Southgate demands Boro response after Albion rout

September 20, 2009

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate warned his players to use the embarrassment of their 5-0 thrashing by West Bromwich Albion as a wake-up call for the rest of the Championship campaign.

Southgate was stunned by the size of Saturday’s defeat to their promotion rivals at the Riverside Stadium but he is determined to make sure his players learn the lessons of the humiliation.

Middlesbrough are still third in the table but the gap between them and leaders Albion looked vast as Roberto Di Matteo’s team ran riot.

“We’ve had an embarrassing defeat,” Southgate said. “I’ve learnt a lot about some people and it is better to know that now than later.

“We got exactly what we deserved. Credit to West Brom because they are a good side and they deserved to win the game. They have hit us with a sledgehammer.

“It has been a wake-up call. We have to make sure we use it to our advantage. We have to make sure it hurts and we have to make sure we respond properly next week against Coventry.”

Di Matteo believes the result will send a message to Albion’s promotion rivals: “We have put a statement out for the rest of the league.

“It was certainly one of our best performances so far and obviously we will take confidence from the performance. We have a very good group of players.”

Chris Brunt’s deflected free-kick put the Baggies in front after 17 minutes and the midfielder then pounced on a poor clearance to score his second goal from long-range in the 31st minute.

Youssouf Mulumbu’s header made it 3-0 before half-time and late strikes from Roman Bednar and Jerome Thomas compounded the misery for Gareth Southgate’s third placed team.

Newcastle, relegated from the top-flight last season, stayed second after a 3-1 victory over struggling Plymouth but boss Chris Hughton wasn’t completely convinced by the display.

Steven Taylor opened the scoring in the sixth minute before Karl Duguid’s 50th minute equaliser gave Plymouth hope.

Kevin Nolan had converted substitute Danny Guthrie’s 61st minute cross to restore Newcastle’s lead and Argyle, who made a 818-mile round-trip to Tyneside, were beaten when Andy Carroll struck in the 84th minute.

“There were periods of the game where we made hard work of it,” Hughton said. “For whatever reason, we weren’t able to sustain it and of course the longer the game goes without getting that second one, they Plymouth are lifted by the occasion and feel they can get something.”

Ipswich boss Roy Keane admitted he is in for a long season after South African midfielder Quinton Fortune stepped off the bench to earn Doncaster a 3-3 draw at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Keane’s side remain winless and in the bottom three after their worst start to a season for 45 years.

“I think we gave bad goals away,” Keane said. “It’s certainly going to be one of those seasons where it’s going to be a long, tough battle for us and we’re going to have to give some players the benefit of the doubt as they settle into the football club both on and off the pitch.

“We’ve got one or two injuries and we’re lacking a bit of confidence as you would expect, but no one is going to hand us a victory. We’ve got to keep battling away and do it for ourselves.”

Elsewhere, Preston defeated Coventry 3-2 to keep up their promotion push, while QPR won 2-0 at Cardiff and Peterborough came from two goals down to beat Reading 3-2.

Crystal Palace ended their poor run with a 1-0 win over Derby and Blackpool won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest.

Bristol City drew 1-1 with Scunthorpe, Barnsley shared a goalless draw with Swansea and Leicester drew 3-3 at Watford.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Andy Carroll, baggies, bristol city, cardiff, chris brunt, Chris Hughton, crystal palace, Danny Guthrie, Doncaster, equaliser, free kick, gap, gareth southgate, jerome thomas, karl duguid, Keepmoat Stadium, Kevin Nolan, leicester, london, midfielder, NEWCASTLE, Nottingham, peterborough, Plymouth, Preston, Quinton Fortune, riverside stadium, roberto di matteo, roman bednar, roy keane, s promotion, sledgehammer, steven taylor, Swansea, top flight, wake up call, west brom, West Bromwich, west bromwich albion

Newcastle, West Brom escape in League Cup drama

August 27, 2009

Newcastle and West Bromwhich Albion, both relegated from the English Premier League last season, escaped an early League Cup exit on Wednesday as they edged seven-goal thrillers.

