Toon scrape point in derby

Sunderland boss Peter Reid admitted he is puzzled by the decision to exclude his talented midfielder Julio Arca from the shortlist for the Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year award.

Emile Heskey, Steven Gerrard, Wes Brown, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Alan Smith make up the final six but Reid believes his left-sided Argentinian should be in the running.

Arca again showed his worth in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Newcastle at the Stadium of Light and Reid said: 'Julio's only 19 - wait until he grows up! It was fast and furious but every time he got the ball he was composed.

'I think he's unlucky not to be nominated for the Young Player of the Year award. He's come halfway around the world to a different culture and a lot of South American players haven't handled it.' Reid paid Argentinos Juniors £3.5million for Arca last year and, while the atmosphere during Saturday's Wear-Tyne derby was chaotic, he was calm, and instead of carelessly squandering possession, he caressed the ball around. Considering Arca's display, it was a surprise when Sunderland's goal came from a move down the right - Don Hutchison's incisive pass enabling French defender Patrice Carteron to score on 66 minutes.

Yet Sunderland's European hopes were virtually snuffed out by Andy O'Brien's equaliser 13 minutes from time, which gave his side an undeserved point.