OT test for Magpies
10 Mar 2006 - 07:21:07
Newcastle United bid to extend their six-match unbeaten run under caretaker boss Glenn Roeder when they visit Manchester United on Sunday lunchtime.
It will be the toughest game the Magpies have had since Graeme Souness' axing at the beginning of last month, but Roeder has nevertheless presided over an amazing transformation at St James' Park.
Newcastle have reached the sixth round of the FA Cup after beating Southampton 1-0 and also secured three-point hauls against Bolton, Everton, Aston Villa and Portsmouth as well as drawing 0-0 with Charlton Athletic.
Those results have lifted the club up to 11th in the table and to within only five points of fifth-placed Arsenal - quite a turnaround since there was talk of relegation following the dismal 3-0 defeat at Manchester City just over five weeks ago.
The improvement in results has come despite being without the services of Michael Owen (foot), Stephen Carr (hernia) and Steven Taylor (shoulder), while Kieron Dyer and Titus Bramble (both hamstring) have also been sidelined recently.
Newcastle travel to Old Trafford though, knowing that Manchester United have second spot in their sights as they look to build on last month's Carling Cup success.
Monday's somewhat fortunate 2-1 victory at Wigan Athletic courtesy of Pascal Chimbonda's last-gasp own goal was their third successive Premiership success, and the goals are flowing with nine netted in those victories.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suffered a fractured cheekbone in the midweek reserve team draw against Middlesbrough's second string following a clash with Ugo Ehiogu.
The Norwegian is unlikely to play again this season and joins Alan Smith (broken leg and dislocated ankle), Paul Scholes (eye) and Gabrial Heinze (knee) on the long-term injured list.
In the third game of the season, Manchester United eased to a 2-0 victory at St James' Park when two Jean-Alain Boumsong errors allowed Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy to score second-half goals.
Last season at Old Trafford, Rooney and Wes Brown were on target as Sir Alex Ferguson's side won 2-1, Darren Ambrose netting for the visitors.