Kevin Keegan's much heralded return to St James' Park failed to end with a fairytale victory as former club Newcastle United ended Manchester City's interest in this year's FA Cup. Keegan, who received a marvellous reception from the Newcastle fans who still idolise him following his spells as player and manager, saw his dream evaporate with the sending-off of Republic of Ireland international Richard Dunne in the first half.
Dunne was deservedly shown the red card for a professional foul on Gary Speed after 29 minutes, and despite being camped in their own half for much of an open second 45, Newcastle went through to the quarter-finals thanks to Nolberto Solano's 10th goal of the season on 59 minutes.
The attacking credentials of both sides were the focus of most of the pre-match hype, and although clear-cut opportunities were few and far between in the first half both sides lacked little in endeavour. The pace of Laurent Robert and Craig Bellamy proved a problem for the visitors as United looked for an opener, with Bellamy denied at the far post on 32 minutes and Speed seeing a goal-bound effort hit Robbie Elliott and run to safety.
However, City should have been in front in injury time when Given, who had enjoyed a quiet evening to that point, badly misjudged the pace of Berkovic's through-ball and was beaten to it by Huckerby, only for the former Magpie to side-foot his shot wide.
Paolo Wanchope and Shaun Wright-Phillips both went close after the break as City raised the tempo of the game, while Bellamy's persistence earned him a chance to cross for Aaron Hughes, who saw his shot blocked at point-blank range by Nicky Weaver. The breakthrough finally arrived with 59 minutes gone when Solano raced on to Speed's long ball and, after barging his way past Tiatto, rounded Weaver and stabbed the ball into the empty net.
The visitors refused to throw in the towel and almost snatched an equaliser when only a fine Elliott tackle denied Wanchope, Horlock sent a header across the face of goal and Given produced another good save at his near post to keep out the Costa Rican. Eyal Berkovic and Danny Tiatto continued to drive Keegan's men forward and pinned United back inside their own penalty area for a seemingly endless period.
United weathered the storm and gradually regained control as the seconds ticked away and could have grabbed an undeserved second, but Speed and Bellamy both squandered good chances in the dying minutes.
Filed by Shane Murray
