Final Score from Old Trafford;
Manchester United 0

Newcastle United 0

I'm quite surprised that we drew, considering manures have been on form. We should have had a penalty, and they scored but i dunno why it was disallowed. didnt see too much nudgin. but we drew at their turf. im happy wit tt. here's a interestin review of last nite's match...

Toon on the rise by Soccernet.com - The Insider


The aggrieved: Shearer and Silvestre (LaurenceGriffiths/GettyImages)

'Make no mistake, this is a massive season for us.'

The words of Newcastle United chairman Freddie Shepherd on the eve of the 2003-4 campaign.

After spending £43million in the last two years and securing fourth and third placed finishes in the Premiership, the Geordies hoped they would force their way into the top two.

It became apparent by mid-September that this just wasn't going to happen. In fact, until the start of October, Newcastle were sitting with the sides hovering around the relegation zone.

A bad run of injuries and alleged antics off-the pitch - surprisingly none of them involving that paragon of virtue Lee Bowyer - didn't help. But that didn't prevent a recent blast from Shepherd, who accused the team of putting in Mini performances for Rolls-Royce wages.

Those words may well have had an effect today as Newcastle earned a deserved 0-0 draw at the home of the title holders to keep their Champions League aspirations very much alive.

Since their mauling at Chelsea on November 9, Newcastle have grown steadily in confidence and moved steadily towards fielding a full-strength team.

That confidence - and composure - was in evidence at Old Trafford. This was a frustrating afternoon for the champions, who looked tired at times.

However, Newcastle deserve much credit for their belief, defensive discipline and a doggedness which was required when the champions threatened to score the decisive goal during second-half pressure.

The fact Liverpool, and not Newcastle, remain favourites for the fourth Champions League spot should not deter Sir Bobby Robson. If his team play like this consistently, they have every chance of securing what will be the last Golden ticket available, with the top three surely all-but decided, in whatever order.

This affair may have been committed but the respect from both sides towards each other was clear from the moment Sir Alex Ferguson and Paul Scholes were presented with their manager and player of the month awards for December prior to kick-off - one of the 67,000 fans applauding was fellow knight of the realm, Sir Bobby Robson.

The two managers are not only friends but gentlemen - two of the old school whose respect and warmth for each other is very clear.

As for the match itself, it focused on two incidents which both managers commented fairly upon. Newcastle had valid claims for a penalty when Tim Howard caught Alan Shearer after 25 minutes but referee Paul Durkin didn't award a spot-kick. Shearer possibly didn't help his cause with a slightly over-theatrical tumble.

It was also difficult to see why Mikael Silvestre's 65th-minute goal was disallowed. As with the penalty claim, TV replays suggested the official got the decision wrong as well.

Ferguson said himself that the goal should have stood and that Newcastle should have had a penalty.

Praise Mr Durkin though, who generally officiated the match well and, in keeping with the encounter, had the honesty afterwards to explain his decisions to the television cameras - admitting he probably should have awarded the visitors the penalty that Shearer was adamant they should have had.

That aside, the first half belonged to Newcastle, although chances were few. Two long-range efforts by Laurent Robert never looked like troubling Tim Howard but were a measure of the visitors' confidence.


Nol Solano and Tim Howard in battle (MikeEgerton/Empics)

Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre made important blocks to stop Jonathan Woodgate (who makes a big difference to the Newcastle rearguard), while the luckless Andy O'Brien twice had to receive treatment for head and facial injuries and did well to soldier on.

Although Howard had to block and intercept other moments of danger, Newcastle could have gone unfairly behind on the stoke of half-time, although Ryan Giggs should have done more than direct a free header straight at Shay Given following Kleberson's pinpoint cross.

The Reds had played with composure of their own during the first half and after the re-start upped the tempo, although they did miss Giggs who failed to re-appear after sustaining a back injury. Although Jermaine Jenas hit the bar with a header, the champions were doing most of the attacking after the interval with Given making a number of important, if often straight forward saves.

Ultimately, honours were even with Ferguson's men finishing the day a point ahead at the summit of a title race which looks set to go down to the wire again. Whether this point apiece proves costly for one United or invaluable for another come the end of the season, only time will tell.

Man of the match: Jonathan Woodgate. Newcastle are a much better defensive unit when he plays.

Moment of the post-match: Referee Paul Durkin appears on TV to explain why he didn't award Newcastle a penalty and disallowed Silvestre's goal. A refreshingly honest approach and one applauded by Sir Bobby Robson.

Atmosphere: Cracking. Arguably the best two sets of supporters in the country.

Insider comment: Shearer came across a little bitter when interviewed by Sky after the match. Although he says otherwise, perhaps he realises he made the wrong decision in snubbing United for Newcastle seven-and-a-half years ago.

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