POYET PUNISHES THE TOON

The free-scoring midfielder, who has now bagged three goals against Newcastle this season, was left out of Wednesday`s Champions League victory over Barcelona for tactical reasons, but responded in perfect fashion.

A classic encounter, that would have graced the final, ebbed and flowed from end-to-end with both sides prepared to attack at every opportunity.

Gianluca Vialli`s men had the first real chance on seven minutes when, following a scramble, Chris Sutton found George Weah in acres of space and the Liberian stroked the ball home only for the celebrations to be short-lived due to a linesman flagging for offside.

Despite some inventive football from the Magpies, it was the London club who drew first blood courtesy of a superb three-man move. A simple one-two between Sutton and Weah freed Poyet and he imperiously lobbed Shay Given from 12-yards.

Despite this early setback, Bobby Robson`s men continued to cause The Blues` back-line a number of problems, but they were dealt a major blow when Duncan Ferguson had to leave the stage mid-way through the first half with a knee injury.

Chelsea themselves suffered their own injury woe, as Chris Sutton was replaced at half-time with Barcelona`s tormentor Tore Andre Flo.

Newcastle were inspired at the start of the second period, with firstly Shearer and secondly Dyer forcing fine saves from Ed De Goey.

Roared on by their vociferous following, the Geordies pressed forward in wave after wave and they grabbed a deserved equaliser with 33 minutes remaining.

Alan Shearer brushed aside Frank Leboeuf on the right wing before whipping in a superb cross that Rob Lee made his own before nodding past De Goey.

The Magpies` joy was short lived however as Poyet grabbed his second of the game moments later. Vialli`s hot young prospect Jon Harley sent over a pin-point cross that the Uruguayan met perfectly to head into the net.

Newcastle refused to lie down and, led by their inspired captain Shearer who gave a performance that brought back memories of times gone by, continued to dominate play but could not find a way through their opponent`s defence on a second occasion.

A third Wembley final in a row was not to be for Newcastle, but they can have no complaints regarding their performance which was as good as they have produced under Robson.

Vialli gave a very honest assessment of the game, when he said: "Reaching the final is something to be proud of, as we did not play particularly well, but we showed great spirit because the were the better team for long periods."

Robson also felt his side were unlucky, saying: "We played well and did not deserve the result. We dominated for long periods and had the majority of the chances."

He was also full  of praise for his defeated team saying: "I cannot criticise my players in any way because they have given their all."