Victorious Magpies out of relegation zone
Obafemi Martins came off the bench to help Newcastle to a vital win
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Monday, 11, May 2009 10:25
Newcastle United are out of the relegation zone after a crucial 3-1 win over Middlesbrough at St James' Park.
It looked like Newcastle would be falling further into trouble as they fell behind early on through a Habib Beye own-goal. But Newcastle came storming back and gained Alan Shearer his first win with goals from Steven Taylor, Obafemi Martins and Peter Lovenkrands.
The Newcastle manager recalled Michael Owen to the starting line-up and dropped the error-prone Fabricio Coloccini from the heart of the Magpies defence.
But even without Coloccini, Newcastle still looked shaky at the back and conceded a terrible own-goal inside the first five minutes. A speculative shot from Tuncay Sanli hit both Steve Harper and Beye, but neither player were able to stop the ball from trickling into the net.
The home side could have let their heads drop and start feeling sorry for themselves. But instead they raised their tempo and poured forward in search of the equaliser.
They came inches away from getting back on level terms as first Mark Viduka smashed a volley against the post and then Steven Taylor blazed the rebound over the bar.
It was as usual a fantastic atmosphere at St James' Park and the Toon fans were rewarded for their unwavering support with an equaliser.
Newcastle were awarded a corner after a driving run down the right by Beye and Boro failed to pick up Taylor from the set-piece and the defender thumped home his header.
Viduka was having a great game for Newcastle and it was from his cross which led to Owen having a goal-bound header superbly saved by Brad Jones in the Middlesbrough goal.
Harper saved Newcastle at the other end as he made a good save from Marvin Emnes and the Dutchman then pushed the rebound wide of goal.
Owen was replaced midway through the second-half by Martins and though the England forward looked less than pleased, the move proved to be a masterstroke by Shearer.
Viduka was once again involved as he nodded a header into the path of Kevin Nolan who flicked the ball on to Martins. The Nigerian star turned his marker and saw his scuffed shot find the bottom left-hand corner of the net.
The Newcastle fans went wild with celebration and Martins ran straight to his manager to celebrate a goal which could be worth millions for the Magpies.
Shearer looked to have the midest-touch when it came to his substitutions as another of his players from the bench secured the win. Danish international Lovenkrands superbly volleyed home after a cross into the area from Nolan.