Injured Pride

In the 16th minute of Newcastle United’s game against Portsmouth at St James Park, Kieron Dyer’s exquisite through ball was delicately lifted over the advancing David James’ body by Obafemi Martins, only for the ‘goal’ to be ruled offside. Controversially to say the least.

But all was not lost, because in the 68th minute N’Zogbia crossed to Antoine Sibierski who finished expertly. It was a kind of ironic justice – a goal allowed in spite of the fact that the player was offside, to erase the memory of a goal disallowed even though the scorer was onside.

It was also no more than Newcastle deserved. In an attractive game between two sides who like to play the game properly, they created the better chances and the narrow margin of their victory owed much to the brilliance of David James in the Portsmouth goal.

But the Geordie fans were never allowed to forget that Newcastle United are a club seemingly destined to be dogged by a succession of injuries, without which they would surely be in a much better position in the Premier League. Kieron Dyer, who was outstanding, sustained a deep gash in his thigh after the momentum of a Sol Campbell tackle sent him crashing into the advertising hoardings. Captain Scott Parker left the field with a back injury and he was followed by James Milner (hip) and Charles N’Zogbia (shin) – just to add to existing problems with the loss of players of the calibre of Owen, Ameobi and Duff.

And when you take all that into account, the performances of Glenn Roeder’s men, in the Premiership and especially in European competition, have been nothing short of heroic.