Season 2008-2009

NEWCASTLE UNITED

3 v 1

MIDDLESBROUGH

Newcastle: Harper, Beye, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Duff, Guthrie, Butt, Nolan, Gutierrez (Lovenkrands 65), Owen (Martins 70), Viduka (Carroll 87)

Subs Not Used: Krul, Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, LuaLua

Post Match Comments:
Listen to Alan Shearer speaking after the match
Listen to Gareth Southgate speaking after the match

BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match: Newcastle's Mark Viduka (7.66 on 90 minutes)

Newcastle United defeated Middlesbrough 3-1 at St James’ Park to move Newcastle out of the relegation zone on goal difference.

Alan Shearer has had to wait till almost 6 weeks into the job to register his first win as manager of Newcastle United, but it is a victory that could make all the difference in the clubs relegation battle.

The match was a surprisingly open affair that played more like a cup-tie than relegation 6 pointer, and on three minutes Middlesbrough went ahead when Habbib Beye inadvertently knocked the ball into the net after it rebounded up off a save by goalkeeper Steve Harper.

This sparked Newcastle into life, with Mark Viduka instrumental in all Newcastle’s forward play, the Australian striker hit the bar with a snap shot, and on nine minutes defender Steven Taylor rose above everyone to power home a header from a Danny Guthrie corner to the level the match.

In the second half, the introduction of Obafemi Martins for Michael Owen had an instant reward for Shearer.  Again Viduka was involved in the build up before Martins converted a low strike from the edge of the box.

And it was another Newcastle substitute, Peter Lovenkrands, that settled the game with a tidy finish late on to make it 3-1.

So new hope for Newcastle United who have successfully completed part 1 of their survival mission, and with part 2 coming up on Saturday at home to Fulham, the Toon will be buoyed that their fate is now finally in their own hands.
 

AUSSIE MAGS By Row 'S' Army