Edgar talk of the Toon after ‘dream’ home debut for Magpies

NEWCASTLE teenager David Edgar saw his dream come true as he marked his home debut with a long-range strike to deny Manchester United victory.

The 19-year-old central defender found himself employed as an emergency left-back on Monday night, a role which brought him into close contact with in-form winger Cristiano Ronaldo and Welsh legend Ryan Giggs, after former United midfielder Nicky Butt failed a late fitness test.

But not only did he stand tall in a makeshift back four which also included fellow teenager Paul Huntington, 20-year-old Steven Taylor and eight-winger Nolberto Solano, he had a major say in the result and perhaps the destination of this season’s Barclays Premiership title.

The Magpies trailed 2-1 with 17 minutes remaining when Edgar let fly from 30 yards and with the help of a deflection off Paul Scholes, saw the ball fly past Edwin van der Sar to snatch a precious point.

Canada Under-20 international Edgar said: “It is a dream to score against anybody at St James’ Park, but to do it against a team that are trying to win the Premiership is extra special. It was a great start, but it came because of injury. I wasn’t even expecting to play, so it is a great feeling.

“I was told I’d be playing because Nicky Butt was injured and the gaffer just told me to do a job for the team at left-back. He had confidence in me.

“I was a bit nervous, but I just tried to play my normal game. The goal was a very nice bonus.”

Edgar’s father Eddie, who played just one game for the Magpies in the 1976 FA Cup quarter-final — also as the result of injuries — was in the crowd to witness his son’s big night six days after his senior bow at Bolton.

Such is the growing confidence within St James’ Park that former Manchester City striker Antoine Sibierski later apologised for not winning the game with a first-half header which he directed straight at Van der Sar.

The Frenchman said: “Even though it was a great save, you can say I should have scored. It was just before half-time, and it could have changed the game.

“I’m not going to have a good night and I apologise to all Newcastle fans because maybe we could have won if I’d scored.”

The Football Association are to write to Everton as they investigate allegations of racist abuse by Newcastle midfielder Emre.

Referee Dermot Gallagher, who took charge of the Toffees’ 3-0 win over Glenn Roeder’s men on Saturday, did not hear comments allegedly made by the 26-year-old Turkey international to goalkeeper Tim Howard and defender Joleon Lescott.

However, he mentioned he had been informed of the claims in his report, which was received by the FA today.