Sub standard

The fantastic crowd did its utmost to inspire the Magpies and was duly sent into rapture when Obafemi Martins scuffed a shot into the unguarded far corner of the net having only been on the pitch 55 seconds. Replays reveal that Kevin Nolan, who became active in the move, was offside in the build up, but after the season United have endured a little fortune was more than welcome.

Martins replaced Michael Owen who had put in a decent shift and forced a good reflex save by Brad Jones in the first half after connecting with a Mark Viduka cross. Whether it was down to Shearer's good judgement or total luck, both his substitutions proved significant. Arguably as important as Martins, was the earlier introduction of Peter Lovenkrands for the ineffective Jonas Gutierrez. Damien Duff was solid as a makeshift Left Back but had little support from the wayward Argentinean whose positional sense and indecision on the ball continually frustrated.

The naturally left sided Lovenkrands added balance to the team and the Dane was rewarded for a good run into the box when Nolan's well placed pass allowed the winger to effectively put the game out of the visitors reach in spectacular fashion.

With the game seemingly won, Andy Carroll completed the trio of substitutions and replaced the excellent Viduka. And the local lad had two good opportunities to add a fourth but smashed both his efforts against the onrushing Jones.

The final whistle was met with a huge ovation and the win means Newcastle creep out of the relegation zone on goal difference. Relief all round as the future of Newcastle United is once again in its own hands. Nevertheless, momentum from Monday must be carried into the Fulham match on Saturday because survival is far from secured.