The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 18

18 SPORTS NEWS The Guardian Monday May 6 1996 Premiership: Newcastle United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1 Daring and dash die with the dream of all Geordies Martin Thorpe tions during the past eight months, they were not good enough in the end. It may have been the purchase of Asprilla that changed things or have been Newcastle's difficulty in handling the huge championship pressure. But it was a glorious failure, born of a Utopian aim. would love to see the Premiership won by a team as attractive as Newcastle, just as everybody would love to see the world full of happiness. But reality suggests that both are remarkably difficult to achieve.

However, Keegan vowed there would be more of the same next season. "We will be playing the same way," he said, "scoring goals and letting them in, taking the plaudits and the criticism." Which scotched reports that he was about to quit. "Absolute garbage," he said. "I'll be here." After the animosity of the past week between himself and Alex Ferguson the Newcastle manager showed himself a gracious loser. "Everyone talks about our collapse but they don't really do credit to Manchester United.

They turned round what looked like an impossible situation. They will be great reprosenta-tives for this country in Europe. We are still trying to build a team as good as them, and we are very close." He added that with the benefit of hindsight "I might have changed some but he pleaded with everyone not to blame Asprilla for the collapse. He had done well, said his manager, as had Batty, another late signing. There would be more arrivals in the summer', he promised, although the money was drying up.

Perhaps Newcastle's most usefid addition will be the experience gained this season. On January 20 they led the table by 12 points. When Asprilla made his debut in February the lead was down to nine points. By March 12 it was four, a week later one and then the teams were level before Manchester United, for the first time, deposed Newcastle at the top on March 24. Yesterday the slim hope that their rivals would lose 3B miles down the road at Middlesbrough looked even slimmer after 14 minutes when Manchester United took the lead.

Not oven a Newcastle win could salavage the title if Ferguson's side pulled off a victory. But Beardsley and company tried. Walker had to save brilliantly from Batty while Lee and Ferdinand, twice, went close. Gillespie missed a sitter and then it was over. Cole, of all people, put Manchester United 2-0 up at the Riverside and 25 seconds later, at St James' Park, Dozzell's clever turn and shot put Newcastle behind.

Still Newcastle went for the win, Giiiola hitting the bar and then shooting wide before Asprilla, a G7th-minute substitute, showed why Keegan had bought him with a marvellous piece of skill which brought the equaliser. Picking up the ball on the left edge of the box he twisted and turned to bedazzle Mabbutt and fire in a near-post cross which Ferdinand put away for his 29th goal of the season. Clark then hit the bar and Ferdinand forced a groat save from Walker. But a win did not come and, with Manchester United winning, it did not matter. Tottenham had played well but had failed too, missing out on the Uefa Cup place which went to their neighbours Arsenal.

Their disappointment, however, was nothing compared to that felt by Newcastle United. Newcastle United: Hislop. Watson. Elliott. Peacock.

Albert. Gillespie (Claik. 67min). Bally. lee.

Gmola. Bcardslcy (Asprilla. 67). Fordinand Tottenham HoUpur: Walker. Edinburgh.

Wilson. Mabbull. Campbell ICaldorwobd, 67). Howolls. Fox (Roiuntttal.

83). Andurlon. Dozoll. Slieringham. Armstrong Referee; 0 Gallagher (Banbury) AND so St James' Park finally became the Theatre of Nightmares.

The title dream went the way of the 12-point lead, lost in frustration and disbelief that could not be assuaged by Newcastle Unit-ed's best finish for 69 years. But, though there was no championship for Kevin Keegan. there were many things to celebrate passion and principles, daring and dash, the corinthian ideals that drove this mega-rich team all season. After they had swallowed their disappointment the home supporters gave the manager a standing ovation that offered understanding and forgiveness. During March and April the hands of the Geordie faithful had cradled disbelieving heads as lead disappeared like gold dust blown away on the wind.

Now the fans waved and clapped for Keegan and his team, eager to forget the past and look forward to another try next season. Of course they would rather have been celebrating the title, but the plot failed to contain the one glorious final twist that would have let the "goodies" boat the For all Newcastle's best inten Familiar picture Keegan, head in hands, and the supporters know the title has slipped away photograph: mike scott Premiership: Manchester City 2, Liverpool 2 Late draw fails to save City from the big drop Southampton 0, Wimbledon 0 Saints preserved with little grace came too late. In the 71st minute Ruddock up-ended Kink-ladze and Rosier scored from the penalty spot. Seven minutes later a smart Kit Symons equaliser offered a glimmer of hope false hope, as it transpired. Coventry and Southampton hold uut and City were down.

