Newcastle United – Manchester United

1. Join us from 1945 BST for live text commentary of Manchester United's trip to St James' Park to face Newcastle, as the Premier League leaders look to extend their lead over Arsenal to nine points.

2. <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0410/waynerooney20110406camera_275x155.jpg"><br>Wayne Rooney returns to the Man Utd starting line-up after his two-match ban.

3. Tonight's game will almost certainly come too soon for Newcastle star Hatem Ben Arfa, but <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/909021/alan-pardew-hopeful-over-hatem-ben-arfa,-stephen-ireland-debut?cc=5739" target="_blank">Magpies boss Alan Pardew believes the Frenchman may play some part before the end of the season.</a>

4. Hello everyone and welcome to live text commentary of Newcastle United v Manchester United. Sir Alex's side can go nine-points clear of Arsenal this evening if they win but I'm sure Alan Pardew's Magpies won't be giving them an easy ride.

5. The main team news is that Rooney and Giggs return for Man Utd, while Chris Smalling replaces Rio Ferdinand in defence. There was talk Stephen Ireland could make his first start for Newcastle tonight but he only makes the bench.

6. Ameobi and Lovenkrands start for the Magpies - the latter was on the scoresheet the last time Man Utd visited St James' Park in 2009. Newcastle lost 2-1 that day, thanks to goals from Berbatov and Rooney, on their way to relegation from the Premier League.

7. These two met on the opening day of this season, with Man Utd triumphing 3-0 - Fletcher, Berbatov and Giggs netting.

8. The players are out on the pitch and kick-off is closing in, there are going to be some nervous observers in North London this evening I reckon.

9. The sun is out in Newcastle, which makes it even more surprising that I haven't yet spotted a fat, balding Toon fan with his top off!

10. Wait a second, there he is!

11. Just realised I am going to have to call United Man Utd throughout the game to avoid confusion with Newcastle. That's plenty of extra typing for me to look forward to!

12. Right, we're off...

13. 1'

    O'Shea looks long for Hernandez but Coloccini rises to win the header.

14. 1'

    Good break from former Man Utd youngster Danny Simpson but he gives it away to Nani after advancing up the wing.

15. 2'

    Great touch from Krul to deny Hernandez!

16. 2'

    Rooney peeled away down the left wing and slid the cross in to Chicharito but Krul got a hand in to prevent the Mexican getting a goalscoring touch.

17. 3'

    Ameobi fires a speculative effort high over the bar

18. 4'

    Cheeky back-heel from Nani looking for a one-two with Rooney but the return pass is overcooked.

19. 4'

    Great tempo to this game so far and Barton just had a chance at the back post. Gutierrez's cross fell to the midfielder and he took a touch but tried to pulled it back instead of going for goal. Vidic poked clear.

20. 5'

    Mazy run from Gutierrez ends in his curling shot being deflected out for a corner.

21. 6'

    Gutierrez, looking very lively, crosses from the right this time to Ameobi, who stretches to divert the ball goalwards at the back post. Van der Sar saves though.

22. 7'

    Lovenkrands springs the offside trap but Smalling recovers to block his shhot out for a corner.

23. 7'

    A header from Coloccini is prodded goalwards by Lovenkrands. It's another corner.

24. 8'

    Tiote strikes one from 30 yards - a fizzing low drive that Van der Sar does well to keep hold of. He had visions of his thunderbolt against Arsenal.

25. 9'

    Giggs closed down by Barton and the Welshman fouls him on the right wing.

26. 9'

    Barton delivers and Vidic heads it away for ANOTHER corner.

27. 10'

    United clear their lines after an attempted dummy on the edge of the box spins harmlessly away.

28. 10'

    Wow. What an amazing opening ten minutes.

29. 11'

    Barton bursts down the right - he's playing like his life depends on it out there - but his cross is overhit.

30. 11'

    Now United have a corner down the other end, Nani to take.

31. 11'

    There is smoke coming off my fingers - this is the most I've ever had to type in the first ten minutes of a game! Newcastle looking fantastic and well up for it. Man Utd title talk is a little premature.

32. 12'

    Nani delivers the corner but Hernandez is penalised for holding Barton.

