Newcastle United Football Club

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52193

Kinnear hails Magpies fight

23 Nov 2008 - 10:43:47

Click To Enlarge

Joe Kinnear hailed the commitment of his players after Newcastle United held league leaders Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.

The interim manager celebrated being given another month in charge of the Magpies by owner Mike Ashley with a hard-fought point in the capital and afterwards Kinnear was in jubilant mood.

"I make no apology for playing for a draw," he said.

"In the last three days we've been planning to force Chelsea to play in front of us, which I thought we did very well.

"Although Chelsea had more possession than ourselves, they didn't create a clear-cut chance really. Everything was long shots and Shay Given pulled off a world-class save.

"It is probably the best team performance we've had away from home this year.

"We got bodies in the way and the two centre-halves were magnificent. They got their just rewards today.

"We dug in there and it feels like a win in the dressing room.

"We drew with Wigan at home and that felt like a loss, but this feels like a victory."