DESPITE 30 years coaching and management experience between them, last night was still a case of the old against the new as Graeme Souness locked horns with Jose Mourinho.

The cool thoughtful Mourinho in the blue corner against the fiery Souness in the black and white corner.

Earlier this week the 51-year-old Scot let fly at home to Fulham and was charged by the Football Association after his touchline bust-up with referee Howard Webb during the 4-1 home defeat to Fulham.

His reaction to the embarrassing reverse was to say he wanted to fight someone, and he hoped his players felt as frustrated as he did.

On the field his response was to replace centre-back pairing of Andy O'Brien and Robbie Elliott with Ronnie Johnsen and Titus Bramble.

Souness retained his commitment to his three striker policy - Craig Bellamy playing in right midfield.

Mourinho exploited the 24-strong squad at his disposal with mass changes - only four remained from the starting XI which beat Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Chelsea man's most recent outbursts saw Mourinho criticise the Blues' faithful for a lack of support to their side - a verbal rant at officials during a game somehow appears beneath the 41-year-old.

First out of the blocks last night was Mourinho. An early error by O'Brien giving Mateja Kezman an opening had the former Porto boss up and about.

His made to measure grey overcoat was well buttoned up, and the cold Tyneside air may have had more to do with his eagerness for activity than the action on show.

But the small notebook and pen in hand allowed him to retain the air of a keen student of the game. More thinker than tinker.

Souness started in the stands next to chairman Freddy Shepherd - right hand man Dean Saunders barking out the occasional order to the Scot's charges.

On the half hour some great interplay between former West Ham duo Glen Johnson and Joe Cole ending with Johnson firing wide from the edge of the box had Mourinho showing his appreciation.

Souness' thoughts were likely to be less positive and shortly after he made the move from stand to sideline as half-time approached.

Fifteen minutes into the second period and Mourinho decided he had the man to win it in the shape of Arjen Robben.

Off went Damien Duff and within three minutes Robben almost set up a goal - Tiago missing a sitter from eight yards.

Just to add to the Magpies' problems Frank Lampard also entered the fray, and the question was now did Souness have the know-how or the firepower to trump his Portuguese opponent?

However, it was Robben's propensity to play act rather than play that had Souness scratching his head.

He was still scratching his head as the game moved into extra-time - now the tactical battle had really begun.

And it was Mourinho who pulled off a masterstroke in bringing on Eidur Gudjohnsen who within two minutes had fired Chelsea ahead putting them on their way to a 2-0 win.

l Louis Saha finally found his scoring touch at Old Trafford last night to send Manchester United on their way to a Carling Cup triumph over Crystal Palace.

Saha broke his seasonal duck with a superb opener, and Kieran Richardson added a second before the break as the Red Devils' second string eased into the last eight.

Richardson was one of the stars as was the returning Quinton Fortune who provided the cross for Saha's goal.

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