Newcastle United weren’t the first team to pick up a point at the gleaming Emirates Stadium this season.
But it’s fair to say they were probably the most grateful come the end of Arsenal’s fourth draw at their new home.
And although United rode their luck at times they deserved their reward after a positive afternoon in North London that sees them move out of the relegation zone.
There wasn’t just a great scoreline to smile about for the 6,000 travelling Geordies.
Oh no, plenty of other plus points during a time of uncetainty when takeover talk continues to mix with the Tyneside air and spread across Newcastle.
Like his chairman Glenn Roeder has had to face the critisism from all sides recently – everywhere they turn they get hit with a different fist.
But both of them walked away from Arsenal with heads held high yesterday and for the first time in a long time even managed a smile.
And why not?
Liverpool were thrashed just seven days ago at the Emirates while both Manchester United and Chelsea will also be happy with a score draw when their turn arrives to test out the new facilities at Ashburton Grove.
Some nightmare visits to Highbury in recent years were just a distant memory for United after this.
The most obvious plus was the re-emergence of Kieron Dyer in his first start.
Dyer is still struggling to get his sight back in the eye that collided with a flag pole in training to hamper his latest comeback from a hamstring problem.
But still had enough vision to latch on to an Oba Martins flick on, turn two defenders before beating Jens Lehmann from outside the box.
Top 20 European midfielder form? Of course, but will more follow?
Masses certainly hope so but the future for KD looks a lot brighter to the dark days of rehab.
Yet there was more.
Shay Given’s last visit to London ended in horror after a bowel tear following a collision with Marlon Harewood – he didn’t leave the capital for almost a week after collapsing in the dressing room and then being rushed to hospital for an emergency operation that could only happen to a Toon player.
But Given returned with a string of fines saves to deny the Gunners and Thierry Henry no less, the Frenchman’s only answer coming from a dead ball.
Scott Parker proved to be in sparkling form too, while Nicky Butt was first class.
And what about Martins?
The Nigerian has been a disappointment so far but the former Inter Milan bench man hasn’t been bad enough to be branded a flop just yet.
More like his running and link up play at Arsenal won’t do him any harm.
So after the debacle that was Sheffield United, Newcastle United have brushed themselves off and snatched back some pride on the pitch.
Two draws won’t convince anybody just now but qualification for the UEFA Cup knockout stages and a win over Pompey is surely evidence that there is much still to play and fight for.
But with many fans carefully judging their side on a game by game basis now the mood on Tyneside depends on the character of the performance against Celta Vigo.
- Post to:
del.icio.us
Digg
Newsvine
Nowpublic
Reddit
« Previous | Home | Next »