"For Joe Kinnear's right-hand man insists that when Diego Maradona did not pick Fabricio Coloccini in his first Argentina side last week, he did United a huge favour."

OK ... he didn't pick Coloccini! Let's pat the drug addict on the back and give him the Freedom of Newcastle.

Hughton (talking to the Evening Chronicle): "In normal circumstances you are happy to see your players picked for their country, but on this occasion we were happy to see Fabricio on the bench.

"And we were just as happy when Jonas came off after about 70 minutes, so Diego Maradona did us a favour.

"In fact, by not playing Fabricio it meant he was fresh for us at Chelsea.

"I have to say I thought he was tremendous on Saturday, but so too were the rest of our players.

"Gutierrez probably created our best chance all game with that run and cross from the right in the first half.

"We went to Stamford Bridge with a plan, and the longer the game went without Chelsea scoring the more self- belief we got.

"We knew that if Chelsea had scored we would have had to come out more, and this would have played into their hands because it's what they are so good at.

"We stayed strong and disciplined and I thought we used the ball very well.

"The only regret is that we did not create many chances, but what opposing team does at Stamford Bridge?"