Manager Chris Hughton praised the quality of Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper after Monday night's 1-0 win at Sheffield United which restored the Magpies' position at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.
The 34-year-old produced several fine stops to help condemn the Blades to a fourth straight league defeat, but none better than the brilliant reaction save to keep out Darius Henderson's point-blank header in stoppage time.
Asked whether his side were fortunate to leave with a win, Hughton said: "No. What we have had is Steve Harper who made a couple of absolutely fabulous saves and that's the quality of the keeper he is. Over the 90 minutes we deserved what we got."
Hughton added: "He's doing the business. There are different aspects to Steve Harper. He's a Newcastle lad and has been here for a long time, he's a very calming influence, a mature lad and a mature player and that has been invaluable for us.
"It was vitally important we got something from the game."
Newcastle climbed back to the summit courtesy of a lucky own goal after Ryan Taylor's low 25-yard shot deflected off hapless Blades captain Chris Morgan and into the bottom corner to heap more pressure on the hosts' manager Kevin Blackwell.
Hughton dismissed suggestions Leicestershire referee Kevin Friend might have blown for a foul in the build-up to the goal when Kevin Nolan clattered into Blades defender Kyle Walker, leaving the ball to break free into Taylor's path.
Hughton, marking his first game as permanent manager with his side's third win in seven league matches, said: "My first impressions are that he won the ball."
Comment 1 - 13 of 13
SH is a fantastic keeper. Always has been. Unlike other keepers he doesn't make clumsy errors. He's consistent and reliable and NUFC won't have a problem with goalkeepers for a long time to come. As for England he should defo have a chance to prove himself. Capello will soon be watching. The misfits who play ok for their clubs bottle it when it come to the big stage. Harper won't. Top quality goalkeeper and top bloke. Good luck to him!!!!
Think I can see a pattern developing here.For a decade Shay Given was NUFC's best player and should have won nearly every man of the match in the games he played in,now Steve Harper is the best player and often should be man of the match.Why this much focus on the goalkeeper? is it because he's always the most active player on the pitch?
selfpitycity: Little girl go away back to your nanny.
Number 8, Selfpitycity, why do you even bother coming to other people's club's to comment? I never even look at other team pages never mind to be bothered to comment on them.
Not related to the Harper debate, but equally as important.
Ashley and Lambias. Thousands of you give your money to these con artists every time the TOON play at S J P. Stop spending money in the club shop, the bars and catering facilities in the ground, and they might just leave sooner because they're not getting anything out of it.
Stay in your seat at half time for every home game in a show of solidarity and support the team, our club - not ASHLEY. He's laughing all of the way to the bank. Look at Ashley and Lambias on M O T D. They're laughing at us. 36 thousand TOON supporters stay in their seats at half time - at every home game - suddenly, it's Ashley and Lambias that look like victims. NOT US ! Get a grip man..
He plays for Newcastle,he can't be that good.xx
I've said it for years now, and i'll keep on saying it - this man is the best English 'keeper, in ANY division, by a country mile!
I find it simply disgraceful that he never even makes the squad; one thing's for 100% certain, if he was languishing in the reserves of any of the self-proclaimed 'big-4', he'd be an automatic first choice for England. It stinks!!!!!
Alas, it wouldn't surprise me if he is sold off in January - still not convinced fatty's finished his plundering yet, and i do expect the dodgy-dealing mackems to be poking around then!
I think we all know they were lucky, but by God they could do with a bit of luck at the minute considering how a once-proud team has been brought to it's knees by leeching players and bad business management (and some appalling refereeing decisions recently - Doncaster for starters).
You can't call Harper's saves lucky though, right place, right time - good positioning!
I am long term Newcastle united fan but they were lucky last night
the whole team played totally @#$% never deserved the win but well done harper!
Harps for England? Why not? He's streets ahead of some of the clowns who've had a chance already. If SH hadn't been behind Shay for so long, he'd be England #1 by now. Howay the Toon.
agree with trev, SH has had to wait a long time for his chance behind probably the best keeper in the premier league, but he's taking it well.
good luck to him.
He`s got what it takes.
Really pleased that Steve is managing to make a name for himself now. Shame that he was in Given's shadow for so long - not quite as good as him yet, but not far off at all. A few more consistent matches under his belt and he'll be up there with some of the best in the country.
Please login to post a comment
Not already a Yahoo! user ? Sign up to get a free Yahoo! Account