Manchester United failed to score at St.James’ Park for the first time in 11 seasons as a goalless draw with Newcastle United kept alive the race for the Barclays Premier League title.
The Red Devils had the chance to move nine points clear of second-placed Arsenal with victory over Alan Pardew’s mid-table side.
But, with Sir Alex Ferguson serving the penultimate game of his five-match touchline ban, the visitors failed to bounce back from the disappointment of their weekend FA Cup semi-final defeat against rivals Manchester City.
Wayne Rooney was back from his two-match suspension for swearing down the lens of a TV camera, but it was another frustrating night for the England forward.
Kick off was delayed for a few seconds as Rooney’s strike partner, Javier Hernandez, knelt on the halfway-line and completed his pre-match prayer routine. If the Mexican was praying for an early chance then he certainly got his wish.
After just 90 seconds Rooney broke down the left wing and delivered for what looked like a routine tap-in for Hernandez.
But Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul, in for the injured Steve Harper, read the unfolding danger and slid from his goal-line to smother at the feet of the frontman, much to the relief of the home crowd.
That relief, though, soon turned to excitement as the black and whites enjoyed a prolonged spell of attacking pressure.
First, Jonas Gutierrez danced by three red shirts before seeing a measured curler from 20 yards deflected wide off Nemanja Vidic.
Then, Shola Ameobi, stretching at the far post to connect with Joey Barton’s deep centre, could only turn into the hands of Edwin Van Der Sar, and Cheik Tiote smashed into those same gloves with a 25-yard drive just seconds later as the Magpies produced a pulsating spell.
It wasn’t the start the league leaders had planned but they soon began to settle and Rooney broke free of marker Mike Williamson on the edge of the area only to lift his shot over both Krul and the crossbar on 19 minutes.
That frenetic opening gave way to a game of defensive containment, but it was Newcastle who finished the half the stronger of the sides.
Skipper Barton saw a 41st-minute free-kick snaffled by Van Der Sar just inside his near post before Peter Lovenkrands headed wide when unmarked just eight yards out.
The second period began in much the same vein as the first and Ryan Giggs, like Lovenkrands just before the break, should have done better when heading wide of goal from an identical, close-range position.
Newcastle were being implored forward by a vociferous home support and Lovenkrands saw a penalty appeal waved away just before the hour mark when he tumbled under the clumsy challenge of Anderson.
Stephen Ireland’s last appearance at St.James’ was his debut for Aston Villa back in August, United the 6-0 winners that day.
The 24-year-old, on loan at Newcastle from Villa, was on the touchline waiting to come on for his bow when Giggs missed the game’s best chance, Patrice Evra sliding a left-wing cross into his path only for the former Wales international to scuff woefully wide from 10 yards.
Ireland had an opportunity of his own at the other end but volleyed inches wide from just outside the area.
The Reds pressed for a winner, introducing former Newcastle captain Michael Owen to a chorus of home boos, but they struggled to break down the home defence and Hernandez was booked for a stoppage-time dive when attempting to con referee Lee Probert into a late penalty.
They are the current leading soccer tipsters in this month competition. See also tipsters rankings.
![]() |
maxsoldiers
posts a Double Chance tip on Alajuelense vs Guanacasteca 41 minutes ago |
![]() |
maxsoldiers
posts a Draw No Bet tip on Deportivo Maldonado vs River Plate 41 minutes ago |
![]() |
emi
posts a In-Play 1X2 tip on Provincial Ovalle vs Deportes Linares 41 minutes ago |
![]() |
emi
posts a Over / Under tip on Deportivo Maldonado vs River Plate 49 minutes ago |
![]() |
emi
posts a In-Play Last Team to Score tip on Forge vs Cavalry 52 minutes ago |
![]() |
emi
posts a In-Play Over / Under tip on Forge vs Cavalry 52 minutes ago |
![]() |
emi
posts a In-Play Over / Under tip on Toluca W vs Puebla W 53 minutes ago |
![]() |
emi
posts a Over / Under tip on New York RB vs Sporting KC 54 minutes ago |
![]() |
emi
posts a In-Play Last Team to Score tip on Boca Juniors vs Talleres Córdoba 56 minutes ago |
![]() |
emi
posts a In-Play Over / Under tip on Boca Juniors vs Talleres Córdoba 57 minutes ago |
Upcoming football matches with excellent head to head records over their opponents.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs who play better for their home games H2H.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Football clubs that play well for their away games.
|
Sign in to view more football matches.
Motivated teams after winning five matches in a row or they have maintained a ten-match unbeaten run. The bookmakers label them as favourites for a reason.
Teams in crisis after five consecutive defeats or they did not win their last ten football matches. You should avoid betting on these underdogs.
Teams having a draw in the last five matches.
Teams that have won all their home matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
Teams that have not lost at home matches.
|
Sign in to view more football teams.
This tipsters ranking is based on single picks excluding doubles and multi accumulators. For the full ranking click here.
Tipsters whom have lost a few matches in a row. Bad luck you call it.
Best platform for winning tips let's all come and win together . The platform is 100% perfect
From as little as $1 per soccer tip.
|
Arbitrage is an effective way to make guaranteed profits without losing your money.
Analyze soccer matches, inclusive of past results, head to head stats, today match fixtures, live soccer odds, players and team form.
Check the latest and fastest live score results for all football matches. Know who are the goalscorers, yellow card and red card offenders.
Read up these useful tips for soccer betting.
Get the listings of soccer leagues and competitions for each region, including past seasons results and football statistics.
Want to bet on a match today? Check out the list of today match fixtures.
Read MoreGet the match results for all the soccer matches around the globe. Inclusive of half-time, full-time results.
Read MoreAre you an expert in soccer betting? Join SoccerPunter Tipsters competition to challenge against the top football tipsters and win prizes!
Read MoreCopyright © 2002-2024 SoccerPunter Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.
Be the first to comment: