NEWCASTLE UNITED v MIDDLESBROUGH, 0-0 Sat 3 Mar
2007
Newcastle United's European hopes took a dent as they failed to
make the most of their dominance over derby rivals
Middlesbrough.
In a game of few genuine chances, the Magpies made and squandered
the best of them on a frustrating afternoon at St James
Park.
Winger James Milner hit the bar with a 51st-minute free-kick and
skipper Scott Parker forced Mark Schwarzer into a vital last-minute
save.
But Obafemi Martins passed up three good opportunities as Glenn
Roeders men repeatedly put Boro under pressure, but simply could
not make it tell in front of a largely disappointed crowd of
52,303.
The Teessiders were virtually anonymous as an attacking force and
rarely looked like claiming their first top-flight double over
their neighbours since 1977/78, but defended resiliently enough to
extend their run to just one defeat in 14 games.
Boro arrived with their strikeforce of Mark Viduka and Ayegbeni
Yakubu in top form to take on a defence which has again proved the
Magpies Achilles heel this season.
In the event, it was at the other end which most of the significant
action occurred as Newcastle set about their opponents with some
gusto.
With Milner giving full-back Andrew Taylor a torrid time down the
right and the fit-again Charles NZogbia keeping Stuart Parnaby on
his toes on the opposite flank, the home side always looked the
more likely to open the scoring.
However, they were too often guilty of failing to find a final ball
which gave front two Martins and Kieron Dyer any chance of
troubling Schwarzer.
Emergency right-back Nolberto Solano, included after missing
training with the virus which prevented Damien Duffs
participation, was particularly culpable as a series of promising
openings went begging.
For all their pressure, Newcastle created only two genuine
opportunities, and they might have done better with both.
Nicky Butts astute 19th-minute through-ball allowed Martins to run
away from the Boro defence, but he delayed his shot until Schwarzer
closed down the angle, and the keeper made a good one-handed
save.
The Australia international was far less taxed 10 minutes later
when full-back Steven Taylor met Milners corner with a solid
header, but he directed straight at Schwarzer.
With Titus Bramble doing an excellent job on Yakubu and former Boro
target Oguchi Onyewu just about holding firm despite being fully
extended by Viduka, Boro threatened only fleetingly, although
finished the half with a flourish.
The two strikers linked almost for the first time in the half on 40
minutes for the Australia international to send a shot on the turn
just wide, and Shay Given had to race from his line on the stroke
of half-time to punch clear from the same man after Julio Arca had
played him in.
In an untidy start to the second half, the home side continued to
make the running, but were unable to shake off their
wastefulness.
They came within inches of taking the lead on 51 minutes when,
after Emanuel Pogatetz had tripped Dyer, Milner curled a free-kick
beyond Schwarzer only to see it hit the crossbar.
The home side were making their big push, but having seen his men
hold firm for the best part of an hour Boro boss Gareth Southgate
made his move on 59 minutes when he replaced the combative Lee
Cattermole with winger James Morrison.
Newcastle went agonisingly close on 62 minutes when Dyer turned
Solanos pass into the path of Parker, who drilled a low shot
inches past the far post.
Morrison was followed onto the pitch by South Korea international
Dong Gook Lee as the ineffectual Yakubu made way, although it was
defender Pogatetz who provided an unlikely threat on 66
minutes.
The Austria international broke up the field after Parkers drive
had been charged down, but with Lee in acres of space, he tried to
take on Solano and lost out.
Boro almost cracked 19 minutes from time when Martins got on the
end of Taylors knock down deep inside the penalty area, but the
strikers first touch was poor and Schwarzer was able to claim with
the help of a deflection off Pogatetz.
Referee Steve Bennett waved away Dyers appeals for a 79th-minute
penalty after he was bundled to the ground by Arca as he ran on to
Onyewus knock-down with the Magpies desperate to find a late
breakthrough.
Newcastle battered away at the visitors as the clock ran down and
Parker saw a last-minute diving header saved, but they simply could
not find the cutting edge which had deserted them all
afternoon.