(CNN) -- Manchester United failed to extend their lead at the top of the English Premier League on Tuesday after a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United at St James' Park.
The 18-time English champions had the chance to go nine points clear, albeit having played one more game, over second-place Arsenal who had stumbled with a home draw against Liverpool at the weekend.
But Alex Ferguson's men struggled to create enough goal-scoring chances to secure victory and had a late penalty shout turned down when Mexico's Javier Hernandez tangled with Newcastle defender Danny Simpson.
Referee Lee Probert ignored the pleas of the Manchester United players, instead booking Hernandez for diving.
Television replays showed that Simpson had made contact with the Mexican striker but Hernandez had delayed his fall, confirming the referee's original decision.
The injury-time incident ushered in a frantic final passage of play as United searched for a winner, but Newcastle held on and were relieved to watch Wayne Rooney's late header -- from a Luis Valencia cross -- drop harmlessly wide.
Earlier, Newcastle had their own claims for a penalty turned down when Danish striker Peter Lovenkrands looked to have been brought down by Anderson in the 58th minute.
The point takes Newcastle up to ninth place in the table with 40 points and seemingly safe from the threat of relegation.
Ferguson's team now have five games left to play. They host Everton next Saturday before consecutive league fixtures against title-contenders Arsenal and Chelsea.
The visitors dominated possession in the first half and could have taken the lead as early as the second minute when a Wayne Rooney cross was met by Hernandez three yards out from goal. But Dutch goalkeeper Tim Krul did well to smother the 22-year-old's shot with his outstretched arms.
Newcastle had their moments too, creating a string of chances in the first quarter of the match, but they couldn't capitalize on a nervous-looking United defense.
The pressure continued though, giving the home crowd hope -- especially when Ivory Coast midfielder Cheik Tiote's low drive from 25 yards tested an otherwise untroubled Edwin Van der Sar.
Towards the end of the half, Joey Barton swung in a cross from right which found Lovenkrands unmarked on the penalty spot, but he could only head wide.
The second half continued where the first left off with the visitors always looked more threatening going forward, but they continued to squander their chances in front of goal, with Ryan Giggs most guilty.
The Welshman should have given United the lead in the 67th minute after Hernandez had played in Patrice Evra. The Frenchman's cross picked out an unmarked Giggs standing near the penalty spot, but the 37-year-old fired his shot wide of the target.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|