Barton sticks the boot to Di Canio but Sunderland boss gets the last laugh as 50,000 watch man of the moment Harper miss penalty in spotkick defeat to AC Milan
It was lucky Paolo Di Canio was a late call-up to the AC Milan Glorie side to face a Newcastle Legends team for Steve Harper's testimonial.In a remarkably competitive tie the score finished goal-less, but Di Canio provided enough entertainment for the 50,793 fans who packed St James' Park and were baying for his blood at every touch.
He ran out of the tunnel ahead of kick off to the loudest boo heard at St James' Park for a long time but lapped it up and blew kisses to all four stands.
Ouch: The Sunderland boss checks out his leg after Barton's challenge
Friendly rivalry: Barton shakes Di Canio's hand and all is forgiven
All smiles: Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio laughs with Franco Baresi after getting booed by the home fans
Boo boys: Di Canio smiles as the St James' Park crowd welcome him onto the pitch
Still got it: Di Canio chases down former Toon defender Darren Peacock
Target: Di Canio is on the receiving end of a challenge from Lee Bowyer
Joker: Di Canio pretends to send off referee Mark Clattenburg
MATCH FACTS
Newcastle United Legends (4-4-2):
Harper (Given 30 (Srnicek 61)); Solano (Watson 55 (Stone 76)), Peacock
(Kilcline 55 (Bernard 76)), Dabizas, Beresford (Pistone 41); Fox
(Gillespie 41 (Kitson 71)), Lee (Butt 41 (Nolan 61 (E Speed 81))),
Bowyer (Barton 61), Ginola (Sellars 55 (Thompson 71)); Ferdinand
(Asprilla 25, (Cole 51)), Shearer (Beardsley 51 (T Speed 81)).
AC Milan Glorie (4-4-2): Rossi; Pancaro (Ba 55), Baresi (Mussi 46), Favalli, Maldini; Oddo (Vierchowod 55), Van Bommel (Lorenzini 82), Costacurta; Lentini (Massaro 55); Di Canio, Gant.
AC Milan Glorie (4-4-2): Rossi; Pancaro (Ba 55), Baresi (Mussi 46), Favalli, Maldini; Oddo (Vierchowod 55), Van Bommel (Lorenzini 82), Costacurta; Lentini (Massaro 55); Di Canio, Gant.
It was not until 37 minutes that Sebastiano Rossi was even tested in Milan's goal. David Ginola hit a shot destined for the bottom right corner but the goalkeeper rolled back the years to pull off a finger-tip save at full stretch.
In the second half he was called into action twice in quick succession. He first tipped Alan Thompson's 30-yard dipping drive just over then a minute later did the same for Andy Cole's header.
Faustino Asprilla showed he's still got it by pulling off an audacious scissor kick that was blocked by Franco Baresi.
Respect: Di Canio greets Harper before kick-off
Family man: Harper brings his children onto the pitch before kick-off
Thumbs up: Harper is given a warm reception by his former team-mates and Newcastle fans
Tearful: Harper struggles to hold back his emotions in front of a packed St James' Park
In a nice touch the late Gary Speed's two sons Ed and Tommy came on for the final 10 minutes and cries of 'there's only one Speedo rang out' around the ground.
Di Canio - booed with every touch - was clearly relishing the reception he was getting.
The loudest cheer of the night came when he was caught on the calf by Joey Barton, but he shrugged it off as if a rain-drop had hit him and played for the entire 90 minutes.
Reunited: Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand started the game up-front together
Battle: Rob Lee goes up against Dutch legend Mark van Bommel in midfield
Rolling back the years: Club record goalscorer Alan Shearer couldn't find the back of the net on his return
Fiesty: David Ginola gets stuck in with a slide tackle on Giuseppe Pancaro
Saved: Aston Villa keeper Shay Given keeps out Maurizio Gant's low effort
It was only fitting, then, that he scored the opening penalty to set Milan on the way to a 2-1 victory.
Costacurta scored the second and only Alan Thompson netted for the Legends. Beardsley missed, Asprilla missed twice after getting to retake, and even Harper missed.
But it was Barton who saw the final penalty saved – to top off Di Canio's night.
Lottery: Both squads watch the penalty shootout unfold
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