Rearguard action

If anyone had told me a few hours ago that, away to a top European side in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup, we’d invite wave upon wave of attack only to stand firm, repel every single one and emerge from the match with a highly creditable draw, I’d have laughed long and loud. But that’s exactly what we did tonight. So, may I introduce you to Messrs Hughes, Woodgate, Bramble and Bernard aka the So Solid Crew?

After a shaky opening 20 minutes for Hughes in particular, during which time the ever-dangerous Mateja Kezman muscled his way in to give PSV Eindhoven the lead, we recovered our composure admirably and had the better of the remainder of the first half, despite the best efforts of the referee to penalise us at every available opportunity (apparently football is no longer a contact sport). Speed, Ambrose and Shearer all had good attempts at goal before Jenas headed in from a Robert free-kick in first half stoppage time – the Frenchman’s delivery from dead-ball situations had been brilliant all half.

The second period was very much backs-to-the-wall stuff – not the most enjoyable experience for those Newcastle fans who, like myself, very often fear for the stability and robustness of our defence. We managed to keep PSV out, though, with a combination of tenacious tackling and luck, central defender Bouma striking the crossbar with a powerful header shortly after the break and others going perilously close. We could even have stolen a first leg lead when, five minutes from time, Bellamy on the break set up Shearer for a swerving piledriver that PSV keeper Waterreus did well to keep out.

The result sets up the second leg very nicely. Having witnessed first-hand the 5-0 demolition of fellow Dutch side NAC Breda in this competition earlier on in the season, I’m really pleased to have got a ticket to see PSV’s return trip to Tyneside. The tie’s still fairly evenly balanced and could go either way, but our home form is such that we have to believe we can progress to the semi-finals.

Quite what tonight’s scoreline says about what might happen in Sunday afternoon’s match is anyone’s guess. The good news is that Henry might be missing with a hamstring injury, and that Robert is in good form going into a fixture he usually enjoys. Given the results of the last fortnight, Arsenal won’t be relishing a visit to St James’s Park, and for the sake of our Champions’ League hopes we have to capitalise on that.