Habib Beye Watch - Man Utd

Nice legs! Shame about the boat race....

We've deliberately given this match report time to breath since it was very easy to get carried away with going 1 - 0 ahead in the first 10 mins against the champions of the world.

A decent performance saw pride restored but ultimately no points. A rare clanger from Van Der Sar gave McLovenkrands a simple side footer to send the Gallowgate into raptures. Newcastle out played ManU for long spells of the first half but contrary to many reviews, never outclassed the league leaders.

Quality showed in the equaliser with a sweeping move leading to a world class turn and shot by Mr Potato Head: Wayne Rooney. Newcastle didn't have any answer and the wind was taken out of their sails by the time that S.Taylor resorted to a bit of 'roughing' on the touchline before half-time.

With ManU's centre halves both on bookings, the lively Martins and Jonas perhaps should have made more of their second half drives into the box. The last few minutes apart though, much of the game was played in front of their backline.

It came to Shearer fan Berbatov to settle the match. The games second blunder, this time from otherwise solid R.Taylor, let ManU take a lead they never looked like relinquishing.

It was at least refreshing to see the Mags make a game of it, but be in no doubt, ManU were below par and still played an attacking game which allowed us to have our share of possession and chances.

So no points but pride restored. Pride will mean very little however if we fail to capitalise in the away games against Hull and Stoke which bookend massive home games against Arsenal and Chelsea.

8 points from those games would be incredible and see us all but safe. 6 points might be enough to take some momentum into games against Porstmouth, Fulham et al. 4 points would be disasterous leaving us on the brink.... Ha'way the lads!