33. 13'

    Barton is taking the game of the scruff of the neck with regular captain Kevin Nolan serving the final game of a suspension. I wonder if there will be any chicken dance celebrations in tribute.

34. 14'

    Carrick drags a 20-yard left-foot shot tamely wide of Krul's left-hand post.

35. 15'

    Lovenkrands again gets in behind Smalling and Vidic, but the Serbian this time recovers to hoof the ball away. Man Utd looking shaky at the back.

36. 15'

    Newcastle corner won by Gutierrez after a penetrating run down the left wing.

37. 16'

    Smalling and Anderson get it away but the black and white wave returns immediately.

38. 17'

    Barton crosses to the back post but Williamson and Ameobi get in each other's way.

39. 18'

    Hernandez hits an optimistic one from all of 30 yards but Krul was never troubled.

40. 19'

    <i>Stats: Man Utd have won 13 of their last 16 encounters with Newcastle. </i>

41. 19'

    Rooney fires over, that was a real chance.

42. 19'

    Rooney lifted the ball over an onrushing Williamson and was clean through, but his finish was sky high and lacked composure.

43. 20'

    The crowd, as always, sound immense at St James' Park - it's a cracking atmosphere.

44. 20'

    Gutierrez once more the corner winner for Newcastle.

45. 21'

    Coloccini and Williamson are up, but Vidic heads it away and Nani looks to break.

46. 22'

    But then slips on the ball and gives away a throw-in.

47. 23'

    A tenacious challenge from Barton dispossesses Anderson and Newcastle win a free-kick after Giggs fells Gutierrez. Between 25 and 30 yards out and fairly central this one.

48. 24'

    Barton the man stepping up.

49. 25'

    Straight into Van der Sar's arms. That wasn't the sort of quality I'd expect from someone who labels himself England's best midfielder!

50. 26'

    Man Utd haven't built up any rhythm yet - Newcastle aren't letting them, they are playing a hugely effective pressing game.

51. 27'

    Nani chips one towards O'Shea on the right-side of the penalty area and Krul gets caught in two minds. The ball comes back to Nani who slices a shot wide.

52. 27'

    Nani goes down inside the area to a chorus of boos from Newcastle fans. No penalty.

53. 28'

    He went down far too easily and there was minimal contact from Gutierrez. The ref has a word with the Portuguese winger and must have been close to booking him for diving.

54. 29'

    Gutierrez strikes wide from just inside the left edge of the box. Newcastle still looking dangerous.

55. 30'

    <i>This is Jonas Gutierrez's 100th league appearance for Newcastle. </i>

56. 31'

    Fair play to Pardew, he's told his players to have a good crack at Man Utd and they are doing just that. A spirited and dominant showing from the home side thus far.

57. 32'

    O'Shea crosses from the right and Hernandez climbs above Simpson but his header is straight at Krul and lacked power.

58. 33'

    Simpson a bit woozy after that as I think Chicharito caught the defender's head on the way through.

59. 34'

    Rooney sees some space open up after a decent period of possession but there are just too many Newcastle bodies for Man Utd to cope with on the edge of the box.

60. 35'

    Giggs tries to pull a left-wing cross back for Anderson, but it's cleared away. The Welshman has a second bite at the cherry and wins a Man Utd corner.

61. 36'

    Neat exchange betwen Rooney and Hernandez but the Magpies standing firm against some heavy bombardment from Sir Alex's side.

62. 37'

    <i>Stats: Man Utd have only won five of their last 16 Premier League away games. </i>

63. 38'

    Man Utd have enjoyed 66% possession over the past ten minutes. They are trying to step it up but Newcastle are doing a great job of frustrating their opponents.

64. 39'

    Sir Alex still sporting his rather fetching ear-piece from up in the stands, I still think a paper cup with a string would have been more entertaining.

65. 40'

    Ameobi wrestles with Smalling on the edge of the box - both players have a handful of shirt but it's Newcastle who have the free-kick.

66. 41'

    Barton again eyeing it up, slightly better for a right footer this one.

67. 41'

    It seemed to be half cross, half shot and drifted slowly towards Van der Sar, who collected but should perhaps have been put under more pressure by the Magpies.

