OLD TRAFFORD RED ARMY: Report : Newcastle 0 United 0

United moved seven points clear at the Barclays Premier League summit but will feel aggrieved not to have put the other title-race contenders under maximum pressure after a dramatic end to this testing clash with Newcastle.

It's all about fine margins and when Javier Hernandez was felled by former Reds right-back Danny Simpson inside the box in injury time, virtually everybody in St James' Park felt a penalty had been given. Instead, referee Lee Probert cautioned Chicharito for diving, much to the visitors' frustration and bitter disappointment.
The best chances from open play earlier fell to strike partners Hernandez and Rooney - both denied by Newcastle's Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul - and to Ryan Giggs who swept Patrice Evra's cross agonisingly wide of an inviting target.
Further opportunities were scarce, however, and not even the introduction of substitute Michael Owen, to a chorus of boos from the home fans, could provide the golden touch needed to snatch victory.
Sir Alex made five changes from the FA Cup semi-final line-up including Chris Smalling deputising for Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs returning in midfield. Dimitar Berbatov travelled but was unwell and failed to make the bench as Wayne Rooney made his comeback from suspension to play in tandem with Javier Hernandez in attack.
The Reds started like a team on a mission with Patrice Evra releasing Rooney down the left and his centre seemed certain to provide a second-minute opener for Hernandez, only for Krul, deputising for Steve Harper, to pull off a superb save from point-blank range. However, the home side then enjoyed a spell of possession after that early scare with Edwin van der Sar dealing comfortably with efforts from Shola Ameobi and Cheik Tiote.
The league leaders found some rhythm again but Michael Carrick and Hernandez fired shots off target before Rooney skipped past Mike Williamson to go one-on-one with Krul. The in-form striker altered his body shape to try to finish with his favoured right foot but the ball struck Krul in the face and deflected over the top, even if no corner was awarded.
Nani became more involved but shanked a poor clearance by Tiote and then enranged the home players by going to ground under a Jonas Gutierrez challenge inside the area. No penalty nor yellow card was given by referee Lee Probert but it seemed to spark the Magpies into life again with Gutierrez lashing wide and Peter Lovenkrands wasting a free header when an accurate cross by the dangerous Joey Barton was misjudged by Smalling.
Lovenkrands blazed a speculative attempt high over van der Sar's bar and the hosts continued to cause problems with Carrick harshly booked when Ameobi went sprawling after a tangle of legs.
United were not on top form in the first half but ended the period with another dangerous break as Rooney fed Giggs but Hernandez's shot from the Welshman's pass was blocked and there was no time to take the corner.
The Reds started the second half with a greater tempo. Nani supplied a headed chance for Giggs before firing over and TV replays suggested Danny Guthrie was fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty when he handled inside the area. However, there was also an appeal at the other end when Peter Lovenkrands fell in the box between Anderson and Smalling.
After Lovenkrands almost profited with a header when a John O'Shea clearance fell to him, most of the chances were created by the visitors - the clearest of which was created by Hernandez and Evra for Giggs but the veteran sent a measured finish with his trusty left foot inches wide of Krul's right-hand post.
Antonio Valencia replaced Anderson but it was another substitute, Stephen Ireland, who almost made an instant impact when volleying wide after Ameobi challenged Nemanja Vidic in the air. It was a rare threat to van der Sar's goal but Sir Alex's side just couldn't break through. Nani cut in following a short corner to lash across goal and Rooney's shot was too high after a skilful dribble. With Owen thrown on for Nani, any late openings needed to be taken but Giggs scuffed well off target when O'Shea picked him out after a patient build-up.
The late drama will be the talking point for many as Simpson caught Hernandez but it was a huge call from referee Probert. Newcastle will argue about their own appeal involving Lovenkrands but that would have been incredibly harsh.
One last chance was created by Valencia's cross but Rooney was unable to divert a difficult header on Krul's goal despite climbing high.
At least the Reds have extended the lead at the top after a tiring weekend at Wembley but, after failing to score for consecutive games, Sir Alex's side will be looking to put that right against Everton on Saturday.