By Martyn Osmond
May 2 2004

Player ratings from our shocking Premiership tie away at Manchester City on Saturday 1st May. Given - 9: Couple of spectacular saves, couldnt be faulted for the goal. Punching, catching was good

Hughes - 6: Solid enough, mix up with OB to allow Wanchope between them for the goal.

O'Brien - 8: Excellent apart from the goal. Dealt with Anelka well on a couple of occasions, had the crowd singing his name.

Bramble - 3: Don't know why ive decided he merits that. As per usual, a couple of monumental howlers, one costing us a goal, the other very nearly costing us a second. Premier League? - he's having a laugh.

Bernard - 6: Solid as always. Nowt of mention really, given a bit of a torrid time by Wright-Phillips.

Ambrose - 7: Another decent performance. Couple of good efforts, tracked back well.

Viana - 5: Worked hard, but does not contribute enough for a player of his talent. Don't see what he offers to the team.

Speed - 7: Worked tirelessly. As always.

Robert - 3: Why can't he just play like everyone knows he can? Ages since his last goal now, when he looked at one stage like he could be heading for the 20s, he's stuck on 12. Came off with an apparent injury.

Ameobi - 4: Poor. Missed a good chance, came off whinging about blisters.

Shearer - 6: No service. As always, did nowt wrong, but hows he gonna score if he never gets the ball??

Subs:
Brittain - 7: Came on and did well, got a couple of decent balls in and was stron defensively.

Bridges - 6 Didnt really get a touch.

Chopra - 6 Ditto.

Worth noting that our bench was made up ENTIRELY of Geordies - Harper, Taylor, Brittain, Bridges, Chopra - to add to the two in our strike force. Not much consolation but nice to know from my point of view.

Support to team - 6: subdued after the goal, mainly we knew we were never in it.