Both sides have made an impressive start to the Championship campaign but they were caught cold as Huddersfield and Rotherham of the third and fourth tier respectively made their illustrious hosts sweat for eventual 4-3 successes.

Newcastle’s Kevin Nolan netted an 84th-minute winner to see off a Huddersfield side managed by former Geordie favourite Lee Clark.

Danny Guthrie had opened the scoring for the Magpies, three wins in four league games to date, after 35 minutes, only for Theo Robinson to level almost from the restart.

Robinson then netted a penalty and Jordan Rhodes had the audcaity to make it 3-1 just two minutes into the second half.

But Newcastle rallied and veteran Geremi pulled a goal back before Shola Ameobi netted from the spot and then Nolan produced his clincher.

The action at the Hawthorns was no less dramatic as Simon Cox scored the winner in extra-time.

Craig Beattie had put Rotherham, in mid-table in League Two, the English professional game’s lowest tier, into a 10th-minute but Michael Cummins levelled on the half hour.

Graham Dorrans looked to have put the hosts en route for the win over 90 minutes in making it 2-1 but Tom Pope headed Rotherham level.

Beattie and Pope each netted their second in the extra half hour before Cox swept home the winner.

Tottenham had no such close call as they thrashed second tier side Doncaster 5-1 away with goals from Tom Huddlestone, Jamie O’Hara, Peter Crouch, David Bentley and Roman Pavlyuchenko with Martin Woods hitting a consolation penalty for Doncaster.

There was a shock as second tier Blackpool hammered Premier League side Wigan 4-1 while third tier Carlisle won 2-0 at Bristol City, a division above them.

Stoke meanwhile edged past third tier Leyton Orient 1-0 away and Cardiff, battling the likes of Newcastle and West Brom for promotion, saw off Bristol Rovers 3-1.

Tuesday’s action was marred by an outbreak of violence at the match between West Ham and local London rivals Millwall, which the Hammers won 3-1 in extra-time.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: ameobi, bristol city, Carlisle, Craig Beattie, Danny Guthrie, David Bentley, Doncaster, English Premier League, Geordie, geremi, Graham Dorrans, hawthorns, illustrious hosts, jordan, Kevin Nolan, Lee Clark, leyton orient, london, Martin Woods, michael cummins, mid table, minute winner, Nolan, o hara, professional game, Robinson, simon cox, Theo Robinson, tom huddlestone, tom pope, west brom, West Bromwhich, west ham

Magpies down Terriers in a seven-goal thriller

August 27, 2009

Newcastle came from 3-1 down to beat Huddersfield 4-3 after a seven-goal thriller at St James’ Park.

Kevin Nolan completed the Newcastle comeback with the winner six minutes from time to condemn Geordie hero Lee Clark to defeat on his return to Tyneside.

Newcastle, who had not conceded since the opening day of the season, trailed 3-1 two minutes into the second half after Theo Robinson’s double and Jordan Rhodes’ sixth goal of the season had more than cancelled out Danny Guthrie’s opener.

But Geremi and substitute Shola Ameobi, who converted a 64th-minute penalty for his fifth goal of the campaign, drew the home side level and set the stage for Nolan to win it at the death.

Caretaker boss Chris Hughton handed first senior starts to defender Tamas

Kadar, midfielder Kazenga LuaLua and striker Nile Ranger as he rested six of the men who started at Crystal Palace on Saturday – including Steven Taylor, who continues to be linked with a move away from St James’ Park.

Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies had to make the first save of the game when Geremi met Guthrie’s 23rd-minute corner with a powerful header, and the Cameroon international only just missed the target from the resulting corner from the opposite flank.

Nolan had a 33rd-minute strike ruled out for offside, but the Magpies did go in front three minutes later when Guthrie ran on to Anthony Pilkington’s misplaced pass and cut inside before firing a low left-foot shot past Smithies.

However, the lead lasted just seconds as Town surged forward straight from the kick-off – and Robinson ran through a statuesque defence to level.

