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March 3, 2003
(Monday)
Woody sets sights
on Title for Toon
Jonathan Woodgate
marked his Newcastle debut with a win and then
immediately set his sights on snatching the Premiership title from
under the noses of Arsenal and Manchester United.
Woodgate helped the Toon go joint second with United with a 2-1
victory over Chelsea, live on Premiership Plus.
Only goal difference keeps Sir Bobby Robson's side behind the Old
Trafford club, and Woodgate insisted that the title race is not just
about the top two.
"I came to the club to win the league," he told Premiership
Plus. "Arsenal are a fighting side and so are Manchester United, but
if we stay with them, then who knows?
"It was a great performance by the lads. Everything which was asked
of us, we have done. It was a six-pointer and a big result."
Woodgate made a steady start to life on Tyneside but admitted a lack
of match fitness - he has been sidelined with a thigh strain since
joining from Leeds, caught up with him in the end.
"You have just got to be right mentally," he said. "If your mind is
right, you'll be okay. I just carried myself through. I think I got
cramp in the last 10 - but I'm alright."
Robson was full of praise for his transfer-window signing and
admitted that the victory was based on a controlled defensive display.
A Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink own goal set the Toon on their way and
although Frank Lampard levelled, a rare goal from Olivier Bernard saw
his side home to three vital points.
"They made it difficult for us and gave us a real test," he told
Premiership Plus. "But in the end, it was a well recorded victory. On
that evidence Chelsea are a fine side and I must say I am pleased
with my players.
"It was thrill a minute and we got a clever goal to win the match.
Where we've perhaps learnt is that sometimes when you're winning 2-1
you don't need to go for another goal. You can't always win 3-1 or 4-
1. You have to learn to win narrowly and sometimes all you need to do
is defend well."
Next article: O'Brien
impressed by Woodgate
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Mills: Time to get over departures
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