Newcastle United 1 Middlesbrough 1
IT was honours even in the 112th league meeting as Boro snatched a late equaliser in a dramatic finish, writes GORDON COX from St James' Park.
Emanuel Pogatetz returned from injury to start, but there was no place in the 16 for Mido. Lee Cattermole was drafted in to a 4-5-1 formation,with Jeremie Aliadiere the solitary striker.
The United side showed two changes from that which lost against Arsenal in midweek , with David Rozehnal out on loan at Lazio and James Milner dropping to the bench, while Emre returned from suspension and Joey Barton was in from the start.
Former Boro star Mark Viduka started the game on the bench.
The Newcastle fans were very subdued leading up to kick-off and there was a 'Sunday afternoon' atmosphere in St James', apart from 3,000 Teessiders intent on having a good time.
A full repertoire of songs was in full flow when Boro were given an almighty scare and an even bigger let-off. With just under five minutes played United swung over a right-wing corner, Mark Schwarzer, under pressure, dropped the ball inside the six-yard box and Michael Owen put it in the net.
But Tyneside celebrations were cut short as referee Mike Dean disallowed the goal, presumably reasoning that there had been a foul on the Boro goalkeeper.
Mr Dean was busy again a few minutes later when harshly booking David Wheater for a foul on Alan Smith.
Flowing football was at a premium with both sides trying first to match the endeavour of the other, but then unable to impose their own style.
United saw more of the ball and won a series of corners in the opening 20 minutes, but Boro's backline, as they have for several games, stood firm and looked difficult to pass.
The midfield area was congested as United had pulled three into the centre to match up with Boro, but by and large they were non-creative and served predominantly as spoilers.
Boro found it difficult to create chances of their own, but gradually they began to find more space and on a day when it was clear chances would be limited, Aliadiere ought to have done better than to hit a low shot rather tamely at Shay Given.
Charles N'Zogbia is a reluctant left-back and it came as no surprise that much of United's better stuff came when the young Frenchman moved forward.
But Boro were beginning to look good on the break with Luke Young, Gary O'Neil and Stewart Downing often combining well to stretch their hosts, but there remained the merest glimpse of a chance.
Half-time: Newcastle United 0 Middlesbrough 0
Boro had ended an ordinary half looking quite bright and that continued into the second, winning a corner in the opening two minutes when O'Neil's low shot from a Downing pullback was deflected by behind by Steven Taylor.
There was a half-chance for Boro a few minutes later when Aliadiere was sent through. As Given advanced an angled lob was an option, but the ball hit his knee, allowing Claudio Cacapa time to clear.
Back came Boro and a low left-footed drive from Downing brought a full-length save from Given. The ball fell to O'Neil, who elected to shoot from a narrow angle instead of squaring to Aliadiere - Given saved again at his near post.
When Emre was adjudged to have fouled Cattermole on the edge of the box, Boro were awarded a free-kick in a potentially dangerous situation. But Robert Huth hit a wild shot well over.
However, it was Newcastle who made the breakthrough with 59 minutes played.
Young disputed the decision to award a free-kick against him for a foul on N'Zogbia out wide on the Boro right. Emre swung over a fine delivery and one of the smallest men on the park, Michael Owen, rose high on the edge of the six-yard box to head home United's first goal under Kevin Keegan's renewed leadership.
Following a double Keegan change which saw Smith and Emre replaced by Milner and Viduka, Boro created a chance to draw level when O'Neil teased his way past Cacapa but shot inches wide of Given's right-hand post.
United broke, the game now having more pace than at any time up to this point in the afternoon. N'Zogbia swung over a deep cross from the left and Milner was inches away from making it two.
Boro needed to change shape and Southgate replaced Cattermole with Dong Gook Lee as Boro went 4-4-2.
United created a fine chance to go two up with just less than 15 minutes remaining as Milner worked his way into the Boro box and picked out Owen, but his shot from 12 yards was still rising as it cleared the bar by a foot,
It was Boro's turn to press next and a low left-footed shot from Wheater from the edge of the box brought a spreading save from Given. He couldn't hold the shot and it spilled in the direction of Lee, but as he approached the ball Cacapa came in with a flying challenge to clear.
The equaliser came three minutes from the end of normal time as Arca swung over a deep cross, two Boro players looked offside as the delivery came in but Robert Huth rose high on the edge of the six-yard box to loop a header across and over Given.
Two minutes later Wheater volleyed for goal on the turn, but Given was well placed.
In a storming last few minutes Boro thought they had grabbed a winner when a Downing free-kick thudded back of Given's left-hand post and Aliadiere smashed in from close range. But the Frenchman was adjudged offside when the shot was taken.
Newcastle United: Given; Carr, Taylor, Cacapa, N'Zogbia, Barton, Butt, Emre (Milner 65), Duff, Smith (Viduka 66), Owen (Capt). Unused subs: Forster (gk); Edgar, Ameobi.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Young, Wheater, Huth, Pogatetz, O'Neil, Arca (Capt), Rochemback (Johnson 78), Cattermole (Lee 71), Downing, Aliadiere. Unused subs: Turnbull (gk); Grounds, Boateng.
Referee Mike Dean, The Wirral, Cheshire.
Bookings
Newcastle United: Smith, 62, foul.
Middlesbrough: Wheater, 8, foul; Aliadiere, 41, foul; Rochemback, 52, foul; O'Neil 59, dissent.
Attendance: 51,105
Conditions: Cold and breezy.
Website Boro Man of the Match: Julio Arca
