Newcastle soldier on for a point after Ashley gets a frosty welcome.

(From Guardian Unlimited)

A group of Geordie soliders, on a flying visit from Iraq and still wearing combat gear, were, coincidentally, seated within charging distance of Mike Ashley yesterday. When Djibril Ciss' gave Sunderland the lead it seemed that Newcastle United's owner might require the British Army's assistance to exit the ground safely but, thanks to Shola Ameobi's controversial equalising penalty, Ashley was threatened by nothing worse than resounding boos.

His first return to St James' Park since August and the preamble to Kevin Keegan's still lamented departure ended with the Toon Army trooping home with collars raised against the chill winds whipping in from the Steppes in a mood of grim resignation rather than outright rebellion. With no realistic prospect of ousting Ashley averting relegation is the priority and, although Joe Kinnear's stuttering side have now gone eight games without a win, their second Premier League point since Christmas at least brought a measure of relief.

It also restored a shred of parochial pride as losing to a not-entirely-convincing Sunderland would have been far too ego-denting to contemplate. Typically, Kinnear took credit for a managerial masterstroke in coaxing Ameobi on to the field despite the striker complaining of an ankle injury. "I forced Shola to play," he said. "He had a fitness test and said he was still feeling the injury so I told him 'forget it, you're playing'."

With Shay Given joining Manchester City yesterday -- when Charles N'Zogbia edged closer to joining Wigan in part exchange for Ryan Taylor and a fee -- Steve Harper re-emerged blinking into the limelight after so many years as Given's understudy and performed competently. City have agreed to pay GBP7m, rising to a possible GBP8m, for Given, who has been given a 41/2-year contract.

Kinnear has already spent much of that money on Kevin Nolan who, after an initially quiet spell, improved considerably, in central midfield. "Kevin did well," said Newcastle's manager. "I'm very well pleased with the point as we were under-strength."

Sunderland were marginally the better side but lost momentum after Ciss' limped off and Kieran Richardson faded during the second period. "It's a point gained," said ...