68. 42'

    Giggs releases Hernandez but Coloccini gets his body in the way and eases the Mexican off the ball. It's been a fruitless evening so far for the Man Utd striker.

69. 43'

    Lovenkrands with a free header but it's nodded wide, he looked as surprised as anyone that the ball reached him.

70. 44'

    This time, Lovenkrands shoots from 25 yards but his effort is high and wide.

71. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Carrick booked for catching Ameobi's leg in midfield. Seemed a tad harsh.

72. 45'

    Rooney engineers a fantastic break with a cross-field ball to Giggs, who plays in Hernandez. But Williamson is able to block the striker's shot.

73. 45'

    There goes the half-time whistle.

74. 45'

    <b>Newcastle 0-0 Man Utd.</b> A hugely entertaining first 15 minutes fizzled out a little bit towards the end of the half. Credit to Newcastle, who have attacked with verve and intent, while also frustrating their opponents in possession with a high-pressing game.

75. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0419/nanicheiktiotebattle20110419_275x155.jpg"><br> Nani and Tiote battle for the ball.

76. 45'

    Remember, you can follow us on Twitter. For all things ESPNsoccernet, @ESPNSoccernet is unsurprisingly the destination for all you Twitterati.

77. 45'

    Should Man Utd slip up here, Arsenal have a chance to reassert themselves on the title race on Wednesday. It's a difficult game for them to do so though, <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview/_/id/293004?cc=5739" target="_blank">a North London derby against Spurs awaits.</a>

78. 45'

    Second half almost ready to begin, no changes as yet. Man Utd out on the pitch as Newcastle stay in the tunnel.

79. 45'

    Here they are, all coming out together in a Joey Barton-inspired show of unity. And not a cigar in sight!

80. 45'

    And we're off for the second 45...

81. 46'

    <i>Stats: Man Utd are unbeaten at St James' Park since September 2001, when they lost 4-3. </i>

82. 47'

    Nani whips a cross in that breaks to Giggs ont he left wing. The Welshman does well to pull it back to Rooney, who crosses towards Nani. Corner Man Utd.

83. 47'

    Clash of heads between team-mates Simpson and Williamson, with the latter crashing into the former. That looked pretty nasty. It's another Man Utd corner though.

84. 48'

    And here comes a third delivery.

85. 48'

    Tiote hooks it away and Evra collects for a throw-in on the left.

86. 49'

    A fourth corner in as many minutes now for the league leaders, but again nothing comes of it. A nice piece of skill from Nani created that chance.

87. 50'

    It's been all Sir Alex's side in the opening exchanges. Newcastle sitting very deep.

88. 51'

    Nani crosses to Giggs but his header - a free one, with not a sole around - was poor and directly at Krul.

89. 52'

    Rooney, Hernandez and Giggs link up well but the final ball from the veteran is poor and Newcastle can breathe again.

90. 53'

    Newcastle just need to take a second to regroup here. What's happened to the efficient workhorses of the first half?

91. 54'

    Wonderful diagonal ball from Carrick to Giggs, whose cross is met by Hernandez but deflected off Williamson to safety.

92. 55'

    Rooney sprays it to Nani, but his shot may well have reached the River Tyne. It is a long, long way over.

93. 56'

    O'Shea fouls Gutierrez who appears a little upset by the Irishman's physicality.

94. 57'

    Nani again crossing from the right, this time Krul collects.

95. 58'

    Lovenkrands down the other end goes over in the box. The referee shakes his head.

96. 58'

    The noise levels are rising as the Magpies finally show some attacking intent.

97. 59'

    The replay appeared to show Anderson wrapping his leg around Lovenkrands', maybe it was a pen.

98. 60'

    Newcastle free-kick from the right, O'Shea slices his clearance and Lovenkrands heads the loose ball over and pays for it with a clash of heads with Vidic. Ouch.

99. 61'

    <i>Stats: Newcastle have won just two of their last seven Premier League games at St James' Park. </i>

100. 63'

     Anderson witha dllightful through ball to Hernandezm who looked to be running the foot race with Coloccini. Superb defending from the Argentina defender to shepherd him off the ball.

