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Independent:
Newcastle test depleted championsNewcastle United 1 - Chelsea 1By Simon Williams16 May 2005
Like a master painter applying the final touch to a piece of art, Chelsea hoped to sign their name on the Premiership season with a flourish here. For once, things did not go to plan.
Nevertheless, as far as their manager, Jose Mourinho, is concerned, this has been an excellent first draft of his Stamford Bridge project. For now, it remains a work in progress, with new arrivals expected in the summer as the final pieces are put together for a squad hoping to dominate Europe as well as England "You can always improve," said Mourinho, who has already suggested he will sign three new players when the transfer window reopens. "We can improve on certain aspects of our game, but it is almost impossible to improve on 95 points and 29 wins."
With the blue ribbons already tied on the Premiership Trophy and the Carling Cup, Chelsea had nothing to play for at St James' Park and rested several big names.
Newcastle did have something to play for, the point needed to ensure this would not go down as their worst Premiership campaign. They got it, their tally of 44 equalling the worst, under Kenny Dalglish, in 1998. But wins for Fulham and Birmingham condemned them to their lowest finish, 14th.
Yet, Newcastle actually held their own for much of this contest and, although they were grateful to an excellent reaction save from Shay Given to keep out Jiri Jarosik late on, probably shaded things overall.
They went ahead when Titus Bramble poked Alan Shearer's near-post header goalwards and Chelsea full-back Geremi helped it in. A minute later, though, Chelsea were level. Eidur Gudjohnsen anticipated Jarosik's flick-on, Celestine Babayaro went to sleep and then, realising his mistake, put enough of his arms around the striker to give him the excuse to tumble over. Frank Lampard converted the penalty.
Newcastle huffed and puffed after the break, but rarely looked like blowing Chelsea's house down. Patrick Kluivert - in his last game for the club - went closest to a winner, but his header was well saved by Carlo Cudicini.
Honours even on the day, but a world apart over the course of the season.
Goals: Geremi og (33) 1-0; Lampard (34) 1-1.
Newcastle (4-4-2): Given; Carr (Taylor, 46), Boumsong, Bramble, Babayaro; Milner, Jenas, Ambrose, N'Zogbia; Kluivert (Chopra, 75), Shearer. Substitutes not used: Harper (gk), O'Brien, Robert.
Chelsea (4-5-1): Cudiciini; Johnson, Carvalho, Huth, Geremi; Jarosik (Watt, 90), Tiago, Makelele, Lampard, Cole (Morais, 89); Gudjohnsen (Oliveira, 84). Substitutes not used: Cech (gk), Grant.
Booked: Newcastle Babayaro, N'Zogbia; Chelsea Tiago, Carvalho, Geremi.
Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).
Man of the match: Bramble.
Attendance: 52,326.
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Telegraph;
Mourinho overcome with modesty By Rob Stewart (Filed: 16/05/2005)
Match details
In pictures: Final day of the Premiership
Newcastle (1) 1 Chelsea (1) 1
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is not normally associated with modesty but even he was forced to concede that he will struggle to surpass this season's record-breaking endeavours next term.
At St James' Park, after Chelsea moved on to an unprecedented Premiership haul of 95 points and re-wrote the record for least goals conceded (15), Mourinho admitted that "it will almost impossible to beat the points record next season".
He added: "The record does make you realise this season has been magnificent. It has been fantastic and that is why I want to stay in this country. It is the best football country in the world.
"Our objective will to be champions again and improve in certain aspects, but we know next season will be harder because people know the side and what we can do."
Earlier, Mourinho had watched as the game suddenly burst into life after an insipid first half-hour and then developed into a feisty, sometimes bad-tempered affair.
Newcastle were gifted the lead when Geremi inadvertently diverted the ball in after Alan Shearer had risen to head on Charles N'Zogbia's 32nd-minute corner.
The home side's advantage proved to be a short-lived one.
Celestine Babayaro misjudged Frank Lampard's through-ball and resorted to fouling Eidur Gudjohnsen inside the penalty box. Lampard stepped up to beat Shay Given from 12 yards, driving the ball straight into the middle of the goal in the 34th minute, despite losing his footing as he struck the ball for his 19th goal of a memorable campaign.
After the break, both sides had chances but both goal-keepers showed inspired form. Jermaine Jenas miscued from close range, Carlo Cudicini did well to palm away Patrick Kluivert's header and then Given excelled with saves that thwarted Eidur Gudjohnsen and, most impressively, Jiri Jarosik.
Newcastle manager Graeme Souness, whose club have been linked with an £18 million bid for Real Madrid's Michael Owen, said: "I can't comment on speculation."