"Alan Ball's job will not be affected. By nature he is a winner." wrote the chairman Francis Lee in programme notes under the unfortunate headline. We'll Win the Fight. "This is the greatest disappointment of my career," Ball said. "We have paid dearly for our start to the campaign when we picked up only two points from 11 games, I believe that with hard work we can bounce back." Manchester City: Imniel: Summurboe.

Symons. Curio. Brown. Brightwoll. Kmkladze.

Clough IKavelashvtla. bfiminl. Lomas. Rosier. Oumn (Phillips.

59) Liverpool! James: McAtcet. Babb. Wright. Huddock. Jones, thomas Ftodknac-p (Kennedy, 45).

McManaman. Fowler. Rush Referee: Ludge Ibawisley) Ian Ross ALAN BALL'S much-vaunted three-year plan to rejuvenate Manchester City will now embrace at least one season in the the very moment that their neighbours' frorii'Old Trafford were clinching the Premiership title, poor City.were sju-. rendering their place aiiiong the elite for the third time in 13 years. City, in the top division since 1989.

are not the first great, cluh to leave it. but bad habits can be hard to break. To go down on inferior goal difference is cruel, yet City have performed with remarkably consistent ineptitude since August. Liverpool looked rclused. Their interest in the league ended last month with un improbable defeat by Coventry City, and an FA Cup final beckons.

Even so they sliced Glenn's goodbye Hoddle applauds the fans frank baron Pretty Chelsea poop Hoddle's farewell party Paul Weaver THERE are few emotions more exhilarating than the relief from fear and, when it was announced at half-time that Liverpool were beating Manchester City 2-0. euphoria swept The Dell and suddenly no one noticed the chill Hampshire air. A few minutes into the second half the chant began about their former manager Alan Ball: "You're short, you're fat and you're going to get the sack." The subsequent intelligence that Manchester City had levelled at Maine Road took some time to seep through the red-and-white striped crowd. At that point another goal for City, or one for Wimbledon, would have put Southampton down. There was a brief panic before the final whistle, then the other results came through and the chanting started once more: "Let's all laugh at Bally, let's all laugh at Bally." The team's lap of honour for escaping relegation on goal difference was overdoing it a little.

This was a poor match but that was hardly surprising. FA waits to act THE FA will wait for reports from the referee and police before deciding whether to take action over the crowd trouble at Booth-ferry Park on Saturday which led to 20 arrests and three policemen being hurt. Hull fans invaded the pitch in protest against the club chairman Martin Fish before the start of the match with Bradford City. There was further violence during and after the game, which Bradford won to clinch a play-off place, and police came under a hail of coins, bricks and missiles. Carlisle's chairman Coventry City 0, Leeds United 0 Ogrizovic safeguards Sky Blues' status Waiting game for Pleat Neil Robinson WEDNESDAY may be safe but what of David Pleat? If whispers from Hillsborough are to be believed, the manager will have to wait several weeks before he too can breathe easy.

Last season his predecessor. Trevor Francis, was sacked soon after overseeing a similar last-day escape. Thirteen years ago Pleat had danced across the pitch and jumped into the arms of his Luton players after they, too. avoided the drop; yesterday he offered a quick handshake to his opposite number Harry Rcdknapp and disappeared down the tunnel. "It is perfectly all right," lie said when asked about his position, "but unless certain things happen now we will continue to float around 15th position." For a while yesterday it looked as if Wednesday might sink much lower.

As they trailed to a Dicks header, news of Manchester City's equaliser shot round Upton Park like electricity, short-circuiting Wednesday's supporters. They were back on their feet, however, even before Newsome headed home Whit-tiiigham's injury-time cross because a thousand radios had conveyed the news that Coventry's draw meant Wednesday were safe. Whether a side that takes 15 points from their final 51 deserves to be is another mat-, ter. Wednesday bristled with defensive uncertainty and. Blinker apart, lacked pace up front.

