Some points:
1. Hernandez's booking for diving should not have been a penalty, whatever Man United officials and fans will claim. From a consistency point of view, perhaps a booking was harsh. On the other hand, though, I would be happy if refs gave yellows every time a player made such a meal of any contact as Hernandez did, though I am aware this might be unworkable.
2. So Lovenkrands' penalty decision. It could easily have been a spotkick, although I don't feel too bitter about it. But if you watch the replay, is the referee even looking?
3. Aside from the controversy, it was a good point for Newcastle. Of course, the Toon are now at the fabled 40-point figure, and are all but safe from relegation. Manchester United started to assert themselves in the second half, but the Magpies had done enough in the first half to ensure that the point was justified.
4. Having said that, though, Ryan Giggs had a poor miss towards the end of the second half, and really should have give his side the lead.
5. Tim Krul was excellent in goal, and for a relatively inexperienced keeper, did especially well at the feet of Hernandez twice. The first of those, inside 90 seconds, was crucial to ensure the Red Devils did not almost immediately have something to defend.
6. Jonas Gutierrez was also very good, causing problems for Man United in ways in which Geordie fans must be somewhat frustrated that he doesn't produce every week.
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