SIR Bobby Robson said he felt that mistakes from his team had proved costly in Saturday's 2-1 reversal against Manchester United.

Alan Shearer had given United a first half lead, but two goals in quick succession from Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes gave the visitors the points.

"I thought we shaded the first half, and we went in a goal ahead on merit," said Sir Bobby.

"Remember in this game last year we were 4-1 down at that stage, so that was an improvement. We had controlled the play and I felt we edged it.

"But we knew what they would be like in the second half, we said that at half time. because they were a goal down and would have been angry.

"They have class players, and they played the start of the second half with a high tempo and have caught us with two quick goals.

"Costly mistakes have cost us the match. van Nistelrooy turned into space that you could have got a double decker bus into for the first goal, and then Scholes has been left to run from midfield for the second goal.

"Young Chopra could have made himself a hero at the end when Alan playted him in, but perhaps he just lacked that bit of cleverness to beat the keeper and he allowed him to make a save."

Sir Bobby felt some crucial decisions went against his side during the game, though he admitted Andy O'Brien was lucky to escape when he fouled van Nistelrooy in the first half.

"Andy has made the tackle from behind, he's the last man and maybe he's been a bit lucky. The referee was behind the play and the linesman hasn't really helped, but that's the way it goes," he added.

"Sometimes those decisions go for you, sometimes they don't. But look at the incident in the first five minutes when Shola went through with Rio Ferdinand. They have jostled for the ball and in my opinion Ferdinand has never touched the ball, but that's how it goes."