The impetus was always with West Ham. West Harm Miklosko. Breacker. Dicks. Polls.

Hilic. Hiepoi. Rowland (Lampard 681. Hughes. Williamson.

Cottoe iFerdmand. OB). Dowic (Martin. 881 Sheffield Wednoideyr Pressman Hyde. Atlierlon, Walker.

Briscoe, wniiliitnhaui. Ncv.sotne. Pombrldgc. Blinker (Waddle. 79).

Hirst. tJeqiyso. Referee; Dflkes (Mossleyt when he pawed Thomson's header on to the bar, Allen's follow-up was ruled offside. Huddersfield's mediocrity was alleviated by the self-destructive qualities of Thorn-ley, whose loan from Manchester United had drawn to an end. Thornley is a talented winger but on this evidence lie is also a silly boy.

His dismissal at Sunderland is regarded by many as the moment that ended Huddersfield's promotion chances. Yesterday ho was booked in the 89th minute for railing at a linesman, sent off in the 90th for his umpteenth retaliatory tackle. If Alex Ferguson intended that the experience would help Thornley grow up, yesterday brought at least one disappointment. Huddersfield Town: Francis, Jenkins. Scully.

Gray. Cowan. Edwards. Makol Collins. 2Smin).

Bullock. Thornley. Jopson. Booth (Baldry. 7).

Portsmouth! Knight: Roos, Thomson, Butters, Awlord. Allon. Mcloughlln. Simpson. Carter, Burton.

Hall. Referee: Rushton through City's defence like a wire through cheese and might easily have won the game by half-time. City's defence held out for all of six minutes and the first wound it suffered was self-inflicted. McManaman's run left the-Gity defence-wide-open and, when the cross whistled across goal, Steve Lomas could only deflect the ball into his own net. Uwe Rosier occasionally threatened to keep City's fast-fading dream alive but it took Ian Rush, making his last Premiership appearance for Liverpool, to remind all present that there is no real substitute for class.

His drive from distance four minutes before half-time may have clipped Curie's boot on its way under the crossbar and into the right-hand corner but it was still an inspired piece of improvisation. Liverpool's lethargy was such that a City fight-back was always a possibility but it Yesterday need not have been so worrying. After seven minutes the home crowd shrieked as one on hearing of Liverpool's first goal at Maine Road and. when the second went in, there was a spontaneous chant of "lan Rush, Ian So at half-time, although Coventry were looking edgy, their survival chances seemed good. Then, as news of Manchester City's revival came through, the atmosphere changed and it was not until two minutes after the final whistle that Coventry knew they would still be iii the Premiership in August.

Had Whelan converted one of the many opportunities that came his way, the party might have begun earlier and been a bit more relaxed. As it beat Keller witli a header only to see the ball rebound off the post. In the frenetic closing stages both teams knew that nothing less than victory would do. Millwall showed great spirit but, although they led Ipswich by seven comers to three, they lacked a striker with an eye for goal. Ipswich's promising young goalkeeper Richard Wright hardly had a shot to save.

There was a poignant moment in the G7th minute when the veteran Ipswich defender John Wark was substituted. He left the field to a massive ovation as lie had announced his retirement as a player and tile arrival of Tony Vaughan marked the end of a glorious era. Ipewleh Town: Wright. Stockwoll. Tnrlcco.

Thomson. Wark (Vaughan. 67niin). Williams, Mason (Scowcrott. 29).

Sudflley. Malhio. Marshall, Milton Millwall! Keller; Newman. Thalcher. Bowry, Van Blork.

Stovons. Connor. Savage INoilt. 71). Malkm.

Doylu. Woir Witlur, 84). Refereet Lynch (Knarosborourjh) Wimbledon's manager Joe Kinnear revealed the touch-line pressure. "It was bedlam in the dug-outs," he said. "When Liverpool were winning I heard shouts of 'Stay back, stay back' and when Manchester City equalised it was "Push up, push Southampton finished fourth from bottom and.

their status, in the top division, unbroken since 1978, continues. Afterwards Matthew Le Tis-sier confirmed that he would be staying with the club. "The tension got to us a bit today," lie added. There was no sign of the Southampton manager Dave Merrington after the match and it was explained he had gone to see his wife Pauline, who was admitted to hospital on Saturday for tests. But Saints' director of football Lawrie McMenemy said: "I feel a bit sorry for Bally.

