Newcastle are facing a players' backlash over the decision to let on-loan Lomana LuaLua play and score against them for Portsmouth but manager Sir Bobby Robson insists: "It was nothing to do with me." Democratic Republic of Congo international LuaLua, a £2million buy from Colchester two years ago, joined Pompey on loan last month and claimed a late equaliser at Fratton Park yesterday.
His strike held Champions League-chasing Newcastle to yet another draw - they have now drawn their last seven away games in the Premiership - and French defender Olivier Bernard said: "It was a wrong decision. He was always going to
score and he killed us."
Craig Bellamy, who had put Newcastle ahead with his fourth goal in four starts after returning from a knee operation, said: "I don't know who made that decision to let Lua play but he's a very talented and there's no doubt about what he would do. It is a big disappointment to see another two points disappear like that."
Filed by Ciaran Cronin
