Newcastle ended a disastrous season with a morale-boosting draw against
runaway champions Chelsea to give their long-suffering fans a glimmer of hope
for the future.
Geremi's own goal - just the 15th the Blues had conceded all season - had
given Graeme Souness' men a 33rd-minute lead, although Frank Lampard levelled
from the penalty spot within a minute after former team-mate Celestine Babayaro
was adjudged to have fouled Eidur Gudjohnsen.
The Magpies might have taken all three points had Carlo Cudicini not clawed
away Patrick Kluivert's 70th-minute header, but Shay Given had to produce an
even better save seven minutes from time to keep out Jiri Jarosik's deflected
drive.
The draw denied Chelsea a 30th league win of the season, although they picked
up another record, that for the lowest number of goals conceded, beating
Arsenal's record of 17.
Newcastle were left to reflect upon a campaign which promised much, but
delivered little, although the point they picked up meant that they at least
avoided setting a new points low in their time in the Premiership by equalling
the 44 they collected under Kenny Dalglish in 1997-98.
The players thanked a crowd of 52,326 for their support throughout a difficult
campaign after the final whistle - Frenchman Laurent Robert apparently taking
his leave by throwing all but his underpants into the Gallowgate End - but they
left the field knowing that much, much better is required next season.
Alan Shearer and his team-mates provided a guard of honour for the
newly-crowned champions as the walked out, with Babayaro, who made the
switch from Stamford Bridge to St James' Park in January, among their ranks in
his black and white shirt.
The plan was to respect the visitors' achievement and then to remind them
that, just two seasons ago, they were left trailing in the Magpies' wake and
that they would be back.
As a ploy, it was successful in part as a game which had the smell of a
pre-season friendly about it unfolded in mildly entertaining fashion.
Newcastle had little for which to play other than pride, and only another
record was at stake for the Londoners.
They started the afternoon having conceded only 14 league goals, but that
became 15 after 33 minutes, although Newcastle could take only part of the
credit.
Shearer got up well to flick on Charles N'Zogbia's inswinging corner, and as
Titus Bramble prepared to pounce at the far post, Geremi could only help the
ball into his own net.
The home side, who have spent much of the season bemoaning their luck, were
almost too embarrassed to celebrate. But they need not have worried - further
misfortune was just around the corner.
Just seconds later, Babayaro was adjudged, perhaps harshly, to have dragged
back Gudjohnsen, who needed no persuasion to go to ground, and referee Howard
Webb pointed to the spot.
Lampard slipped as he ran up to the ball, but he made good enough contact to
send it over Given and into the net to level.
Both sides were trying to play enterprising football, but Given had little to
do before the break and opposite number Cudicini was troubled only by a James
Milner corner which almost crept under his crossbar.
With full-back Stephen Carr failing to re-appear through injury after the
break, Souness sent on youngster Steven Taylor in his place, although it was
down the other flank that Chelsea launched their first attack of the half with
Lampard firing straight at Given after being set up by Tiago.
But the home side should have regained the lead with 48 minutes gone when
Darren Ambrose found space in the box and pulled the ball back for Jermaine
Jenas, only for him to miss his kick in front of goal.
It was Milner providing the ammunition on 54 minutes when, after N'Zogbia and
fought well for possession, he rounded Glen Johnson and crossed to the far post,
only for Kluivert to be penalised for a push on Geremi, the Dutch
international's protests earning him a booking.
Tiago and Ricardo Carvalho were to follow him in quick succession after the
former lashed out at Taylor and the latter prevented the resulting free-kick
from being taken quickly, and Chelsea were looking decidedly rattled.
Jenas became the seventh player to be cautioned for a tug on Claude Makelele's
shirt on 59 minutes, but the impetus was with the Tynesiders and the home crowd
responded to it as the game entered its final half-hour.
Milner was causing all kinds of problems as he switched from wing to wing and
Babayaro lashed a 20-yard volley just wide on 65 minutes.
Given had to pull off a good one-handed save to keep out Gudjohnsen's
73rd-minute left-foot drive as the visitors rallied, but as Kluivert, perhaps
for the final time, made way for Michael Chopra 15 minutes from time, the Toon
Army sensed an opportunity.
Geremi rescued Cudicini with eight minutes remaining when he cleared off the
line after the keeper had punched an N'Zogbia corner straight at Johnson, but it
took a superb save from Given to keep out Jarosik's deflection drive seconds
later.
Teams
Newcastle Given, Carr (Taylor 45), Boumsong, Bramble,
Babayaro, Jenas, Ambrose, N'Zogbia, Milner, Shearer,
Kluivert (Chopra 76).
Subs Not Used: Andrew O'Brien, Harper, Robert.
Booked: Babayaro, N'Zogbia, Kluivert, Jenas.
Goals: Geremi 33 og.
Chelsea Cudicini, Geremi, Ricardo Carvalho, Huth, Johnson,
Makelele, Jarosik (Watt 90), Tiago, Lampard,
Cole (Nuno Morais 89), Gudjohnsen (Oliveira 84).
Subs Not Used: Cech, Grant.
Booked: Cole, Ricardo Carvalho, Tiago, Geremi.
Goals: Lampard 35 pen.
Att: 52,326
Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).
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