When Nicky Butt emerged from the Newcastle showers to
switch on his phone, it leapt into life and revealed a string of
texts. The first was a thank-you from Ryan Giggs and no doubt there
were more to follow from former teammates and manager at Old
Trafford after Newcastle stole two points from Chelsea at St James
Park.
The Chelsea manager admitted: "Newcastle deserved their point. They
defended very well, they were very fast in attack." Newcastle
supporters may rightly ask why a side unbeaten at home by the top
four are struggling to even chase down the outside chance of an
InterToto Cup place.
They annoyed the life out of Chelsea. Mourinho arrived bemoaning
the failure of referees to award penalties against his title rivals
at Old Trafford. And he left the northeast desperately claiming his
team should have been awarded a 10thminute penalty when a weak shot
brushed Stephen Carrs arm.
Later John Terry was on a one-man mission to contest every decision
and challenge against a Chelsea player. Mourinho has described his
players as untouchables, now they are starting to play as if they
believe it. His late reaction to one robust challenge from Steve
Taylor surprised even Halsey, who threatened him with a caution. By
then Terry had started to lose the plot, too, with Andy Carroll, a
19-year-old in only his third top-level appearance. It was not a
good afternoon for the champions, who had known victory would take
them to within a point of Manchester United.
The game came to life just before the hour when Newcastle should
have scored. Stand-in captain Butt played the best pass of the game
to release Dyer beyond the Chelsea back four. However, Cech was
equal to Dyers rare sprint, racing from his line and blocking the
low shot with his feet.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Giggs might have been texting Butt with an
entirely different message if that had flown in.