UFO Info Week-End

There was also discomfort apparent behind the scenes with the Yorkshire terrier

There was also discomfort apparent behind the scenes, with the Yorkshire terrier David Batty demanding to be let off his lead to return to Leeds and Shearer less than unequivocal in the so-called pledging of his future to the black and white cause.In the absence of the hamstrung Shearer, the disaffected Batty and the injured Rob Lee, Gullit’s starting line-up did not look too comfortable either Joe Kinnear apparently thought so too. He sent out his team in ambitious 3-3-4 formation, though they reverted to 4-4-2 when Newcastle pressed. Not that the pressing was particularly threatening, not initially at any rate. Gullit’s game plan was, clearly, to get the ball to his wingers and on to Ferguson’s head That was the theory, at least.

In practice, Newcastle’s new acquisition was as forlorn a figure as the crane towering above the Sir John Hall Stand.Ferguson dropped increasingly deeper as the first half progressed but it was a member of the opposition ranks who received the first significant scrap of possession from a Newcastle player. Four minutes past the half- hour mark Gary Speed scuffed an attempted pass out of defence directly at Marcus Gayle, who needed no invitation to stride into the box and blast a right-foot shot past Shay Given.The natives got restless Speed’s every touch was booed. But then, with 38 minutes on the clock, Gillespie scampered down the right and, though Dean Blackwell managed to prevent the ball from heading in Ferguson’s direction, Nolberto Solano volleyed it past Neil Sullivan from the left edge of the Wimbledon penalty area. It was the Peruvian’s first goal in England and it would have been followed by a second before half-time but for a stunning reflex save by Sullivan.Newcastle did not reach the break without suffering further damage themselves. Given was hurt in a goalmouth scramble with Gayle and was replaced after half-time by Steve Harper.

It was the young goalkeeper’s first match for Newcastle but not his first against Wimbledon, having produced a man-of- the-match performance on loan for Huddersfield Town in the Dons’ FA Cup victory at the McAlpine Stadium in March.There were no heroics from Harper yesterday They were not required. Having fluttered to deceive for the best part of an hour, the Magpies eventually found their wings – and their new front man. Gullit even found the perfect pay-off when asked whether Ferguson had given him a lift “No,” he said. “I came in my own car.”As for the match winner, he even made his own way to the press room “It’s great to get off to a winning start,” Ferguson said “Two goals Three points. I couldn’t ask for any more.” John Parrott’s brother-in- law, Ferguson was not so much sick as over the moon.. Charlton Athletic 1 Everton 2

Kinsella 72 Cadamarteri 45, 73
Half-time: 0-1 Attendance: 20,043SO there is life after the Giant Header.