fabregas fouled by Cheik Tiote, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Gael Clichy.
69:16 Booking Kevin Nolan receives a caution.
68:59 The assist for the goal came from Leon Best.
68:44 Booking Wojciech Szczesny is given a yellow card.
68:41 Substitution Tomas Rosicky is brought on as a substitute for Andrey Arshavin.
67:59 GOAL - Joey Barton:Newcastle 1 - 4 Arsenal Placed penalty scored by Joey Barton. Newcastle 1-4 Arsenal.
66:38 Corner taken by Joey Barton, Laurent Koscielny challenges Leon Best unfairly and gives away a Penalty.
66:13 Robin van Persie takes a shot. Danny Simpson gets a block in.
64:26 Corner taken by Joey Barton from the left by-line, Leon Best has a headed effort at goal from deep inside the area missing
to the right of the goal.
64:00 The referee blows for offside against Francesc Fabregas. Steve Harper takes the indirect free kick.
62:03 Bacary Sagna fouled by Sanchez Jose Enrique, the ref awards a free kick. Robin van Persie crosses the ball from the free kick
left-footed from right wing, clearance by Kevin Nolan.
61:23 Robin van Persie fouled by Danny Simpson, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Gael Clichy.
59:32 Corner taken by Robin van Persie, Steve Harper makes a save.
57:37 The assistant referee signals for offside against Theo Walcott. Free kick taken by Steve Harper.
56:56 Kevin Nolan takes a shot. Save made by Wojciech Szczesny.
55:34 Danny Simpson takes a shot. Save made by Wojciech Szczesny. Corner taken by Joey Barton.
53:53 Free kick awarded for a foul by Cheik Tiote on Andrey Arshavin. Free kick taken by Francesc Fabregas.
53:46 The ball is swung over by Leon Best.
52:24 Unfair challenge on Gael Clichy by Joey Barton results in a free kick. Wojciech Szczesny takes the indirect free kick.
52:08 Kevin Nolan takes a shot. Blocked by Laurent Koscielny.
49:34 Sent off Red card for Vassiriki Diaby.
49:33 Vassiriki Diaby concedes a free kick for a foul on Joey Barton. Joey Barton takes the direct free kick.
48:58 Free kick awarded for a foul by Peter Lovenkrands on Francesc Fabregas. Direct free kick taken by Gael Clichy.
48:31 Unfair challenge on Jack Wilshere by Danny Simpson results in a free kick. Francesc Fabregas restarts play with the free kick.
47:34 Substitution Sebastien Squillaci joins the action as a substitute, replacing Johan Djourou.
45:01 The referee gets the second half underway.
Half Time
45:00+4:01 The match has reached half-time.
45:00+2:23 Unfair challenge on Joey Barton by Vassiriki Diaby results in a free kick. Strike comes in from Joey Barton from the free
kick, Jack Wilshere gets a block in. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Joey Barton from the right by-line, Headed effort
from deep inside the penalty area by Mike Williamson misses to the right of the target.
45:00+1:13 Robin van Persie has a drilled shot. Steve Harper makes a save. Francesc Fabregas takes a short corner. Francesc Fabregas
takes a inswinging corner to the near post.
44:07 Theo Walcott takes a shot. Save by Steve Harper.
43:50 Sanchez Jose Enrique crosses the ball, clearance made by Johan Djourou.
43:12 The referee blows for offside against Leon Best. Indirect free kick taken by Gael Clichy.
42:48 Fabricio Coloccini fouled by Gael Clichy, the ref awards a free kick. Fabricio Coloccini takes the free kick.
41:02 Shot from deep inside the area by Robin van Persie clears the crossbar.
37:44 Joey Barton takes a outswinging corner.
35:27 Sanchez Jose Enrique challenges Theo Walcott unfairly and gives away a free kick. Robin van Persie crosses the ball from the
free kick left-footed from right wing, Danny Simpson makes a clearance. Francesc Fabregas takes a short corner.
