Newcastle United 2, Middlesbrough 0

Dec 21 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

WHEN Newcastle United and Middlesbrough last met, in May, it was as equals unsuccessfully fighting relegation. When the Championship fixtures computer paired them a week before the crucial Christmas period, it looked like this Tyne-Tees derby could be almost as important, but for the right reasons.

Yet since Gareth Southgate’s October departure the one-point gap between the local rivals has opened up into a 20-point chasm. There was little between the sides for much of yesterday’s game, but the reasons they are so far apart in the league table were still laid bare.

Newcastle are ten points clear at the top of the Championship despite rarely having hit the heights this season. Where once they specialised in style over substance, the reverse is now true. The Magpies have mastered the art of capitalising on the small details which decide football matches.

Having both jarred ankles in the early stages, neither Marlon Harewood nor Shola Ameobi had a massive impact on general play, but their goals decided its result.

At the other end four Boro strikers tried and failed to provide any cutting edge. And while Brad Jones got a little too caught up in the spirit of giving, opposite number Steve Harper showed greater quality and – no less importantly – luck.

While Newcastle always looked more likely winners, it was not until the result was beyond doubt that they applied concerted pressure on Jones’ goal. Instead, it took the Australian’s error to give them a foothold in the game.

Ameobi pushed Emanuel Pogatetz as the pair challenged for Danny Guthrie’s 16th-minute free-kick, but Jones was the real culprit. The goalkeeper left his line and a faint-hearted attempt to collect the ball allowed Ameobi to head into the path of Harewood, yards from goal.

Finally getting up to speed after missing pre-season, the on-loan striker’s goalscoring form – four goals in five games – is well-timed with his future up for discussion in the coming weeks.

Jones showed his vulnerability again minutes later, coming to collect a routine long ball and spilling it from his penalty area.

From the right touchline, Guthrie was unable to take advantage of the goalkeeper’s absence.

The contrast with Harper was quickly highlighted.

He was off his line quickly to deal with an under-hit backpass and when the ball went loose in midfield, Guthrie swooped onto the danger.