Finishing fourth from bottom represents success for us. It will be the same struggle next season unless we get a benefactor." Southampton! Bcasant. Neilson. Monkou, Hall. Gunali.

Dodd. Le Tissior. Magilton. Venison. Stiipporloy.

Hcancy Wimbledon: Sullivan; Perry. Cunningham, Kimble, Reeves. Leonhurdsen (Goodman, flumin). Blackwoll. Jones.

Earlo, Ekoku. Holdsworlh (Hattord. 88) Referee: Head (Birmingham). on Hull trouble Michael Knighton is considering suing tile Football League over its handling of Brighton's game against York which was abandoned when home fans rioted. York will stay up and Carlisle go down if York draw or beat Brighton when the match is replayed.

Even in defeat, York would be safe if they scored three goals. "The League should know their own rules because everyone's season in the Second Division should have finished on Saturday," said Knighton. "We have been advised that we should take the League to the High Court and issue a writ for negligence." Against a rampant Watford attack that had scored 20 goals in six games Leicester sensibly concentrated on keeping their defence in shape. The visitors rarely pushed men forward, with the result that in the first half the Watford goalkeeper Miller did not have a save to make. Somewhat predictably then, when Leicester took the lead it came by way of a Watford mistake.

Whitlow, escaping the dour midfield wrestling match, crossed from the left and the Watford striker White, for reasons best known, to himself, headed back across his own penalty area: Izzet ducked to score. Leicester attacked more often but misses by Claridge, Robins and Heskey underlined a lack of real class. Watford: Miller: Uddon. Palmar. Pane.

Bazolcy, Ramago, Hessenthatur IMillcn. 77min), Porter, Moonoy, White. Connolly (Moralee. ro) Lolceiter Cltyi Poolo. Grayson.

Watts, Walsh, Whitlow, Izzcl. Lonnon. Taylor. nuskuy, HODins'irarkar, oa), utarmno. Referee! Kirkby (Stiotliold).

was. Ogrizovic emerged as Coventry's most important figure the longer the game went on. He, though, was not near a shot on the turn by Ra-debe eight minutes from time and the relief when the ball hit the side-netting was immense. There were several other moments when Coventry hearts stopped, the first coming before any news from Manchester. Masinga nut-megged Shaw and found himself one on one with Ogrizovic but the keeper saved the day and in doing so saved Coventry's season.

Coventry City: Ognrovic. Pickering. Shaw. Oaish. Burrows.

Hall, loiter Jess. Salako. Dublin. Whelan Leeds Unltod: Lukic Kelly. Palmer Wethotall.

Radebc. Woithinglon. tinkler, McAllister. Wallace Cray (Couzens, 70min) Masinga Referee: EDeray (Harrow; Michael Walker LIGHT the cigars, crack open the champagne and bring on the dancing girls: big Ron is still in the big-time. But what an uncomfortable, sweaty afternoon he and the rest of Coventry had.

And what a sour ending as rival sets of supporters fought ugly battles across the pitch and were dispersed only by the belated arrival of mounted police. It was sad end to a day that ensured Coventry stay iii the top flight for the 30th consecutive season. That is some achievement for this club and with players like Jess. Wire-Ian and Dublin, they ought not to be in this situation next May. Watford 0, Leicester City 1 Leicester Mustafa chance First Division: Ipswich Town 0, Millwall 0 Lions fans vent their anger Huddersfield 0, Portsmouth 1 Burton provides the buoyancy Frank Keating on a bitter-sweet day at the Bridge of sighs GLENN HODDLE's Chelsea team, vaunted above their station all week, predictably pooped the manager's farewell party at Stamford Bridge as Blackburn beat them by 3-2.

Chelsea passed the ball prettily, hut in the areas that mattered they lacked bite and palely loitered. The result, however, scarcely affected the determined knees-up for 28,000. Before kick-off, on the pitch Hoddle was presented with a cut-glass howl on behalf of the club by his two secretaries, Jane and Judy. Ninety minutes later, in spite of defeat, the team's continuing conceit had them on an acclaimed lap of honour as overture to Hoddle's solo expedition to the centre-circle, in which he sheepishly saluted each corner. On the way off he even blew a kiss at the press hox.