But Souness is aiming to overhaul his squad after the club's worst-ever Premiership finish (14th).
Match details
Newcastle (4-3-3): Given; Carr (Taylor h-t), Boumsong, Bramble, Babayaro; Ambrose, Jenas, N'Zogbia; Milner, Shearer, Kluivert (Chopra 76). Subs: Harper (g), O'Brien, Robert. Goal: Geremi (og 32). Booked: Babayaro, N'Zogbia, Kluivert, Jenas. Chelsea (4-5-1): Cudicini; Geremi, Huth; Carvalho, Johnson; Cole (Morais 89), Makelele, Lampard; Tiago, Jarosik (Watt 90); Gudjohnsen (Oliveira 84). Subs: Cech (g), Grant. Goal: Lampard (pen 34). Booked: Cole, Tiago, Carvalho, Geremi. Referee: H Webb (Rotherham).
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Times:Hunt for big name beginsBy George CaulkinNewcastle United 1 Chelsea 1 MICHAEL OWEN HAS POLITELY informed Newcastle United that he has no intention of becoming a Geordie galáctico this summer. The England forward has been courted assiduously over recent months by Graeme Souness, whose club are under increasing pressure to attract a stellar name to St James’ Park. Season-ticket renewal forms are scheduled to land on supporters’ doormats within the next few days. Yesterday’s 1-1 draw with record-breaking Chelsea was symptomatic of a wearing season, which, worryingly for Newcastle directors, has concluded with as much apathy as dissent. Change must follow if the club are to propel themselves back up the Barclays Premiership table and while the squad will be remodelled, Owen will not be forming a dream partnership with Alan Shearer, his former international team-mate.
Owen’s first season at Real Madrid has been a mixture of the successful and the frustrating. Since leaving Liverpool for £6 million nine months ago, he has scored a healthy 12 league goals for the Spanish club, but his starting appearances have been limited. Yet Owen is not agitating for a return to England and officials at the Bernabéu are keen for him to stay.
An attractive bid from one of the leading three clubs in the Premiership — or even Liverpool — would not be greeted negatively by the 25-year-old, but despite being flattered by Newcastle’s interest (the club reacted with distinct coolness to weekend reports that a £20 million offer had been tabled for Owen) a lack of Champions League football does not appeal.
Freddy Shepherd, the Newcastle chairman, must look elsewhere for reinforcements in attack. Craig Bellamy, who is on loan with Celtic, will be sold, while an option to extend Patrick Kluivert’s contract will be fed through the office paper shredder. Crystal Palace’s relegation may prompt a bid for Andrew Johnson.
Kluivert is a useful personification of Newcastle’s ills. A weekly wage of £67,000 is apparently not enough to drag enthusiasm or effort from a player who has won 79 caps for Holland and whose final appearance here concluded with him being replaced by Michael Chopra, newly returned from a spell at Barnsley. If Kluivert has any professional pride, it should have been dented.
There will be other departures. After the team had traipsed to the centre circle to acknowledge supporters, Laurent Robert — an unused substitute — jogged to the Gallowgate End and, stripped to his underwear, threw his clothes into the crowd. Even that was more edifying than the sight of Celestine Babayaro, cajoled by José Mourinho, celebrating with Chelsea when his former team-mates were awarded a guard of honour before kick-off. “What I’ve learnt at the club is how people react when the pressure’s on, who’s with me, who is maybe with me and who isn’t it,” Souness said.
For Newcastle and the champions there was symmetry in the setting of new standards. Newcastle finished fourteenth in the table, their lowest position in the Premiership, with a joint-worst total of 44 points. Chelsea, shorn of eight senior players yesterday, made a more heroic stab at history, with the fewest goals conceded (15), the most clean sheets (25), most victories (29) and most points (95).
The match itself lacked impetus, notwithstanding the eight yellow cards shown by the officious Howard Webb. In the 33rd minute, Newcastle grasped the lead when a corner from Charles N’Zogbia scraped Shearer’s forehead and Gérémi, harried by Titus Bramble, knocked the ball across the line. The advantage lasted two minutes; Babayaro hauled down Eidur Gudjohnsen and Frank Lampard stroked his nineteenth goal of the season , from the penalty spot.
There was a wonderful save by Shay Given from Jiri Jarosik and a solid performance from Carlo Cudicini, whom Mourinho revealed will be offered a contract extension. “The most important thing is to show Carlo love, respect and trust,” he said, qualities that are rare at Newcastle. It promises to be a busy close season.
