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The Toon celebrated Sir Bobby's 70th birthday in grand style with a comfortable 3-1 win over Leverkusen last week. The goal scorers were the deputy strike team - Ameobi and Lua Lua who had the Toon 3- 1 up in the first half hour. The result was never in doubt although Newcastle had to stiffen their defence in the second half. For next week's return match at SJP, Shearer will be back from suspension, although Bellamy won't be. According to nufc.com, the Toon could qualify for the next round with only six points, although even with twelve points they could still finish third.

A good sprinkling of the Black and White, including Michael Caine, watched the match at a jam-packed Summers Restaurant in Arlington, VA. The Toon started off well with a Shearer slider that was just palmed away from the post by Seaman. Later there was a Shearer overhead kick which went straight into the goalkeeper's hands. Thereafter Arsenal composed themselves and dominated the first half. This led to a typical Henry breakaway which beat Given and put the ball in the corner of the net. But the Lads came out fighting in the second half, helped by the addition of Gary Speed who bolstered what was already a good defence. It was Newcastle's half and inevitably after 10 minutes a Robert grounder eluded Seaman's outstretched hands. Then disaster struck in the form of two "letter of the law" bookings for Robert (aided by some Bergkamp gamesmanship) and the Toon were down to 10 men. They still battled on, despite some bizarre but sloppy defence in the Newcastle goal mouth. Even a superb lob by Bellamy in the closing minutes, which in contrast to the Brazil game, Seaman punched away, could not bring the winner. Nufc.com said that [Because of Robert's sending off] "we wuz robbed of 30 minutes of playing time." Even Sir Bobby admitted afterwards that the Premiership was now a two horse race.

England came in for some pommie bashing after their 3-1 loss to Australia in the friendly at Upton Park the other week. But at least Jenas got the man of the match award for his late goal.

Duncan Ferguson will not be prosecuted for assaulting a burglar in his home in Formby, Merseyside. Police decided that he had acted "reasonably" to protect his wife and daughter. The burglar appeared in court on a stretcher (just kidding!).

Brian Clough recently had a liver transplant at a private clinic in Newcastle. The 67-year-old has had long time problems with alcohol. Doctors had told him that without the surgery he would have had only a couple of months to live.

Gazza, who has been linked recently with DC United, Exeter City, Queen of the South, Morpeth Town, and Auckland (NZ), has been trying out for Liaoning Bodeo in southern China. However the team's coach has served him notice that he must shape up or ship out. He said that he was unimpressive in practice and during an exhibition match. Gazza said that he has enjoyed sampling all the Chinese food. (? Better than in Dunston).