101. 64'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Tiote brings down Rooney and gets a booking for his trouble.

102. 65'

     Lovenkrands tugs Carrick back when he was at full flight, free-kick to Man Utd about 30 yards out. Rooney sizing it up.

103. 66'

     No problem for Krul. He clutches it close to his chest.

104. 67'

     Smalling falls awkwardly after jumping with Ameobi for a header. He's trying to shake it off now.

105. 68'

     Gutierrez with a probing run but it finishes with him tumbling over unconvincingly after a heavy touch.

106. 69'

     Man Utd straight down the other end - Hernandez releases Evra, who pulls it back for Giggs. The Welshman has the goal at his mercy from 12 yards but somehow side-footed wide.

107. 70'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ireland on for Lovenkrands

108. 70'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Valencia on for Anderson.

109. 70'

     Stephen Ireland making his Newcastle debut, but will the former Man City man be able to conjure a goal for the Magpies.

110. 71'

     <i>Stats: Ryan Giggs completed just 65% of his passes in the first half. That was the lowest of the 20 outfield players.</i>

111. 72'

     Ireland takes a volley superbly on the turn - it had Van der Sar chasing but just drifted wide.

112. 73'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Ranger on for Ameobi

113. 73'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0419/waynerooneyprotestingvnewcastle20110419_275x155.jpg"><br> Wayne Rooney vents his spleen to the referee.

114. 74'

     Vidic temporarily leaves the pitch after suffering a cut to his face.

115. 75'

     Giggs tries to find Rooney after a marauding run through midfield, but his pass is far too firm. The oldest player on the pitch has struggled today.

116. 76'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Williamson fouls Nani

117. 76'

     Free-kick on the edge of the box. Rooney and Nani eye it up.

118. 77'

     Rooney stepped over it and Giggs hit it. A big deflection off the wall takes it out for a corner.

119. 78'

     Nani takes it into the area with Gutierrez in close attendance but he manages to get a shot away. It didn't curl quite as much as he wanted though and was never troubling Krul.

120. 79'

     Ireland and Barton exchange well in midfield but Vidic intercepts to win it back.

121. 80'

     Rooney unleashes a wild shot from 25 yard that sails over.

122. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Owen on for Nani.

123. 81'

     What a reception form the Newcastle fans. A terrible one that is. Boos ring around St James' Park for the former striker, who left the club after their relegation in 2009.

124. 82'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/2011/0419/peterlovenkrandsshotvsunited20110419_275x155.jpg"><br> Peter Lovenkrands tries his luck before coming off.

125. 83'

     The game is deteriorating into quite a scrappy affair - where are the chances lads?!

126. 85'

     Ranger accelerates away down the left as the volume increases around St James' Park.

127. 85'

     But Man Utd coming straight back at them, the tempo has quickened again.

128. 85'

     Poor play from O'Shea sees the move break down.

129. 87'

     <i>Stats: Man Utd have won an extra 13 points from goals in the last 15 minutes of games this season.</i>

130. 88'

     Lovely bit of movement from Owen sees some space open up.

131. 88'

     O'Shea has it on the right and crosses for Giggs, who turns and once again spoons his shot wide.

132. 89'

     Good battling for Carrick in midfield to set Valencia away. His cross is too deep for Owen and Rooney though.

133. 90'

     Newcastle breathe again, and we will have four added minutes.

134. 91'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Hernadez booked for diving.

135. 91'

     I think Danny Simpson may be a lucky boy there, not sure how much intent there was in terms of cheating from Chicharito.

136. 93'

     Just a minute to go and it's got 0-0 written all over it.

137. 93'

     United piling on the pressure...

138. 94'

     Valencia picks out Rooney with a cross but it's wide from the England striker.

139. 94'

     And that is that.

140. 94'

     <b>Newcastle 0-0 Man Utd.</b> What threatened to be an electric, end-to-end game really fizzled out, especially in the second half. I feel sorry for referee Lee Ptobert because I reckon Sir Alex may not be able to resist a dig after that late penalty refusal. There's hope for the chasing pack with Man Utd seven points ahead of Arsenal now. Thanks for tuning in folks and be sure to return for Spurs v Arsenal on Wednesday.

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