Premier League - Shearer conjures vital win

Eurosport - Tue, 12 May 15:35:00 2009

Alan Shearer made two inspired substitutions as Newcastle United beat Middlesbrough 3-1 at St James' Park to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Newcastle United Newcastle-Middlesbrough Obafemi Martins after scoring in 3-1 relegation battle over local rivals Middlesbrough - 0

The Newcastle manager introduced strikers Obafemi Martins and Peter Lovenkrands in the second half, and both scored to earn his team a precious victory against their North East rivals.

A Habib Beye own-goal put Middlesbrough ahead inside five minutes, before Steven Taylor's powerful header saw the relegation battle into the break at 1-1.

Martins scored with his first touch after replacing Michael Owen on 71 minutes to put United ahead, and Lovenkrands sealed all three points with a convincing finish five minutes from time.

The result moves Newcastle above Hull City on goal difference and outside the bottom three.

Boro, meanwhile, slide deeper into the mire and are now three points from safety with just two matches of the Premier League season remaining.

It all started so well for Gareth Southgate's team when Tuncay's sharp turn in the box created space for a shot on three minutes

Steve Harper saved the Turkish striker's stabbed effort, but the Newcastle goalkeeper could only watch on in anguish as his parry was deflected into the net by the helpless Beye.

Boro's lead would last just six minutes.

Newcastle drew level when Taylor lost his marker and glanced home Danny Guthrie's right-wing corner with a firm header.

The goal gave the home side belief and on 27 minutes Brad Jones made a fine reaction save to stop Owen's goalbound header.

Boro's Marvin Emnes then shot wide after Harper saved his initial effort, but the teams went into the break all square.

The first genuine chance of the second half also fell to Boro, but once again Harper came to the rescue, parrying a powerful drive from Gary O'Neill.

With a draw no good for either side, Shearer then shuffled his pack - first introducing Lovenkrands for Jonas Gutierrez and then Martins for Owen, who once again delivered a low-key performance.

Martins had been on the field for just 55 seconds when he took possession inside the Boro box and shot past Jones, despite falling over in the process.

Lovenkrands sealed victory for Newcastle, blasting home Kevin Nolan's right-wing cross to send the St James' Park crowd into hysteria.

Shearer's team face Fulham at home next, before a trip to Aston Villa completes their season.

Boro, meanwhile, face Villa at home on Saturday, followed by a visit to West Ham on the final day.

Will Tidey / Eurosport

Comment 164 - 183 of 183

Sort comments by: Most recent

  1. What does FTM mean ashleyliam2? Are you expressing your­ desire to "Fondle Tubby Males" or "Feel­ Thick Mackems"? Either way this is a Geordie Forum­ and we are not interested in either. Jog on sad case.

    From Bob R, on Thu 14 May 11:54AM

  2. If it had been Kinear not wining in 4 or 5 games he­ would have been booted, cause that TAWT Shearer is­ there he wins one game he is God

    You bunch of fat gay­ drug pushing muggers are so stupid.

    FTM

    From Ian, on Thu 14 May 10:55AM

  3. Cameron, Gallowgate End, South East Corner. Q 27. Gonna­ be buzzing on Saturday. Fulham are excellent at home­ but notso good on their travels. We'll need to cut­ out the silly mistakes against them. Which Newcastle­ will turn up??

    From Clint.Magnum, on Wed 13 May 9:22PM

  4. We are ace come on newcastle and shearer

    From crazynuts96, on Wed 13 May 1:53PM

  5. You can do better then that keep up the good work for­ newcastle

    From Sydney, on Wed 13 May 7:33AM

  6. just brill newcastle you can do it wolves fan come on­ newcastle

    From bill w, on Tue 12 May 11:42PM

  7. Good match but like Shearer said don't get carried­ away this is going to be a close one

    From Tab N, on Tue 12 May 8:21PM

  8. well now if u can get a point at the weekend and we can­ get one at pompy we can all look forward to the true­ northeast derby again next year,we've both been as­ bad as each other don't think either has won the­ bragging rites this year but all being well we can­ cotinue the battle next season

    From heslop448, on Tue 12 May 7:12PM

  9. we, boro deserve to be relegated to be honest we play­ rubbish and fail to score goals so wheres that going to­ get us? nowhere right so we might as well be relegated­ rather than struggle to play next season in the pl

    From smiley123, on Tue 12 May 5:01PM

  10. Need we ask Alan to have great starting line-up?,­ methinks games are now won in the first half and­ consolidated in the second. well done Alan, but shake­ up your team. Too much potentials in the team for your­ present position. Hope you stay up!

    From Segun, on Tue 12 May 4:18PM

  11. well done shearer

    From Frosty, on Tue 12 May 4:06PM
  12. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Recently, I discovered a hot place -- Tallchat Co M --­­ where many sexy tall singles who like sports and­­ chatting there. I'm an open minded girl from UK, I­­ also like discuss sports and love with tall guys on it.

    From shidigerade10, on Tue 12 May 4:01PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    too little, too late

    From Martin C, on Tue 12 May 3:44PM

  14. andrewfrancis1966 you must be suffering from dementia,­ support second to none? I remember when you got crowds­ of 10,000 and less. As for people wanting you to stay­ up, dream on.

    From ronunited, on Tue 12 May 3:20PM

  15. Clint.Magnum
    Way up in the rafters mate Sir John­ Hall!
    Sometimes i get a better seat tho and give the­ nephew mine.
    Where are you?

    From cameron w, on Tue 12 May 1:17PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    well well well 1 win and your all so so happy if you­ survive it will be just the same next season NO TOP­ RATED PLAYERS WILL COME TO NORTH EAST FACT OF LIFE­ DEPRESSED AREA

    From Ken A, on Tue 12 May 12:56PM

  17. Lovenkrands - written off a few seasons back after his­ spell at Rangers, now doing the business in the Premier­ League - Brilliant.

    From mfranklin444, on Tue 12 May 12:47PM

  18. Cameron where did you sit at SJP this season?

    From Clint.Magnum, on Tue 12 May 12:16PM

  19. I meant "beat Fulham" ! x

    From Clint.Magnum, on Tue 12 May 12:09PM

  20. dazmanutd
    Respect mate!

    From cameron w, on Tue 12 May 12:04PM
Sort comments by: Most recent

Not already a Yahoo! user ? to get a free Yahoo! Account