Duff back as Magpies steal point

FOR Damien Duff it was if he had never been away. Injured since April, the Republic of Ireland international finally started his season four months’ late but the winger may wish he hadn’t bothered.

The Newcastle United team he left behind was laboured, lethargic and sorely lacking invention. A change in ownership and management may have led Duff to believe things were getting better but the former Chelsea playmaker must have been sorely disappointed as he left the field following an encouraging 22-minute cameo.

If this was a match Derby did not deserve to lose then it was also one Newcastle never deserved to win.