Manchester United are still adjusting after several seasons.The visitors revived in the second period with Robert Lee recovering his now customary influence, but paradoxically, Given was more severely tested. This pre and post-Champions’ League preoccupation and hangover may become a problem for Dalglish, this result notwithstanding. Frank Lampard Jnr, Hartson and Steve Lomas were further denied before half-time as West Ham swarmed over a Newcastle side whose minds and bodies still seemed drained by Wednesday’s triumph. His first save came after just five minutes, leaping to tip John Hartson’s header over the bar. At Upton Park, he was almost faultless, just one cross going astray which West Ham were unable to benefit from.That was a minor error compared to the pluses.

At Newcastle he has bought Shay Given, who showed his quality in Newcastle’s 1-0 win at West Ham on Saturday.Given may have been partially at fault for Barcelona’s second goal on Wednesday night, but having made a string of saves to deny the Spanish side, his account was well in credit. At Blackburn, one of his first signings was Tim Flowers, with a record fee for a custodian. At Liverpool, he inherited a notoriously gaffe-prone No 1 in Bruce Grobbelaar, but retained him for his acknowledged brilliance. That eases the pressure on them – they know a mistake may be redeemed and thus make fewer.Kenny Dalglish may have been a forward, but he knows this.

Had Schmeichel played for either of them, the championship would probably have left Old Trafford.Schmeichel makes mistakes, but they are seized upon precisely because they are so rare. Across a season he does not just make saves few keepers can, his ability and presence reassures his defenders. Not so.Two seasons ago, Manchester United had Peter Schmeichel, Newcastle United had Pavel Srnicek. The Czech international is a good keeper, but is inconsistent. Had Schmeichel and Srnicek traded places in 1995-6 Newcastle, not Manchester United, would have been champions.The same applies to Shaka Hislop, signed by Kevin Keegan to provide competition for Srnicek, and David James, whose crisis of confidence ended Liverpool’s aspirations last season.