Robson fumes but Derby miss out

When Bobby Robson signed Laurent Robert at the start of the season, he proudly proclaimed the Frenchman as his £10million gift from chairman Freddy Shepherd.

But even the most luxurious presents have their drawbacks and at the moment Robert is playing as if batteries were not included.

The Frenchman has enough skill in his left foot to win matches and he has shown it already in his 15 games for Newcastle. But, like countryman David Ginola before him, doing it regularly takes a little more effort.

The difficulty for manager Robson is teaching Robert the difference between a subtle arm round the shoulder and a mighty punt up the derriere. His aim is to get the best out of a player who, in one effortless run past three defenders, earned the penalty which gave Newcastle and Alan Shearer their winner.

Robson said: 'We know that when he is one on one with the full back he can get past him, but his tendency is to pass the ball and stand back smoking a cigar. We have seen the problem and we know how to put it right.

'You saw from the run which led to the penalty the devastation he can cause. He has to get used to the pace and the power of the Premiership and the fact that full backs will get tight to him, get past them and get crosses in. We need Laurent to win the battles.'

For all their endeavour and the ingenuity of Benito Carbone, Derby left empty-handed after another outstanding performance from Shay Given, who saved Fabrizio Ravanelli's second-half penalty.

Derby manager Colin Todd said: 'You saw a true performance from us but when we got the chances we didn't stick them away.

'We have told the players what is the point of getting in good positions if we can't deliver?'