Worse was to follow for the Magpies three minutes later when, after Robinson went down under Tim Krul’s challenge, much to the goalkeeper’s fury, referee Tony Bates pointed to the spot. The striker picked himself up to put the visitors in front.

Krul had to save well from Rhodes’ left-foot drive five minutes before the break as Clark’s men sensed an opportunity, but the home side held firm until the break.

Huddersfield went further ahead within two minutes of the restart when Rhodes collected Danny Drinkwater’s long ball and skipped around the advancing goalkeeper to score from a tight angle.

But the Magpies hit back immediately when Nolan picked out Geremi, and he calmly side-footed past Smithies.

Defender Andy Butler headed wide from Drinkwater’s corner on the hour, but it was his trip on Ameobi which allowed the Newcastle man to level from the penalty spot with 64 minutes gone.

Ameobi headed a 77th-minute Ryan Taylor just over as the home side looked for a winner, and it took a fine block by Joe Skarz to deny Ranger from point-blank range three minutes later.

But Newcastle finally went ahead with seven minutes remaining when Ameobi headed Guthrie’s free-kick back across goal, and Nolan tapped into the empty net.

Abhimanyu Rajput

Tags: Alex Smithies, ameobi, Andy Butler, Anthony Pilkington, cameroon, caretaker boss, Clark, crystal palace, Danny Drinkwater, Danny Guthrie, fifth goal, Geordie, geremi, goal thriller, james park, Joe Skarz, Kadar, Kevin Nolan, Lee Clark, left foot, lualua, magpies, NEWCASTLE, offside, pilkington, sixth goal, smithies, St James, st james park, steven taylor, target, Theo Robinson, tim krul, Tony Bates, town goalkeeper

Disallowed Viduka goal leaves Magpies on brink

May 17, 2009

NEWCASTLE, England (AFP) – Mark Viduka endured an afternoon of frustration as he failed to find a way past fellow Australian Mark Schwarzer in Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat by Fulham, which leaves the Magpies on the brink of relegation.

Striker Viduka saw a goal disallowed and another effort cleared off the line to leave Alan Shearer’s side entering the final game of the season in the relegation zone.

Diomansy Kamara’s fourth goal of the season shortly before half-time cements Fulham’s seventh place in the table and keeps them on track to qualify for the revamped Europa League.

But Newcastle’s concerns remain at the other end of the table, where even a victory at Aston Villa on May 24 might not be enough to secure safety after Hull’s draw at Bolton.

They will also have to do without key defender Sebastien Bassong through suspension at Villa Park after the French centre-back was sent off on the hour for tripping Kamara as the Fulham forward sped through on goal.

Whether Michael Owen figures in a week’s time remains to be seen. Newcastle were again without their injury-prone 16-million-pound striker, who has strenuously denied claims he’s set to retire at the end of the season to concentrate on his racehorse stable.

Owen, who is widely expected to leave the club when his 110,000-pound-a-week contract expires in the summer, failed to recover after missing training on Friday with a groin problem, to fuel speculation he has played his last game in a black and white shirt.

His replacement up front alongside Viduka, Obafemi Martins, who was clearly not 100 percent fit after groin problems of his own, struck the post with a fierce shot from 15 yards after swapping passes with Kevin Nolan on the quarter hour, before Viduka went close with a header from Danny Guthrie’s centre as Newcastle made the early running.

But it was far from one-way traffic. Steve Harper was forced to save from Zoltan Gera while Clint Dempsey shot narrowly wide before Erik Nevland curled a 20-yard effort inches wide with Harper beaten after being released by a neat Kamara flick as the visitors began to exert more influence on the contest.

Fulham’s dangerous front two combined to greater effect four minutes before the interval to finally break the deadlock.

Danny Murphy’s pass beat Newcastle’s offside trap to release Nevland, who held off Bassong to round Harper before squaring to the unmarked Kamara, who had the simple task of firing the ball into the roof of an unguarded net.

