Habib Beye Watch at Middlesbrough

Newcastle took advantage as the smog descended over the riverside, pinching a point from under the noses of the hosts. Our friend Habib Beye continued his journey back to top form with another solid display but ultimately the lack of thrust from the forward players meant that the Toon had to be content with a clean sheet and a drab write up from the nation's press.

Games against Middlesbrough rarely stir emotion in the Tyneside faithful and this was no different. JFK's side have become tough to beat recently but the focus required to shut up shop seems to detract from our forward play. Owen, so far from his best, should have been the one to make way for Viduka but instead it was Oba 'the fall guy' Martins who made way. Viduka almost made it the perfect smash and grab with an early chance but failed to get any closer than Martins had in the previous hour of the game.

All in all we have to be happy with a point. Results elsewhere were relatively kind and MOTD's focus was primarily on Roy Keane and his team as they went down to a heavy home defeat. Newcastle must ensure that they do not suffer a similar fate against Stoke in our next home game.

Let's hope our new found resillience provides a platform on which our forwards can build so we can get a much needed win!

The roundup -
The Mirror = 6
The Sun = 7
BBC Player Rater = 6.57
Skysports = 6