Newcastle United's season(C minus)It is hard to imagine a more shambolic season. Newcastle United dismissed Sir Bobby Robson as manager just a few weeks into the campaign, endured endless internal squabbling and ended up with about 25 points fewer than their talented players should have managed. They reached two semi-finals through luck on the pitch in the FA Cup and luck in the draw in the Uefa Cup, and no one is pretending that they have had a good year.
Chelsea's season(A plus)Roman’s roubles plus Mourinho’s mind equalled Chelsea’s championship. Abramovich’s arrival in 2003 immediately prompted the team’s highest league placing for 49 years as they finished second before the Portuguese took them up the final step. Usually one of England’s most inconsistent sides, they have swapped randomness for remorselessness, their efficiency creating 11 1-0 wins in the Premiership, although those were supplemented by seven victories in which they scored four. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun:
JOSE MOURINHO admitted his rivals would up the stakes in the summer after champions Chelsea had finished their record-breaking season with a dull draw at Newcastle.
Geremi’s own goal gave Graeme Souness’ men a 33rd-minute lead.
But Frank Lampard levelled from the penalty spot within a minute after former team-mate Celestine Babayaro was adjudged to have fouled Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Chelsea finished the season with a new lowest goals against figure, just 15 in 38 league games.
OWN UP ... Chelsea defender Geremi puts the ball into his own net
They also set new marks for most wins (29), most clean sheets (25) and most points.
But Mourinho confessed he did not think it would be as easy for Chelsea to retain their crown next season.
He said: “I think it will be hard because they know the team we have, they know what we can do and they know they need to be better if they want to fight with us for the championship, so it is absolutely natural.
“Manchester United, Arsenal, I can guess Liverpool, Newcastle, teams with power, I think it is normal they want to improve and fight with us for the championship. It is normal.”
Mourinho was happy enough with a result which gave his side a points total which he forecast will be difficult to top.
He added: “One day it will be beaten, but it is not easy.
“It is an unbelievable record. Ninety five points is a lot of points.
“Away from home, it is absolutely incredible what we did. We lost one game, we got two or three draws and consecutive victories; at home, we did not lose one single game.
“We lost a few points - I think four draws - but we did not lose a game, so the season was fantastic.
“We do not fight for these records, we fight to be champions. But when you go into the end of the season and you find you beat so many records in this incredible league, it is something that makes you think that the season was magnificent.”
Opposite number Graeme Souness will spend the coming weeks attempting to rebuild his squad, although he declined to confirm whether the likes of Patrick Kluivert and Laurent Robert will be sold.
He said: “What I have learnt in my time at this club is how people react when the pressure is on, who is really with me, who might be with me and who is not with me.
“It has been a very interesting learning period, one which I hope I never have to repeat.
“There is some stuff I have not particularly enjoyed having to deal with, but I think that is Newcastle United.
CHAMPIONS ... Newcastle players give Chelsea a guardof honour as they walk out at St James' Park
“We are far clearer in what our aims are and what I expect from them than we were eight months ago.
“It is fair to say we are looking to improve things greatly next year.”
The Magpies might have taken all three points had Carlo Cudicini not clawed away Kluivert’s 70th-minute header.
But Shay Given had to produce an even better save seven minutes from time to keep out Jiri Jarosik’s deflected drive.
Newcastle equalled an unwanted record of their own - their haul of 44 Premiership points was the same as they collected under Kenny Dalglish in 1997-98.
Chelsea were given a guard of honour onto the pitch, just as they had been at Old Trafford in midweek.
But the fare was dull and neither side created anything until Newcastle took the lead out of nothing on 33 minutes.
Alan Shearer got up well to flick on Charles N’Zogbia’s inswinging corner, and as Titus Bramble prepared to pounce at the far post, Geremi could only help the ball into his own net.
Just seconds later Babayaro was harshly adjudged to have dragged back Gudjohnsen, who needed no persuasion to go to ground.
Lampard slipped as he ran up to the ball, but he made good enough contact to send it over Given and into the net.
Both sides were trying to play enterprising football, but Given had little to do before the break and opposite number Cudicini was troubled only by a James Milner corner which almost crept under his crossbar.
Chelsea launched the first attack of the second half with Lampard firing straight at Given after being set up by Tiago.
But the home side should have regained the lead with 48 minutes gone when Darren Ambrose found space in the box and pulled the ball back for Jermaine Jenas who missed his kick in front of goal.
Milner was causing all kinds of problems as he switched from wing to wing and Babayaro lashed a 20-yard volley just wide on 65 minutes.
Given had to pull off a good one-handed save to keep out Gudjohnsen’s 73rd-minute left-foot drive as the visitors rallied.
