Newcastle v Manchester United (01/01/07, 5.15)

[Dizzy]

I think people are being far too harsh on Park, how many games has he had?

[Vidic's Bitch !]

dizzy said:

I think people are being far too harsh on Park, how many games has he had?

3 and not to much rest either.

[redom]

I actually think Park did ok when he first came on and he had a good little run down the right which ended up leading to our second goal, he definately went downhill a bit after that but I think he'll be important in the coming months and I'm glad he's back, Giggs and Rooney on the other hand need to get their arses in gear.

[DriftingRedDevil]

I think Park is a good player. His run was a good one, and I'm not saying that he's bad because of one game. He just got back from a pretty bad injury so I'm giving him time I still like him a lot.

[tom]

When you score 2 goals away from home it should be enough to win the game, slack defensive play (poor closing down)on the right cost us both goals

[Scott]

Disappointing result. I suppose the most frustrating thing is their equalise goal was going straight to VDS before it took the deflection, but regardless, we didn't close down their players at all well enough for both the goals.

Really pleased to see Scholesy get a couple of goals. When we had to sub Saha so early on with no strikers on the bench it could have been worrying as to where we would get the goals from. That's the one thing I'm happiest with this season, what a spread we have of goalscorers.

Still credit to Newcastle, they played well. It was a really entertaining game to watch as well.

[danishred]

It is a little worrying that we let in two goals yet again.. I hope it is due to the lack of rest from our players.

[DriftingRedDevil]

danishred said:

It is a little worrying that we let in two goals yet again.. I hope it is due to the lack of rest from our players.

I'm sure that is what it was, mental lapses seems to me the most likely of causes. I think they just need some rest. I mean both goals came from the right side. Nev has played all the games in the holiday season and Rio has played in almost all of them. I'm sure they're just tired I wouldn't worry too much about it. We'll bounce back.

[missunited]

Fergie rues missed chances

Fergie rues missed chances

UNITED boss Sir Alex Ferguson criticised his side's finishing but admitted Newcastle deserved a point after the 2-2 draw.

"We missed a stack of chances but you have to admire the character and spirit of the Newcastle team. They deserved a point without question," he told Sky Sports 1.

"We had three cleared off the line so that was a bit unlucky. Then we went and missed two or three good chances. When you are creating chances you hope you are doing enough to win the match and we should have won the match.
Advertisement your story continues below

"We didn't play as well as we have been because Newcastle didn't allow us to play. I've nothing but praise for them."

Striker Louis Saha was forced off with an injury and Ferguson said: "It's a groin injury so he may be out for a couple of weeks."

---

Newcastle v United: Player ratings

VAN DER SAR: Some vital saves, one superb from Sibierski with his legs, in the first half when Newcastle fancied their chances 8

NEVILLE: Uncompromising tackling upset those sensitive Geordie souls, but might have done more to stop Milner's goal 7

FERDINAND: Caught flat-footed by Sibierski's header in first half but generally in control of the situation 6

VIDIC: The return of his solid Serbian presence was welcome for a defence that occasionally rocked against Reading 7

EVRA: Bright and chirpy on the left, he adds more attacking options than Heinze does, with no defensive worries 7

RONALDO: His goal-scoring and level of performance had to flag some time, and this was it, although he still posed problems 7

FLETCHER: Did the tough stuff in midfield but his lapse of concentration let Edgar in for the equaliser 5

SCHOLES: Is there really something wrong with his eyesight? Both goals were like threading needles, executed superbly 8

GIGGS: Not the flashing winger of old, but showed his versatility and eye for a pass with a hand in both goals 7

ROONEY: Still a notch or two below his best, but his strong running and tirelessness caused Newcastle headaches all night 7

SAHA: Missed one excellent chance and had a header blocked on the line before limping off injured 5

Substitutes
Advertisement your story continues below

PARK: (Saha 36) Clever running but skied a great late chance to win it 5

CARRICK: (Fletcher 77) Got forward well but not much time to sway things 5

Not used: Heinze, O'Shea, Heaton.

NEWCASTLE: Given, Solano, Taylor, Huntington, Edgar, Milner, Parker, Emre (Patterson 88), Dyer, Sibierski, Martins.

BOOKINGS: Newcastle - Parker (82); United - Scholes (35)

ATTENDANCE: 52,302

[mufc2911]

i'm getting a bit peeved at all the goals we're conceding, what is it, 8 in the last 6 games? thats quite unacceptable for a club like us IMO. also a bit disappointed that their makeshift defence wasnt torn apart by our forwards often enough. but that's life i guess. st james' is a difficult place to go what with their supporters (tho our away support last night was fantastic) and the passion there, so i guess i can be happy with a point, tho some of our players really have to step it up. i guess after a gruelling xmas period, there's bound to be fatigue here and there. fingers crossed that villa can do us a favour (too bad barry's suspended) but even if they dont, four points clear at new years with a far superior goal diff is still pretty great.

[Kamilo]

two mistakes by our midfield not pressuring the dribbler into making a move or passing lead to too much space for a shot available and two goals. we could have been a little bit more creative offensively

one of the rare games i could watch and how frustrating it was..

im gettting worried bout wazza

[Christopher]

Great game of football, great advertisement for EPL and that, but we should have won.
Their two goals came from us not closing down. 20 shots to 8, 10 corners to 1 and some great chances so to only get a point is disappointing.
Park hit the post in the first half, should've done better with the great chance in the final minutes, and it was his job to close down Edgar for their second goal, other than that he didnt impress during the game much, although i concede that it was good play from him to actually get into those positions, depsite the misses and that is true of the team.
Other great chances included Saha's one on one shot that went straight to the keeper, Ronaldo's sliced volley, the clearance of the line from Ronaldo too. He didnt play very well but does still get an assist. Rooney was quiet, but there were some attacking runs by him in the second half where he dribbled at pace and caused problems so thats a good sign. Good to see Evra desperate to get down the line too.
Also great to see good character to come from the goal down, but it was a let down that we took the pressure off a bit rather than going for the third more adently.
That said, we should've closed the game off.
How we didnt win this, based on our chances, i dont know...

With attacking performances like that, we will carve teams up when we consistantly take the chances.

[Tatty]

Hopefully, we can bank on Larsson bagging a few in games like these over the coming weeks.

[andoverred]

At least chances were created. It would be of greater concern if the team were creating very little. I would put this performance down to certain players being hung-over

Our defence is showing signs of being a bit of Edam cheese - full of holes

I think the Viking duo of Larsson and Ole should spearhead the attack against Villa. This would give Rooney a rest.

[hyderedphil]

Created loads of chances but are not putting them away, Park needs time to regain match fitness and its only a matter of time before Rooney comes good, we are still top.
Utd 7/10 loads of the ball but not putting chances away.
Suport 9/10 great day out as always in the toon.