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Uri did it for the Toon Dec 19 2001

By The Evening Chronicle

Uri Geller has claimed credit for breaking Newcastle United's London hoodoo and sending the Toon army to the top of the Premiership.

The spoon bender put his powers to work to banish the curse of 29 matches without a win in the capital.

As Bobby Robson's heroes began their fightback in the 3-1 thriller Uri was running around Arsenal's Highbury stadium willing United to victory.

Uri claimed to have a hand in the sending off of Arsenal's Ray Parlour and helped Alan Shearer bend the ball to slot home a penalty.

Even shell-shocked Arsenal boss Arsen Wenger said he felt like "there was a sorcerer at work" on the pitch on Monday night.

Uri, who succeeded where exorcists and voodoo witchdoctors had failed before him, said: "I put my heart into this. It was incredible."

The 54-year-old paranormalist added: "I knew the team would win. I am so happy for everyone who supports them. It was exactly what I said."

Newcastle's first win in London since November 1997 came after an amazing match which saw two players sent off, a panalty and outrageous aftermath scenes as Arsenal striker Thierry Henry went mad at referee Graham Poll.

For 30 minutes it looked like Newcastle could be heading for match number 30 without a win after the Magpies went one goal down.

But Mr Geller explained why the first half had been so torrid, saying: "I arrived late and had no ticket. But the moment I got out of the car and touched the Highbury stadium, the Arsenal player Ray Parlour was sent off.

"When we approached I had the scarf, the football and the shirt and I have the feeling Newcastle people are open minded and that they would go along with my instructions to look at the picture of me in the Evening Chronicle.

"I started screaming and shouting for Newcastle to win. And soon after the start of the second half I said to my friend that Shearer would score from a penalty.

"That was half an hour before it happened. But I knew it. I knew the team would win. I am so happy for everyone who supports them. It was exactly what I said.

"While Newcastle were scoring their winning goals I was running round the outside of the ground 11 times to lift the hoodoo.

"I even predicted the 3-1 scoreline after I got o the ground. I sat in the car and listened to the game on the radio. And after Arsenal scored I decided it was time to act.

"There was a lot to do with the number 11. Newcastle had not win in 29 games and two plus nine is 11. Number 11 is very mystical and powerful. So I ran around the ground 11 times. Ther facts speak for themselves."