Frustrating day

Tyneside's not the easiest place to go, just ask Villa, West Ham and Sunderland. The game saw us keep the ball fairly well in the first half but without any end product with Jermain only testing Harper on the stroke of half time. We moved the ball around well; Luka and Rafa combining effectively although failing to unlock Newcastle's brick wall at the back and being hardly given an inch to work with.

The second half saw a much more open game and Newcastle looked to get on top as they began to find gaps in our defence. A long ball over the top wasn't dealt with by Hutton and, maybe unfairly, Cudicini, as Coloccini put the barcodes ahead on his 29th birthday.

It looked as though it was going to be United all over again as we tried but failed to find the back of the net, with Modric coming close from 25 yards. As Newcastle looked to kill us off, Defoe broke who found Lennon to cut inside and score an injury time equaliser that resulted in a sense of justice amongst many of us and 'Arry a like.

A good result away at a tough place to go, especially as we snatched it so late on; but still, a win would've really put Chelsea under the heat again. Pienaar looked the player we expected him to be showing some good attacking prowess and awareness of others. The only sour note came early on as Bale went off with a recurrence of the back injury he sustained earlier this year.

Still though, a similar favour from Bolton as Villa did today would be a kind welcome as we look to retain our place in the Champions League next season.

Your thoughts are welcome.

Regards.