Viduka posed a constant threat for Newcastle, and the 33-year-old looked like rewarding his industry with a goal as Newcastle made an impressive start to the second-half.

But he was denied twice within a matter of seconds five minutes after the restart, first by Dickson Etuhu, and secondly by referee Howard Webb.

Etuhu was well placed to hack Viduka’s glancing header off the line after the forward reacted first to Danny Guthrie’s free-kick. Viduka found his target when heading home Guthrie’s resulting corner, only for Webb to controversially rule the effort out for Nolan’s foul on Schwarzer.

Newcastle struggled with their numerical disadvantage after Bassong’s exit, but it took two fine Schwarzer saves at the end to secure the points for Fulham.

The first, 12 minutes from time, saw the Australian international beat out a close-range Martins effort after the bustling striker forced his way past Aaron Hughes to shoot from a narrow angle.

Then, in injury-time, Nicky Butt saw his snap shot from eight yards brilliantly kept out by Schwarzer at the foot of his right-hand post.

Tags: Aaron Hughes, alan shearer, Clint Dempsey, Danny Guthrie, Danny Murphy, Dickson Etuhu, England, English Premier League, Erik Nevland, final game, french centre, fulham, groin problem, Howard Webb, HULL, kamara, Kevin Nolan, key defender, magpies, mark schwarzer, mark viduka, michael owen, NEWCASTLE, newcastle england, Nolan, obafemi martins, Owen, racehorse, relegation zone, Sebastien Bassong, steve harper, villa park, yard effort, zoltan gera

Newcastle beat Middlesbrough, stay afloat in Premier League

May 12, 2009

NEWCASTLE (AFP) – Alan Shearer experienced his first victory as Newcastle United’s manager when precious goals from Steven Taylor, Obafemi Martins and Peter Lovenkrands ensured a 3-1 success over Middlesbrough in a St James’ Park relegation battle.

They are goals that could be worth up to 50 million pounds (70 million dollars) to Newcastle, who would lose a substantial portion of their income if they drop out of the Premier League.

With two games remaining against Fulham and Aston Villa, they are still far from safe, but they are out of the bottom three following a game Shearer described as the most important of his Newcastle career.

Middlesbrough, in contrast, must now accept they are heading for the Championship next season after losing a game where they took the lead and wasted several other chances.

An own goal from Habib Beye put Middlesbrough in front before Taylor equalised, with both goals coming early in a game that looked destined to end in stalemate before substitutes Martins and Lovenkrands condemned Gareth Southgate’s team to their 11th successive away defeat.

Only 45 miles separate the two teams, but – in football terms – the gap between them may be far, far wider next season after a Newcastle triumph on a date that looked ominous for Middlesbrough.

This derby fell on the anniversary of the birth of Jackie Milburn, United’s legendary centre-forward, and also Shearer’s testimonial, which marked his farewell as a player three years ago.

Five games under Shearer had produced two points and just one goal, although Middlesbrough’s form was no better, with only one win in their previous eight Premier League games – a sequence which provoked a few surprises in Southgate’s team.

The biggest was the inclusion of Dutchman Marvin Emnes, who started his first league game of the season in attack alongside Afonso Alves.

Emnes was called up because Middlesbrough – like Newcastle – had failed to score in their previous three games.

But Boro, scorers of only nine goals away from home this season, required just three minutes to go ahead through an own goal when the goal rebounded off Beye after Turkish international Tuncay Sanli’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Steve Harper.

Mark Viduka, once a Middlesbrough player, led Newcastle’s response, hitting a post before Taylor fired over from the rebound.

Taylor proved to be far more effective with his head in the ninth minute when he outjumped Gary O’Neil and powered Danny Guthrie’s corner inside the same post.

It was the start of an awkward spell for Middlesbrough as Newcastle began to thrive on their extra possession.

Viduka’s footwork down the left led to a cross towards Michael Owen, whose header was turned over by Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones.

But Boro came close when Viduka carelessly lost possession in his own half in the 29th minute, leading to a shot by Emnes against the legs of Harper, who was fortunate when the 20-year-old forward wastefully steered the rebound wide.

Newcastle began the second half in an authoritative mood and, while pinning back Middlesbrough in the early stages, were unable to carve out clear-cut openings.

With the game becoming increasingly tense, Middlesbrough finally made some attacking inroads and Harper made a fine save from Gary O’Neil’s 18-yard effort in the 57th minute.

With an hour gone, the balance had switched in Middlesbrough’s favour as O’Neil became increasingly influential in midfield and Tuncay’s intelligent contributions were getting a response from the men around him.

But the arrival of Martins in place of Owen in the 70th minute proved decisive.

The Nigerian striker – wearing the No.9 shirt made famous by Milburn and Shearer – latched onto a header from Viduka and, as he slipped, managed to direct the ball past Jones.

And, after Jeremie Aliadiere went close to an equaliser, Newcastle put the game out of Middlesbrough’s reach when Lovenkrands turned in Kevin Nolan’s cross with just four minutes remaining.

Tags: 50 million pounds, alan shearer, Aston, aston villa, Brad Jones, Danny Guthrie, dutchman, English Premier League, first victory, five games, football terms, fulham, gareth southgate, Gary O'Neil, habib beye, jackie milburn, James, james park, Jones, Kevin Nolan, league game, mark viduka, Marvin Emnes, michael owen, middlesbrough, NEWCASTLE, newcastle united, O'Neil, obafemi martins, Owen, peter lovenkrands, premier league games, st james park, stalemate, steve harper, steven taylor, three games

Shearer´s switch helps Newcastle make a point

April 12, 2009

STOKE, England (AFP) – Newcastle salvaged a crucial 1-1 draw at Stoke on Saturday to keep alive their hopes of avoiding relegation.

With nine minutes to play at the Britannia Stadium, Alan Shearer was facing his second successive defeat since taking over as Newcastle’s caretaker boss until the end of the season.

Former Newcastle midfielder Abdoulaye Faye gave Stoke a first half lead but Shearer had sent on Andy Carroll midway through the second half and the young striker responded by heading an 81st minute equaliser.

Shearer’s switch could prove vital in the final reckoning as the point lifted Newcastle to third bottom of the table above Middlesbrough, who had won earlier on Saturday, and within two points of safety.

Shearer had made five changes from the team beaten by Chelsea in his first match, with Sebastien Bassong returning from a groin injury, while David Edgar, Damien Duff, Danny Guthrie and Shola Ameobi also came in.

All the changes failed to galvanise Newcastle as Stoke set about bombarding the visitors’ defence. They forced two corners inside the opening three minutes and came close to taking the lead from the second.

From Liam Lawrence’s inswinger to the corner of the six-yard box Ryan Shawcross was allowed to rise all too easily, only to glance his header across the face of Stephen Harper’s goal.

Then Ricardo Fuller flicked a header towards the far post, with the loose ball falling to James Beattie whose close-range effort was blocked by Harper.

Duff panicked as Stoke continued to press and his clearance went straight to Rory Delap, whose cross caused more chaos. Harper tried to punch clear but Fuller got there first and headed narrowly over.

Stoke’s dominance was rewarded in the 33rd minute as Faye once again made his former employers regret selling him in August.

Faye, who left St James’ Park for Stoke in a two million pounds deal, had already scored a late equaliser against his old club in December. He tormented them again from a disputed corner.

Newcastle were furious that referee Chris Foy gave Stoke a corner even though the ball clearly came off Fuller last.

City captain Faye took full advantage as he was left totally unmarked to meet Lawrence’s corner with a stooping header past Harper.

It could have been 2-0 in the closing minute of the half as a point-blank Fuller header from another Lawrence corner was beaten away by Harper. From the rebound, Fuller’s second attempt caught Ameobi’s arm but Foy waved away Stoke’s appeals.

Just a minute into the second half Bassong was forced to clear off his line from a Glenn Whelan header after he had been teed up by Fuller.

