Newcastle beat Middlesbrough, stay afloat in Premier League

Monday, May 11, 2009 at 9:44 PM Posted by Beijing News


Alan Shearer experienced his first victory as Newcastle United's manager when precious goals from Steven Taylor, Obafemi Martins and Peter Lovenkrands ensured a 3-1 success over Middlesbrough in a St James' Park relegation battle.

They are goals that could be worth up to 50 million pounds 70 million dollars to Newcastle, who would lose a substantial portion of their income if they drop out of the Premier League.

With two games remaining against Fulham and Aston Villa, they are still far from safe, but they are out of the bottom three following a game Shearer described as the most important of his Newcastle career.

Middlesbrough, in contrast, must now accept they are heading for the Championship next season after losing a game where they took the lead and wasted several other chances.

"Newcastle don't do things the easy way," sighed a relieved Shearer afterwards, adding his men knew "they have to go out and do exactly the same again on Saturday" against Fulham before their final game at Aston Villa.

"I don't believe we'll be in the bottom three again - it's still in our hands," Shearer insisted.

Boro counterpart Gareth Southgate was defiant.

"It's not over yet. We have to win the last two games - which we're capable of doing."

An own goal from Habib Beye put Middlesbrough in front before Taylor equalised, before substitutes Martins and Lovenkrands condemned Gareth Southgate's team to their 11th successive away defeat.

Ominously for the visitors, this derby date fell on the anniversary of the birth of Jackie Milburn, United's legendary centre-forward, and also Shearer's testimonial, which marked his farewell as a player three years ago.

Five games under Shearer had produced two points and just one goal, although Middlesbrough's form was no better, with only one win in their previous eight Premier League games.

Southgate reacted by handing Dutchman Marvin Emnes his first league start of the season in attack alongside Afonso Alves.

Boro, scorers of only nine goals away from home this season, required just three minutes to go ahead through an own goal when the goal rebounded off Beye after Turkish international Tuncay Sanli's shot was blocked by goalkeeper Steve Harper.

Mark Viduka, once of Boro, led Newcastle's response, hitting a post before Taylor fired over from the rebound.

Taylor proved to be far more effective with his head in the ninth minute when he outjumped Gary O'Neil and powered Danny Guthrie's corner inside the same post.

Newcastle were now thriving on their extra possession and Viduka's cross from the left found Michael Owen, whose header was turned over by Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones.

But Boro came close when Viduka carelessly lost possession in his own half in the 29th minute, leading to a shot by Emnes against the legs of Harper, who was fortunate when the 20-year-old forward wastefully steered the rebound wide.

Newcastle then put the game out of Middlesbrough's reach when Lovenkrands turned in Kevin Nolan's cross with just four minutes remaining.



Space shuttle Atlantis lifts off at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. AFP/Stan Honda

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