Europe and USA, Newcastle and Arsenal. Here was the latest round of what has become the Premier League’s most irritable and intriguing rivalry. Welcome to Bethpage Black and White, where the raiders absorbed the barbs and held their nerve on the green of the St James’ Park battleground to sink one at the last.
Arsenal were trailing 1-0 entering the 85th minute. Whereas Superman had kryptonite, the Gunners have had Tyneside in recent seasons. After another bruising and bitter contest, they were headed for a fourth straight defeat here, again without scoring a goal.