Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
Newcastle 3-1 Middlesbrough
Taylor, 9 Beye (og), 3
Martins 71
Lovenkrands, 86
They don't make it easy on themselves up on Tyneside. Watching this spirited and determined victory over Middlesbrough, the objective observer could be forgiven for wondering why they hadn't tried such an approach earlier. If Newcastle had played with even half of this conviction and belief at any point since Kevin Keegan's departure, the relegation zone would be far beneath them by now. As it is, this result only levels the playing field as the final two league matches approach. They are out of the dropzone on goal difference alone and, for all the celebrations on the final whistle, it's not over yet.
In their darkest hour, Newcastle couldn't have asked for more suitable opponents. Middlesbrough are one of the few teams in the league to have performed worse than them in recent weeks and there was certainly no chance of Gareth Southgate deviating from the tried and untrusted 4-4-2 that has delivered such a paucity of success this season. This meant that Alan Shearer could dispense with his delusions of a fully functioning back three and match his opponent in every position.
In the end though, it was just one player who made the difference. You can call Mark Viduka many things. Overweight. Out of shape. Lazy. He's not stupid though. Historically, his best performances always seem to coincide with the last days of his contract and he knows full well the power of a good audition, especially in a televised game. Look at the purple patch he enjoyed at Middlesbrough just before he left. This was vintage stuff from the Australian, but as always it asked more questions than it answered. What if Viduka had played like this throughout his career, instead of just at the important moments? With that irresistible combination of build and technique, he could have been one of the greatest strikers of his era. You could see it here in the way he held the ball up, the lack of backswing on the ferocious shot that clattered off the post, the deft touches and headers. Where was all of this in the last two years?
It was Viduka who set Obafemi Martins up for the crucial second goal, a strike that arrived just 55 seconds after the Nigerian had replaced Michael Owen. Owen, who used his column in the match programme to tell the world how upset he was to be dropped for the Liverpool defeat, cut a sad figure as he left the pitch. It's been a long time since he even looked like scoring. There will be a temptation to hail Shearer as a managerial genius for the timing of the change and the goals that followed, but in reality Owen was so anonymous that it was nothing more than an obvious switch.
Newcastle fans may respectfully disagree, but this wasn't a proud night in the club's history. This much needed victory has only vindicated the common consensus that the club have played within themselves all season. There has always been quality there, just a lack of coherence and a lack of application. One tub-thumping win against a stricken Boro side will mean nothing if they don't repeat the performance against Fulham next week, and even then they may still have to go to Villa Park and get something on the last day of the season. Newcastle may still have left it too late, but at least their destiny is in their hands now.
LOSER - Steve Gibson's loyalty has finally cost him. There's a lot to be said for standing by your man, but in all honesty, it was clear six months ago that Gareth Southgate was fighting a losing batle at the helm of his club. You won't find a single Boro fan who will criticise Gibson, and rightly so, but his failure to act sooner was a big mistake.
SAFE HANDS - Steve Harper has waited years for a run in the first team and how the Geordie faithful must appreciate him for his loyalty. His point blank save from Gary O'Neil in the second half typified his contribution. Brave, strong and unyielding. He'll come in handy in the next couple of weeks.
TURNING POINT - It was an obvious substitution, but Alan Shearer's decision to withdraw the subdued Michael Owen turned the game on its head. Obafemi Martins needed just 55 seconds to take a touch and drive the ball into the back of the net. Yes, there was an offside in the build-up, but do you think there's any chance of anyone on Tyneside remembering that?
PUNTER'S RANT - Marvin Emnes will have endured an unhappy night reflecting on his misses. Almost as unhappy as anyone who backed Boro for victory actually. He really couldn't have had any easier opportunities to score, but it's probably best not to mention that to him right now.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Mark Viduka hasn't played with this kind of desire since, well, the last time his contract was running out. Fleet of foot, if not of body, he was on hand for all manner of knock-ons, tap-downs and set-ups, and was very unlucky not to score in the first five minutes. He'll be like this until he signs another big money contract, which is probably only a matter of weeks away.
MATCH STATS
Crowd - 51,252
Yellow Cards - Butt, Nolan (Newcastle), Huth (Middlesbrough)
Red Cards - None
Newcastle -
Steve Harper (rating 7), Habib Beye 7, Steven Taylor 8, Sebastien Bassong 7, Damien Duff 7, Danny Guthrie 8, Nicky Butt 7, Kevin Nolan 7, Jonas Gutierrez 7 (Peter Lovenkrands 7, 65th), Michael Owen 6 (Obafemi Martins 7, 70th), Mark Viduka 9 (Andrew Carroll 6, 87th)
Middlesbrough -
Brad Jones 7, Justin Hoyte 6, Matthew Bates 6, Robert Huth 6, AndrewTaylor 6 (Adam Johnson 6, 76th), Stewart Downing 6, Gary O'Neil 7, Mohamed Shawky 7 (Jeremie Aliadiere 6, 69th), Sanli Tuncay 7, Marvin Emnes 6, Alfonso Alves 6 (Marlon King 6, 36th)
Taylor, 9 Beye (og), 3
Martins 71
Lovenkrands, 86
They don't make it easy on themselves up on Tyneside. Watching this spirited and determined victory over Middlesbrough, the objective observer could be forgiven for wondering why they hadn't tried such an approach earlier. If Newcastle had played with even half of this conviction and belief at any point since Kevin Keegan's departure, the relegation zone would be far beneath them by now. As it is, this result only levels the playing field as the final two league matches approach. They are out of the dropzone on goal difference alone and, for all the celebrations on the final whistle, it's not over yet.