34:43 The official flags Leon Best offside. Wojciech Szczesny takes the free kick.
33:19 Fabricio Coloccini has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the goal.
32:41 Joey Barton takes the inswinging corner, save by Wojciech Szczesny.
32:19 Jack Wilshere gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Cheik Tiote. Indirect free kick taken by Sanchez Jose Enrique.
30:00 Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Joey Barton.
29:41 Centre by Joey Barton.
29:03 Joey Barton takes a outswinging corner.
27:25 The referee blows for offside. Johan Djourou takes the free kick.
25:52 Assist by Bacary Sagna.
25:52 GOAL - Robin van Persie:Newcastle 0 - 4 Arsenal Robin van Persie scores a headed goal from close range. Newcastle 0-4 Arsenal.
25:03 Laurent Koscielny takes a shot. Blocked by Joey Barton.
24:22 Kevin Nolan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Francesc Fabregas. Robin van Persie crosses the ball from the
free kick left-footed from right channel, Mike Williamson manages to make a clearance.
24:07 Shot by Theo Walcott from 25 yards. Blocked by Sanchez Jose Enrique.
23:28 Francesc Fabregas takes a shot. Save by Steve Harper.
21:44 Vassiriki Diaby produces a right-footed shot from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.
20:25 Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Joey Barton.
19:58 Free kick awarded for a foul by Johan Djourou on Leon Best. Joey Barton takes the direct free kick.
19:22 Header from close range by Leon Best misses to the right of the target.
18:17 The offside flag is raised against Leon Best. Laurent Koscielny takes the indirect free kick.
16:14 Robin van Persie decides to take the corner short.
14:19 The ball is delivered by Andrey Arshavin.
13:16 Danny Simpson delivers the ball, Bacary Sagna fouled by Leon Best, the ref awards a free kick. Wojciech Szczesny restarts
play with the free kick.
12:36 Robin van Persie concedes a free kick for a foul on Mike Williamson. Cheik Tiote takes the free kick.
12:14 The ball is sent over by Danny Simpson, Wojciech Szczesny makes a save.
11:39 Theo Walcott takes a shot from deep inside the box clearing the bar.
11:07 Short corner taken by Francesc Fabregas from the right by-line.
10:47 Theo Walcott challenges Sanchez Jose Enrique unfairly and gives away a free kick. Sanchez Jose Enrique restarts play with
the free kick.
9:45 The assist for the goal came from Theo Walcott.
9:45 GOAL - Robin van Persie:Newcastle 0 - 3 Arsenal Goal scored by Robin van Persie from deep inside the penalty area low into the middle of the goal. Newcastle 0-3 Arsenal.
9:01 The assistant referee signals for offside against Leon Best. Johan Djourou takes the free kick.
8:25 The referee gives a free kick against Kevin Nolan for handball. Free kick taken by Wojciech Szczesny.
7:57 Kevin Nolan delivers the ball, clearance made by Laurent Koscielny.
7:17 The official flags Theo Walcott offside. Free kick taken by Steve Harper.
5:07 Mike Williamson fouled by Robin van Persie, the ref awards a free kick. Steve Harper takes the direct free kick.
4:32 Mike Williamson gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Robin van Persie. Francesc Fabregas takes the free kick.
4:08 Effort from outside the box by Joey Barton goes wide right of the target.
2:44 Andrey Arshavin provided the assist for the goal.
2:44 GOAL - Johan Djourou:Newcastle 0 - 2 Arsenal Johan Djourou finds the net with a headed goal from inside the area. Newcastle 0-2 Arsenal.
2:12 Unfair challenge on Francesc Fabregas by Danny Simpson results in a free kick. Andrey Arshavin crosses the ball,
1:53 Free kick awarded for a foul by Robin van Persie on Cheik Tiote. Joey Barton takes the free kick.
0:42 Andrey Arshavin provided the assist for the goal.
0:42 GOAL - Theo Walcott:Newcastle 0 - 1 Arsenal Theo Walcott fires in a goal from inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal.
0:00 The game begins.
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
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