Fergie's point of frustration

THE fat lady may be clearing her throat, but there remains hope, however slim, for Arsenal, and even perhaps Chelsea.

Both saw their deficit to the Premier League leaders increased, but only by a single point to seven and nine respectively. With Manchester United still due to face Carlo Ancelotti’s side, in addition to a visit to the Emirates before another fascinating campaign reaches its denouement, Arsene Wenger may still be able to get his hands on a title his team appear to have been trying their best to toss away for much of the season.

Despite failing to deliver a decisive blow Alex Ferguson’s side will still be relatively satisfied with a share of the spoils, because for their effort and work-rate alone Newcastle deserved something tangible for this compelling contest.

Had Ryan Giggs not scuffed his shot from 10 yards when it appeared easier to score from an inviting cut-back provided by Patrice Evra, United’s lead could have been a rather more comfortable nine points, but the usually reliable midfielder instead found the advertising boards.

Even so, Wenger’s side are well into must-win territory in their remaining half a dozen games, starting tonight at Tottenham. Even should they emerge victorious for White Hart Lane, United are likely to require three wins from their final five games to win the title.

“I’m confident we’ll be fine,’’ Ferguson insisted. “We’re in a better position than we were on Saturday. There’s one game less and we’re in the same position. We also have to look at Chelsea, they’ve got three home games in a row now.’’

If he was somewhat effusive about Chelsea, the Manchester United manager was rather less gracious when it came to referee Lee Probert, who booked Javier Hernandez for diving at the death when Ferguson, unsurprisingly, felt there had been contact with Danny Simpson, the former Manchester United defender.

“It was a clear penalty on Hernandez, and it was an insult to book him,’’ the Scot insisted.

Newcastle had equal claims earlier in the half when Lovenkrands seemed to be tripped by Anderson. “I have not seen the challenge on Lovenkrands,’’ the myopic manager added.

His counterpart clearly had, and Alan Pardew said: “The foul on Lovenkrands was an absolute certain penalty and I could not believe he did not give it.’’

On the night, Newcastle made up for in energy and effervescence what they lacked in quality to Ferguson’s men. Jonas Gutierrez caught the eye, and the winger went close when he left three defenders trailing to cut inside and try his luck from 20 yards.

The South American’s thumping angled drive deflected narrowly wide off defender Chris Smalling.

Newcastle were impressive but could well have gone into the interval two goals to the good, had it not been for Tim Krul, the stand-in Newcastle keeper one of three changes for the hosts.

With a little more than 100 seconds on the clock, Wayne Rooney went down United’s left flank to thread over a low centre across the six-yard box which was met by Hernandez, only for the Mexican to see his effort smothered almost before it had left his foot by Newcastle’s flying Dutchman.

Soon after it appeared Rooney had spurned the contest’s clearest opening when after good work by Nani and Hernandez, the returning forward’s shot flew over the crossbar with defenders conspicuous by their absence.

To the naked eye it seemed the height of profligacy, but replays showed Krul had applied the decisive final touch to divert the ball, a moment of brilliance also missed by the officials, who awarded a goal-kick.

Stephen Ireland, on for a belated debut three months after his arrival on loan from Aston Villa, almost made an instant impact when on as a late substitute, the injury-prone midfielder fired narrowly wide, but after Nani’s angled drive flew inches wide at the death, anything more than a point for the hosts would have flattered them.

Subs for Newcastle: Ireland for Lovenkrands 69, Ranger for Ameobi 72.

Subs for United: Owen for Nani, 80), Valencia for Anderson 70.

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).