It was the 4000th League game and Macey raked the money in by charging £4 for the commemorative programme whilst the Academy ball boys waved some flags around in the centre circle. At least there was a bit of atmosphere this week with the partying geordies, a sell out crowd and a few beers inside everyone for Christmas.

The game kicked off and nothing really happened. Howey only lasted 15 minutes and Matt Elliott came on to some worried looks. Thankfully he looked more with it today though as the game went on.

Shearer decided to start grumbling pretty quickly, allowing the City faithful to launch into their usual rendition of "Alan Shearer, what a w@nker". Referee Chris Foy told him to shut up, and our defence stopped him from being much bother at all.

Newcastle had a few breaks in the first half, which was pretty dull, but couldn't hit a barn door thankfully. Walker only had to make one real save, tipping a Robert dipping shot over the bar.

Half time saw Birchy wheeling out old legends and them remembering the last 4,000 games.

Newcastle came out and put a bit of pressure on us...Walker saving from Solano with his legs and Bernard and LuaLua both shooting wide.

The game got a bit more pacey and flowing and City started to get more into it. Muzzy had a duving header saved by Given after a nice Jordan Stewart cross.

It didn't really look like we'd score, but Dickov decided to prove us wrong (which was good as we had a whole quid on him to score first at 7/1). Walker cleared and as the Newcastle defence got confused Dickov pouced and buzzed round them and prodded the ball home in front of the Kop.

The City fans decided to start the wave despite being only 1-0 up seeing as they were in a festive mood.

Highlight of the game came after 75 minutes. Bernard and Dickov had a tussle. Bernard was complaining to the ref and not watching the game as Robert tried to clear....smacking the ball straight into Bernard's head. Nothing happened for a second...then he tottered backwards, staggered a bit more and slowly started to sit down in bizarre slow motion before totally keeling backwards out sparko as 32000 people and all the players stopped and stared.

We know you shouldn't laugh, but it really was funny to see. At least the City fans gave him a round of applause when he got up eventually (after they'd stopped laughing).

City nearly went 2-0 up as a Sir Les header went millimeters wide to groans and sychronised head holding by the city fans.

By this stage the clock saying how long we'd played had packed up totally and no-one knew how long there was left.As the 4th official eventually went to get his board, City found themselves under attack and it all went belly up in the dying minutes yet again. Bernard crossed to Jenas and Walker blocked the shot. In the goalmouth chaos, substitute Ambrose bent down and headed the ball in.

Felt yet again like we'd lost 2 points. The Newcastle fans took the micky and all started doing a mad silly wave. We tromped out hearing that Pompey had won and gone above us, sending us into the bottom 3. Bugger.