Geremi rescued Cudicini with eight minutes left when he cleared off the line after the keeper had punched an N’Zogbia corner straight at Glen Johnson.
It took a superb save from Given to keep out Jarosik’s deflected drive seconds later.
DREAM TEAM STAR MAN: FRANK LAMPARD (Chelsea). Does not know the meaning of an end-of-season game.
Dream Team ratings Newcastle: Given 6, Carr 6 (Taylor 6), Boumsong 6, Bramble 5, Babayaro 5, Jenas 5, Ambrose 5, N’Zogbia 6, Milner 7, Shearer 5, Kluivert 4 (Chopra 6). Subs not used: Andrew O’Brien, Harper, Robert. Booked: Babayaro, N’Zogbia, Kluivert, Jenas. Chelsea: Cudicini 6, Geremi 5, Ricardo Carvalho 8, Huth 7, Johnson 6, Makelele 6, Jarosik 5 (Watt 6), Tiago 7, Lampard 8, Cole 5 (Nuno Morais 6), Gudjohnsen 5 (Oliveira 6). Subs not used: Cech, Grant. Booked: Cole, Ricardo Carvalho, Tiago, Geremi.
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Guardian:
Mourinho's record-breakers take Geordie salute
Michael Walker at St James' ParkMonday May 16, 2005
Jose Mourinho generally takes the biscuit. Yesterday he took two. Walking away from the press room, Mourinho smiled as he snaffled a couple for the journey back to London. His Chelsea team, missing eight of their significant contributors this season, had just extended their Premiership points record by one and but for a brilliant reaction save by Shay Given from Jiri Jarosik near the end, it would have been three.So Chelsea actually dropped two points. Must do better next term. Thus their record on the road was an oh-so disappointing 15 wins, three draws and Lampard: 19th goal of season one defeat. So much room for improvement.Similarly their total of 95 points - meaning they finished 12 points ahead of Arsenal - will take some matching. So will the record 25 clean sheets. "It is an unbelievable record," said Mourinho with all the modesty he could muster, "95 points is a lot of points. "The clean sheets gave us a big push to be champions. At the beginning of the season, when we were not so fluent, clean sheets gave us a lot of points. People said Chelsea were boring, but Chelsea were building."
The construction turned out to be formidable, immovable, only 15 goals conceded in 38 games. By the end they had more records than John Peel. "I think next season will be harder," Mourinho said. "They know what we can do and they know they have to be better - Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, teams with power."
Having been applauded on and applauded off by a most generous Tyneside public - not least to their own players - Mourinho was returning the gesture by including Newcastle in that list of potential challengers. One note for Mourinho, Ladbrokes have Newcastle at 100-1 to win next season's title.
Those odds looked tight on a day when Newcastle achieved their lowest-ever Premiership finish, 14th. Geremi's own goal at least spared Newcastle their lowest points total - they equalled it - but the magnanimous reception afforded the squad at the end might have been different had Chelsea pushed more vigorously for the win.
Newcastle, moreover, had sucked out some of the poison beforehand in announcing that there would be no lap of "honour", but there were moments when Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Eidur Gudjohnsen combined that should have made the home fans shiver.
Unsurprisingly those fans had awoken to reports of Newcastle bidding for Michael Owen - his will be the first of many names to be attached to the Geordies. A bid has been officially denied but the club's interest is long-standing. However, Owen has discreetly informed Newcastle that he will not be leaving Real Madrid for them.
Alan Shearer declared yesterday that he knows "it will be physically impossible for me to play every game in 2005-06", so the manager Graeme Souness will have to start rebuilding from the front. It now appears he will be in position to do that, even though the insecurity of being Newcastle manager has not yet persuaded him to move lock, stock and barrel to the north-east.
And he has already begun rowing back on earlier statements about supporters being "excited" if they knew the signings he was poised to make. Now he says it will be "difficult" and it will be more so if he cannot offload Craig Bellamy and Laurent Robert.
Robert waved goodbye yesterday following another afternoon on the bench, though he will only depart if someone chooses to buy him. Patrick Kluivert is expected to leave, as is Lee Bowyer. There are also question marks over Kieron Dyer, Nicky Butt and most worryingly for Newcastle, Jermaine Jenas and Given.
Given was beaten here by Lampard's penalty. In a game of seven yellow cards, Carlo Cudicini made a 70th-minute save from Kluivert of similar importance to the Irishman's later. Those incidents aside it was all a bit of a stroll in the sunshine and at the end Mourinho took the biscuits. Well, he has walked away with everything else.
Man of the match: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)