In their darkest hour, Newcastle couldn't have asked for more suitable opponents. Middlesbrough are one of the few teams in the league to have performed worse than them in recent weeks and there was certainly no chance of Gareth Southgate deviating from the tried and untrusted 4-4-2 that has delivered such a paucity of success this season. This meant that Alan Shearer could dispense with his delusions of a fully functioning back three and match his opponent in every position.
In the end though, it was just one player who made the difference. You can call Mark Viduka many things. Overweight. Out of shape. Lazy. He's not stupid though. Historically, his best performances always seem to coincide with the last days of his contract and he knows full well the power of a good audition, especially in a televised game. Look at the purple patch he enjoyed at Middlesbrough just before he left. This was vintage stuff from the Australian, but as always it asked more questions than it answered. What if Viduka had played like this throughout his career, instead of just at the important moments? With that irresistible combination of build and technique, he could have been one of the greatest strikers of his era. You could see it here in the way he held the ball up, the lack of backswing on the ferocious shot that clattered off the post, the deft touches and headers. Where was all of this in the last two years?
It was Viduka who set Obafemi Martins up for the crucial second goal, a strike that arrived just 55 seconds after the Nigerian had replaced Michael Owen. Owen, who used his column in the match programme to tell the world how upset he was to be dropped for the Liverpool defeat, cut a sad figure as he left the pitch. It's been a long time since he even looked like scoring. There will be a temptation to hail Shearer as a managerial genius for the timing of the change and the goals that followed, but in reality Owen was so anonymous that it was nothing more than an obvious switch.
Newcastle fans may respectfully disagree, but this wasn't a proud night in the club's history. This much needed victory has only vindicated the common consensus that the club have played within themselves all season. There has always been quality there, just a lack of coherence and a lack of application. One tub-thumping win against a stricken Boro side will mean nothing if they don't repeat the performance against Fulham next week, and even then they may still have to go to Villa Park and get something on the last day of the season. Newcastle may still have left it too late, but at least their destiny is in their hands now.
LOSER - Steve Gibson's loyalty has finally cost him. There's a lot to be said for standing by your man, but in all honesty, it was clear six months ago that Gareth Southgate was fighting a losing batle at the helm of his club. You won't find a single Boro fan who will criticise Gibson, and rightly so, but his failure to act sooner was a big mistake.
SAFE HANDS - Steve Harper has waited years for a run in the first team and how the Geordie faithful must appreciate him for his loyalty. His point blank save from Gary O'Neil in the second half typified his contribution. Brave, strong and unyielding. He'll come in handy in the next couple of weeks.
TURNING POINT - It was an obvious substitution, but Alan Shearer's decision to withdraw the subdued Michael Owen turned the game on its head. Obafemi Martins needed just 55 seconds to take a touch and drive the ball into the back of the net. Yes, there was an offside in the build-up, but do you think there's any chance of anyone on Tyneside remembering that?
PUNTER'S RANT - Marvin Emnes will have endured an unhappy night reflecting on his misses. Almost as unhappy as anyone who backed Boro for victory actually. He really couldn't have had any easier opportunities to score, but it's probably best not to mention that to him right now.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Mark Viduka hasn't played with this kind of desire since, well, the last time his contract was running out. Fleet of foot, if not of body, he was on hand for all manner of knock-ons, tap-downs and set-ups, and was very unlucky not to score in the first five minutes. He'll be like this until he signs another big money contract, which is probably only a matter of weeks away.
MATCH STATS
Crowd - 51,252
Yellow Cards - Butt, Nolan (Newcastle), Huth (Middlesbrough)
Red Cards - None
Newcastle -
Steve Harper (rating 7), Habib Beye 7, Steven Taylor 8, Sebastien Bassong 7, Damien Duff 7, Danny Guthrie 8, Nicky Butt 7, Kevin Nolan 7, Jonas Gutierrez 7 (Peter Lovenkrands 7, 65th), Michael Owen 6 (Obafemi Martins 7, 70th), Mark Viduka 9 (Andrew Carroll 6, 87th)
Middlesbrough -
Brad Jones 7, Justin Hoyte 6, Matthew Bates 6, Robert Huth 6, AndrewTaylor 6 (Adam Johnson 6, 76th), Stewart Downing 6, Gary O'Neil 7, Mohamed Shawky 7 (Jeremie Aliadiere 6, 69th), Sanli Tuncay 7, Marvin Emnes 6, Alfonso Alves 6 (Marlon King 6, 36th)