Minutes later Ryan Taylor did the same to deny Shawcross after the defender flicked on a Lawrence free-kick.

Stoke could have won it when Fuller and Whelan set up Etherington, but from just inside the area and with only Harper to beat, the winger dragged his shot wide.

A minute later Shearer sent on Carroll for Ameobi. It was to prove the decisive moment.

Carroll was a danger straight away as he headed inches past the right-hand post from Taylor’s cross.

Suddenly Newcastle began to push forward with belief and, nine minutes from time, they drew level when Carroll met Duff’s cross with a looping header drifted over Sorensen’s despairing dive.

Tags: abdoulaye faye, alan shearer, Andy Carroll, britannia stadium, captain Faye, caretaker boss, Chris Foy, CITY, close range, Damien Duff, Danny Guthrie, david edgar, England, English Premier League, far post, final reckoning, groin injury, James Beattie, Lawrence, Liam Lawrence, loose ball, NEWCASTLE, Ricardo, ricardo fuller, rory delap, Ryan, Ryan Shawcross, Sebastien Bassong, shawcross, shola ameobi, st james park, stephen harper

United´s focus back on the title as clean sweep bid gathers pace

March 4, 2009

NEWCASTLE, England (AFP) – Manchester United return to Premier League action at Newcastle on Wednesday with Old Trafford legend Sir Bobby Charlton admitting the possibility of completing a remarkable clean sweep of five trophies this season can’t be ruled out.

Sunday’s League Cup success allied to their Club World Cup victory in December puts the Old Trafford club well on the way to creating history as they eye further success in the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup to complete a stunning clean-sweep.

After that dramatic 4-1 penalty shoot-out victory over Tottenham at Wembley, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side turn their attention back to cementing their advantage on top of the Premier League.

United tackle Newcastle on the back of a 15-game unbeaten league run, their last 10 games all victories, during which time they’ve conceded just one goal.

It has propelled them back to the top of the table with a seven-point cushion over Chelsea and Liverpool, which has them strong favourites to clinch their third consecutive domestic title.

Charlton, who received the Freedom of the City of Manchester at a ceremony on Monday in recognition of his record-breaking 20-year Old Trafford playing career and ambassadorial work for the club, admitted the quintuple is possible but realistically remains unlikely.

"People are saying United can possibly win five trophies this year. We’ve got two but of course the others are not so easy. I’m not going to say we’re not going to do it, and we’ll have a crack," he said.

"But I have to say that I don’t agree with those people who say the league is over.

"We have too many games to play and we have too many good teams to play against so to say it’s over is crazy.

"We are the favourites to do that, that’s obvious, but it’s not a foregone conclusion, although I wouldn’t put anything past this set of players."

Ferguson has the luxury of being able to restore Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Edwin van der Sar and Michael Carrick, who were not even in the League Cup final squad, to the side as United look to further improve a run that has seen them win five of their last six visits to St James’ Park, scoring 20 goals in the process.

Troubled Newcastle are the only team to earn a point at Old Trafford this season, but the Tyneside club desperately need a victory to halt a sequence of one win in 11 games.

It leaves them just two points above the relegation zone as they face a daunting sequence of consecutive home games against United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

A knee ligament problem forces Newcastle’s Nicky Butt to miss out against his former club, leaving Chris Hughton with a problem in midfield.

The caretaker manager is already without injured trio Joey Barton, Damien Duff and Danny Guthrie, while Kevin Nolan is suspended.

Alan Smith comes in as cover, with the England international set to make his first start in 10 months after a persistent ankle problem.

Newcastle’s 16-year stay in the Premier League is under serious threat, and defender Steven Taylor admitted: "We’re in a relegation fight and we have to be men and stand up to the challenge."

Keeper Steve Harper added: "We should have the best part of a full house and the supporters will be looking for us to give 100 percent commitment.

"It is important all the lads are on their game because they will have to be. We have to go out there all guns blazing and take on the champions."

