VIEW: United vs Newcastle (a). 0-0
I Heard 'Em Say...
Seven-up but no champagne. Manchester United stretched their lead to seven points over Arsenal, and still remain favourites for a record 19th title, but this was another case of more travails on their travels.
So imperious at home, where they have dropped only two points from 48, Sir Alex Ferguson’s team have now taken only 24 points from a possible 51 on the road. They will be pleased to get back to their Old Trafford fastness for Saturday’s game with Everton. Their mood will also be lifted if Tottenham Hotspur thwart Arsenal on Wednesday evening.
The match never quite veered away from deadlock and even its sole controversy lacked substance. In stoppage time Javier Hernández moved across the Newcastle United right-back Danny Simpson but it was hard to tell if there was significant contact to leave the Mexican on the turf. The referee, Lee Probert, was confident of his own penalty area interpretation and booked the Manchester United attacker.
Despite that this was not an evening for controversy or, for that matter, surprise. It was a typical outcome for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, who have now drawn nine of their 17 away matches in the Premier League. There is a lack of verve in that record but the challenge to Arsenal in pursuit is still a stern one. Arsène Wenger's team will have to record a victory at White Hart Lane to move to within four points of the leaders.
All in all, stalemate at St James' Park was a useful outcome. When Newcastle had called for a penalty of their own after an hour Probert was entitled to be unimpressed by the readiness of Peter Lovenkrands to go to ground, although there might have been a trace of contact from Anderson. Nothing came to fruition. The one notable aspect lay in the jaded look of the United side. They had also been flat when beaten in the FA Cup semi-final as Manchester City took command after half an hour and never relinquished it again. The likeliest conclusion must be that United will take the title but only by grinding their way towards it.
Match Conclusion
Manchester United failed to capitalise on Arsenal losing two points against Liverpool on Sunday in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United. As stated, United haven’t failed to score at St James’ Park since the 1999/2000 season, where Duncan Ferguson volleyed passed a helpless Mark Bosnich. Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney both could have opened the scoring for United in the first half, whilst Ryan Giggs had a glorious opportunity in the second half to hit the back of the net from eight yards, but blasted wide. Sir Alex Ferguson will be disappointed with the result, however United have been here before and will know what pressures lie ahead. To get some perspective, in 95/96 United dropped three points in the last six games with a 3-1 loss away to Southampton (before going onto win a league and cup double), dropped six points in 98/99 with away draws against Leeds United, Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers (before winning a historic treble) and lastly in 2007/08 United dropped seven points in the last six games – drawing 2-2 away at Middlesbrough 1-1 away at Blackburn Rovers and losing 2-1 away at Chelsea (before winning the league and European Cup).
There will be many twists and turns ahead in the final five games, but Ferguson and United have been here before and will no doubt be ready for the challenges. Newcastle United performed very well first half and are now on 40 points, which should mean safety for next season. It will be interesting to see how United bounce back against Everton, who have been in good form of late, on Saturday and of course whether Dimitar Berbatov will play or not. His omission from the side drew similar comparisons with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s exclusion from the League Cup final in 2006 (even though the Dutchman actually made the bench that afternoon). Ruud was soon on his way in May, I have not idea whether or not the same fate lies for Berbatov.
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