Manchester United come to St James's Park this Sunday and if Newcastle United play anything like this, the champions will depart as they arrived - as comfortable leaders of the Premiership. It is unthinkable that Alex Ferguson's side could create as many chances as Jim Smith's Derby County did last night and not take any of them.
Francesco Baiano may have 11 goals to his name this season, but he should have added at least a couple to that tally here and his profligacy meant the limelight fell upon his fellow Italian Stefano Eranio, sent off 10 minutes from the end for a needless confrontation with Philippe Albert. One major consolation for Derby is that they played well, something Newcastle could not claim and the point earned takes County level with Liverpool. Newcastle remain an underachieving ninth.
With only two wins in their previous nine games, Kenny Dalglish chose what was for him the adventurous option of replacing Darren Peacock with Jon Dahl Tomasson, while in midfield another attacking player, Temur Ketsbaia, came in for the injured captain Robert Lee.
Derby were similarly re-jigged, missing three central defenders they had to be, and 19-year-old Steve Elliott made his League debut. Paulo Wanchope, however, was dropped, but Derby began as if his absence was of no consequence, Dean Sturridge dragging a sixth-minute shot narrowly wide after neat work from Deon Burton and Baiano.
That set a pattern that created a further two excellent openings for the visitors, all within the first 15 minutes. Baiano would have given Derby the lead in fact, had his drive not struck Sturridge, loitering four yards out.
The rebound eventually fell to Darryl Powell, but his strike flew over. Not long after, Darryl Powell had another inviting chance - again the result of clean, clever passing from Sturridge and Baiano. This time Shaka Hislop saved it.
With Eranio also influential as he ran unchallenged down Newcastle's unguarded left, the home crowd were anxious. Not until Faustino Asprilla managed a flicked header after 22 minutes did they find their voice. Presumably stern words were heard in the Newcastle dressing room at half-time and as soon as the second half kicked off Thomasson began to justify his inclusion - two intelligent defence-splitting passes almost putting Asprilla clear. On both occasions though, the passes were marginally over-hit, but at least they suggested that Newcastle's plan was to copy Derby's slick movement.
That seemed a sensible idea, particularly when County offered a quick reminder of how it should be done, Sturridge collecting Elliott's impressive long ball before shrugging off Alessandro Pistone and feeding the unmarked Baiano on the edge of the Newcastle area. The Italian had time to pick his spot, but in doing so allowed Stuart Pearce to get a vital deflection. In desperation, Dalglish turned to his old pal Ian Rush with 20 minutes to go and the ageing Welshman's first action saw him just fail to put a touch on to Gillespie's curling centre.
Newcastle: Hislop, Watson, Pistone, Pearce, Albert, Batty, Barnes, Gillespie, Tomasson, Ketsbaia, Asprilla (Rush 71). Subs Not Used: Given, Barton, Peacock, Hughes. Booked: Ketsbaia, Albert.
Derby: Poom, Rowett, C Powell, D. Powell, Elliott, Burton (Hunt 81), Carsley, Eranio, Baiano (Willems 71), Sturridge (Wanchope 59), Yates. Subs Not Used: Hoult, Solis. Sent Off: Eranio (80). Booked: Carsley, D Powell, Eranio. Referee: K Burge (Tonypandy).
Liverpool expect to be told this morning that they have finally won the right to sign the American international goalkeeper Brad Friedel after his initial request for a work permit was turned down. Meanwhile, nine months after resigning as the manager of Everton, Joe Royle could shortly return to football with West Bromwich Albion who are considering installing him as Ray Harford's successor.