Written by: AFP

Tags: Alan Smith, alex ferguson, charlton, CHELSEA, Chris Hughton, CITY, city of manchester, clean sweep, club world cup, cup success, Damien Duff, Danny Guthrie, dimitar berbatov, Edwin van der, edwin van der sar, England, English Premier League, foregone conclusion, freedom of the city, joey barton, Liverpool, Manchester, manchester united, Michael Carrick, NEWCASTLE, newcastle england, old trafford, point cushion, sir alex ferguson, Sir Bobby, sir bobby charlton, St James, steve harper, steven taylor, van der sar, wayne rooney, Wembley, world cup victory

Gerrard stars in rout of Newcastle

December 28, 2008

NEWCASTLE, England (AFP) – Liverpool maintained their grip on first place in the Premier League table with a stunning 5-1 win against a toothless Newcastle United here at St James' Park on Sunday.

Reds captain Steven Gerrard scored twice and had had it not been for Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given, the hosts could have been on the wrong end of a double-figure disaster after being completely outclassed.

The Republic of Ireland international made five world-class saves in 10 minutes to prevent Newcastle from total capitulation before the midway point of the first-half.

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee said: "I think we are improving with every game we play and that is all we can look for. You haven't seen the best of Liverpool yet.

"You win nothing in December but you can certainly lose a lot. We're very pleased to be going into the New Year at the top."

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear – whose 62nd birthday celebrations on Sunday have been distinctly muted having been beaten by Wigan on Friday and now Liverpool – said that his depleted side had not been able to hold off the attacking hordes from Liverpool.

"We were short of six or seven players and everything that could go against us did go against us.

"We had to play one of the best teams I've seen for a long while. You have to take your hat off to Liverpool. They were in command for a long time and could have put the game to bed in the first half."

Arsenal target Given began his run of jaw-dropping stops in the 10th minute as he pushed away a fierce near post strike from lone Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt.

Within a minute England midfielder Gerrard weaved his way around three United defenders only to see his left foot shot palmed away by Given.

However, the onslaught had only just begun and in the 14th minute the Magpies 'keeper denied Gerrard again as he sprung to his right to claw away a rising left footed shot.

But that stunning save was eclipsed by an even better show of agility five minutes later as Given denied the Brazilian midfielder Lucas from point-blank range.

When the former Gremio player saw his header, from a Gerrard corner, beaten away by the Newcastle goalkeeper moments later, the visitors must have begun to fear this would be no easy win on Tyneside.

United, for their part, had barely managed to break beyond halfway and the Magpies' owner, Mike Ashley, must have been wondering whether he had been premature in announcing his decision to take the club off the market for the foreseeable future.

If his aim had been to usher in a period of calm at St James' Park, the effect had not extended to the pitch.

Liverpool continued to press forward at will and two goals before half-time appeared to end the game as a contest.

Inevitably, given his sensational start to the match, it was Gerrard who broke the deadlock in the 31st minute when he drilled Yossi Benayoun's pass in off the post.

Poor Given had no opportunity to reprise his heroics and the Irishman was stranded again five minutes later when defender Sami Hyypia was given the freedom of the Newcastle penalty area to head home Gerrard's corner.

The experienced Finn could have grabbed a second three minutes before the break only for a diving Given to push the ball into the path of Newcastle's Charles N'Zogbia, who cleared.

These were torrid times for United but, incredibly, Canada international defender David Edgar reduced the arrears on the stroke of half-time by heading in Danny Guthrie's corner.

Liverpool's third, five minutes after the restart, had an element of luck about it, with referee Mark Halsey failing to spot Lucas's hand ball. But Dutch international Ryan Babel tapped-in from five yards despite being surrounded by Newcastle players.

Gerrard grabbed his second from Lucas's astute through ball in the 66th minute.

And when substitute Xabi Alonso wrapped things up with a well taken penalty 13 minutes from time with Gerrard off the field, after his fellow replacement David Ngog had been brought down by Edgar, Liverpool could celebrate heading into 2009 on top of the Premier League pile.

Written by: AFP