Not a cheep of "Judas" was heard (as when he left Swindon three years ago) and when not chanting valedictions to the future England coach the throng chorused: "Hoo-lette! Cockney for the Dutchman, Gullit, as their favourite to take over as player-manager. That looks unlikely. Before the game he said of that combined role: "You are not one or the other, so it is not an effective job at all." Chelsea's board will have heard, however, the full-throated chants of "You can stick George Graham up your arse!" Hoddle said afterwards: "It was disappointing to lose, but the atmosphere was tremendous. I was emotional. I had to do a Job on myself today and I've kept better control than I thought I' would.

It was mure moving than my last game at Tottenham. The main thing is to get through next week here and tic up all the ends, then have a few words with the FA. Alter that', I must take a hack step it's only fair to Terry for me to be in the background, he does nut want a side Chelsea held a board meeting before the match to discuss his replacement. No imminent announcement is expected. The chairman, Ken Bates, predictably used the programme notes to bellyache about the FA'S "unseemly He wrote: "The FA were obviously getting desperate; there could be no other possible excuse for the way they have behaved towards Chelsea the whole thing suggests some kind of panic.

Why didn't they approach Chelsea last Monday, or indeed the previous week? It smacks of a yellow card and three disciplinary points for ungentlemanly conduct." The match ended with the Chelsea captain Wise being booked for retaliation. At that time Blackburn, delighted with only their fourth away win of the season, had understood Arsenal to be losing. For 10 minutes they thought they were In Europe next season: about as long as they were this, Blackburn raised their pace from a canter after Wise put Chelsea ahead, after 35 At once, Sherwood headed in the splendidly direct Wilcox's centre from the left and before the hour was up McKinlay, with a cleverly taken header and Fenton with a volley, had effectively settled it. Spencer's late reply proved academic. Chelsea: Khartne: Minto, Gullit, Johnson, Sponccr.

Hughes. Wise, Burley (Petroscu. G5mln), Myers, Spackman (Peacock, 68), Loo Btaohburni Flowers: Coleman. Kenna. Sherwood, Hendry, Ftiploy, Gallachcr iWarhurst, 25), Wilcox, Frrnton (Bohlnun.

74). McKinlay. Burg. Referee: Bodonham (East Looo). Tom Evans NEWS of Portsmouth's victory at Huddersfield.

which meant relegation for Millwall. sparked off trouble in the stands at Portman Road where seats were hurled down on to the pitch. A gallant draw was not enough for the Lions. Nor was it enough lor Ipswich, who missed a place in the play-off. Millwall's decline has been spectacular.

They topped the First Division table in September but finished the season third from bottom. Ipswich missed countless chances but they will look back on two incidents when they were close to grabbing victory. In the 40th minute Mill-wall's American goalkeeper Kasey Keller dived to hold a well-struck shot from Simon Milton. In the 75th Milton crossed for the 20-year-old substitute James Scowcroft to David Hopps A BEAUTIFUL spring afternoon at the McAlpine Stadium even stirred Portsmouth into life, and there have been few sighs of that since the new year, boon Burton's ninth-minute goal assured them or a commendable win and this, combined with Millwall's failure, saved their First Division status. Only a tew feeble fist-fights after Pompey fans invaded the pitch after the whistle soured the celebrations.

Burton had whirled his shirt above his head after thrashing in Carter's header from six yards: Huddersfield did nothing to suggest his response was premature. Only the goalkeoping of Francis prevented Portsmouth from establishing an overwhelming half-time lead. He blocked McLoughlin's shot, saved excellently from Hall at the foot of a post and, Mark Redding LEICESTER have lived on the edge more than most in the nervous Nineties and, true to form, they left it until the last game of the season to scrape into the play-offs. They were indebted yesterday to their on-loan Chelsea winger Mustafa Izzet for the vital goal on the hour that was enough to edge out Ipswich and leap-frog over Charlton. "I would have accepted any way to qualify that we had been offered at five minutes to three," said the Leicester manager Martin O'Neill.

The play-offs will hold no fears for Leicester, who entered the Premiership by way of the 1994 final when their captain Steve Walsh scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Derby. Predictably City came straight back down last year and they still look ill equipped for the top flight..