Major setback hurts Newcastle

Middlesbrough fans will be raising a glass to their former striker Jaime Moreno after he scored one of the goals in the US Major League side DC United's 3-1 victory over Newcastle United in a friendly in Washington yesterday.

Middlesbrough fans will be raising a glass to their former striker Jaime Moreno after he scored one of the goals in the US Major League side DC United's 3-1 victory over Newcastle United in a friendly in Washington yesterday.

With just three days' training behind them the Magpies looked heavy legged, and the game was lost by the time the former England captain, Alan Shearer, came on as a67th-minute substitute.

Passes went astray and the new £7m signing Carl Cort had a quiet game. A 66th-minute goal from Argentinian Daniel Cordone, another summer signing, did little to inspire Bobby Robson's side.

In contrast DC looked in total control from the 28th minute when the Bolivianinternational Moreno finished off a flowing move. Further goals from Llamosa and Pete Marino capped a bad day for Newcastle.

The Celtic manager, Martin O'Neill, yesterday pledged to take the blame for all theproblems in his new squad after surrendering a 2-1 lead against 10-man Bordeauxbefore losing 4-2 at Parkhead on Saturday

"I was pleased with someaspects, but the problems which have been there for quite some time are still prevalent," O'Neill said.

"The fact we lost some poor goals is reminiscent of how the side have been for some time, but it's my team now and I have to rectify the problems as soon as possible.

"The team generally still have a few things to work on and it's going to be hard work too if we're going to get ittogether before Sunday."

One positive aspect was the performance of Henrik Larsson, who scored his first goal since breaking his leg in October.

The former Celtic striker Mark Viduka enjoyed a successful debut for his new club, Leeds United, on Saturday. TheAustralian international scored a hat-trick as the Elland Road club cruised to 7-1 win over the Swedish outfit Lysekils. Ian Harte scored two penalties and Alan Smith added another, with an own goal completing the tally.

David O'Leary's mencomplete their Swedish pre-season tour today when they face Jonkoping Sodra IF.