Last-gasp reds extend lead at the top

SIR Alex Ferguson faces an anxious wait to see whether referee Mike Dean reports his half–time rant at Old Trafford yesterday.

The Manchester United manager was furious Dean overruled assistant Jake Collin and awarded Newcastle’s second goal in the 4–3 spectacular, which ended with the Red Devils going seven points clear at the top of the Premier League.

He confronted Dean as he made his way out for the second–half, then rounded on the fourth official Neil Swarbrick and finally Collin.

“The referee changed the linesman’s mind,” said Ferguson after Collin had flagged for offside against Cisse. “He said it was an own goal. But if you see it again, and the referee can’t, the guy is in an offside position, then he pulls Evans’ arm. If that is not interfering what is?”

That aside , this was an exciting game: three times Newcastle led, through James Perch, Evans and Cisse, only for Evans, Patrice Evra and Robin van Persie, with his 16th goal of the season, to respond.

But when Sammy Ameobi struck the inside of a post with a shot Pardew thought was going in, he feared the worst.

“When it went back to the goalkeeper I thought ‘mmm, it might not be our day’,” said Pardew.

“That performance tells you about the courage of our team,” said Ferguson.

“We had a lot of bad decisions against us in the first–half.

“That could have demoralised the team. But they didn’t give in. That is the great quality they have.”



Ferguson is hoping to have Ashley Young and Phil Jones available for United's upcoming schedule – but Wayne Rooney will definitely be absent.

Rooney missed United's win over Newcastle after suffering a training ground injury on Christmas Day.The striker will sit out the remainder of the festive programme.

"He did a ligament at the back of his knee and could be out for two to three weeks," said Ferguson.

Rooney will miss Premier League matches against West Brom and Wigan, in addition to the FA Cup third round tie at West Ham on January 5. He also faces a race against time to face Liverpool at Old Trafford on January 13.