Did We Catch Chelsea On A Bad Day?

The Magpies frustrated their opponents but many of us felt it was a very subdued Chelsea that turned up on Sunday. Maybe of their own doing, expecting to roll us over in first gear, which was far from the case.

When the opposing manager suggests we were "well worth a point", it usually means we were the better team, and on Sunday Chelsea were never at the races. Steve Harper had the easiest game he's had all season ... at any level ... not just the Premiership.

But having beaten Liverpool and held Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United this season at St James' Park, why the hell have we lost to Fulham, Charlton and Sheffield United, and made premature exits from the cup competitions at home?

Nicky Butt: "The supporters would be justified in wondering why we can't play like that every week - we're asking ourselves the same question. We've done well against all the big teams at St James's Park, but we've let ourselves down on occasions as well.

"When we produce performances like we have against the top-four teams at St James's Park, it makes you feel even worse. Maybe there's a reason why we haven't done that on a consistent basis and it's a question that we have to ask ourselves when we look in the mirror.

"There was no particular secret to our success in bringing Chelsea's winning run to an end - it was just about giving our all. We were disappointing (at Portsmouth) and the fans and the manager let us know that. We didn't perform as we should and we had a meeting last week and brought a few things out in the open. We knew we had to play for each other and play as a team because when we put our heads together and do that, we can compete with the best. We deserved a point - if not a win.

"We've been up and down this season and we need consistency if we're going to get anywhere. It has also been difficult with all the injuries and the facts speak for themselves. I hope we can get everyone fit for next season and wipe the slate clean because we're as disappointed as the fans about what has happened.

"We haven't performed to the level we should have done and we want to kick on next season. If we're honest, we're not going to make any waves this season but we just have to amass as many points as we can. But the main thing is to look forward to next season and try to get everyone fit because when all our players are available, we've got as good a team as almost anyone going forward and hopefully we will be up there challenging the big teams for things."