Shearer gets elbow from Ferguson

ALEX FERGUSON claims he is no longer surprised when Alan Shearer elbows players yet escapes punishment from Barclaycard Premiership referees.

The Manchester United boss reflected with regret on an incident in the third minute of Saturday's match at St James' Park in which Newcastle's former England captain caught Roy Keane with his elbow.

Shearer was not disciplined by referee Steve Dunn but was later yellow-carded for a foul on defender John O'Shea.

Ferguson said: "We have seen him elbowing players before. I am disappointed but I should not be surprised."

The United boss was otherwise happy with a match which finished 6-2 to his team as the Red Devils staked their claim for the title with an imperious dismissal of one-time contenders Newcastle.

"The scoreline tells you it is the best performance of the season really," he said.

"It is great to get six goals at Newcastle such a difficult place to come to, and you have to conquer the atmosphere and the fans.

"We recovered (from Newcastle's early goal) and then played some great football. Going in 4-1 up at half-time was a fair reflection of how well we played."

Ferguson has great respect for Bobby Robson's Magpies and that made him all the more impressed with his own team's efforts. "They are an awesome team on their home ground, but you saw our capabilities," he said.

The crushing victory on Tyneside capped an impressive surge which has put United in pole position for the championship.

"I think we have given ourselves a genuine chance (of the title)," added Ferguson. "We have built up form and momentum in the last few weeks, and the motivation in the dressing room has been fantastic."

Following Saturday's win, United's showdown with fellow heavyweights Arsenal at Highbury on Wednesday is being billed as a potential title decider and Ferguson is not about to argue with that.

"It is the game of the season no doubt about that," he said.

Paul Scholes, whose hat-trick from midfield helped to undermine Newcastle, is another anticipating a battle royal with the Gunners.

"It is a massive game and one we are all looking forward to," he said. "After this great win we are hoping we can carry it on on Wednesday."

Meanwhile, a defiant Sir Bobby Robson has backed his shell-shocked Newcastle side to bounce back from their mauling by United by not losing another game this season.

The Magpies' own hopes of pipping United and Arsenal to the big prize were effectively ended in controversial circumstances at Everton last Sunday week, but any lingering dreams of a late surge were dealt a savage and fatal blow as the men from Old Trafford strode out on to enemy territory and demolished one of their closest competitors.

United believe their Champions League quarter-final with the mighty Real Madrid is not yet over.

Robson was left to come to terms with only his side's second home defeat in 17 Barclaycard Premiership games this season, a run which had previously seen them concede just 10 goals.