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WOULDN'T you have taken that score before the match? Considering the turmoil and doom mongers circling, we acquitted ourselves well.

If West Brom are favourites to go up, then we have nothing to fear. That is what makes it so frustrating. Saturday's game proved that even a modest investment in the squad could see us challenging to go back up.

Krul proved we're OK with keepers, Carroll proved a handful, although pairing him with Shola (and his stupid girly headband) isn't a long- term option.

Stevie G and Joey B - two peas in a pod, right? Well, no. Both are Liverpudlian, professional footballers who have been charged with affray: the difference? One is world class and has led his beloved Liverpool to the European Cup, whereas the other just takes the piss out of Newcastle United.

The CCTV footage of Steven Gerrard assaulting a man in a bar has been released and doesn't differ too greatly from the footage that disgraced Joey Barton and his mates for laying into some bloke. In essence, it's the same difference. However, the reaction to each incident will differ greatly due to one being the best midfielder in the world and the other some half decent player. The word here is hypocrisy.

NEWCASTLE UNITED are back in the relegation zone with only one game left to play after losing 1-0 to Fulham at St. James' Park. United came up against a very well organised Fulham outfit but were desperately unlucky when a controversial refereeing decision ruled out a legitimate equaliser.

Mark Viduka had seemingly levelled the game at 1-1 when he headed home a Danny Guthrie corner but Howard Webb insisted the effort be chalked off due to an apparent obstruction in the penalty area. Replays have since revealed that the Magpies have every right to feel aggrieved by the decision.

Had the goal stood and the game remained tied, Newcastle would be approaching the final fixture of the season against Aston Villa outside the relegation zone and expected to secure Premier League survival. However, after Hull City got a vital point at Bolton, United are now a point adrift and need to better the Tigers result against Manchester United next weekend with at least a draw at Villa Park.

NEWCASTLE United have lost 1-0 to Fulham on a miserable afternoon for the Toon Army.

The Cottagers took all three points from the game at St James's Park, and that coupled with Hull's draw at Bolton means the Toon go into the final match at Villa with their future out of their hands.

I reported live on the game, and you can click below to see my coverage and the fans' reaction to the defeat.

EVENTUALLY Newcastle United have come out of a 'must win' game with three points. Belief has been restored, but relief is only temporary as the Magpies prepare for a home encounter with Fulham on Saturday.

The gallant performance by the players on Monday night was befitting of the splendid St. James' Park atmosphere. United played with courage and despite an early set back, proved to have enough fight and quality to see off a Middlesbrough side set to be playing Championship football next season.

Newcastle were handed a boost before kick off with the inclusion of Steven Taylor in place of the lacklustre Fabricio Coloccini, and the committed Centre Back levelled the game at 1-1 with less than 10 minutes played. A fine corner by Danny Guthrie, whose set pieces were threatening all evening, found the powerful run of Taylor who expertly glanced his header into the far corner; a goal that the man in the dugout would have been proud of.

BEFORE I start to crow about us being the 17th best team in the Premier League, I must congratulate Gateshead and Whitley Bay on their excellent achievements last week.

I hope the extra crowds they generated because of the interest go back to support them next season.

Right, to the crowing. In a week in which it was revealed that it's cheaper to maintain Sellafield than an MP, the trials and tribulations of a football team seem pretty small beer.

AN unbelievable night for the Toon Army saw Newcastle United blitz Middlesbrough at St James's Park.

Blog on the Tyne was at the match to bring you all the colour, drama and tension from the relegation shoot-out.

Click below to read my live coverage from the game and see all the banter from the fans.

THERE REMAINS a glimmer of hope that Newcastle United can preserve their Premier League status. Most of that hope depends on Hull City and/or Sunderland dropping points. And, of course, for any of that to even matter, the Magpies need to win football matches.

Hull entertain Stoke City at the KC Stadium on Saturday and if the Tigers were to lose, then three points against Middlesbrough at St. James' Park on Monday night would see United out of the relegation zone. Nevertheless, that is a mighty big 'if,' and should Hull get a result, Newcastle's odds of survival will be lengthened by a country mile before a ball is even kicked.

Newcastle and Middlesbrough can effectively relegate each other in the crunch tie, and a draw would condemn both to the likely fate of playing Championship football next season. It really is all or nothing in a Tyne- Tees derby of colossal consequence.

AT the risk of turning this week's column into a Carry On script, I have a complaint.

Buoyed by the real prospect of an actual victory last Monday, my feelgood factor was further increased by the lure of a free scarf or flag! As ever with Newcastle United, though, there was a caveat. Apparently to get a scarf, you had to sit on level 7, and for a flag, you had to sit facing the TV cameras in the East stand.

All the steaming proletariat got at the back of the Gallowgate was a black-and-white card with some writing on. Marvellous. Forty-two unstinting, largely unfulfilled years of support, and my first freebie is junk mail.

IT was the match every Newcastle United fan had been dreading and the result hardly comes as a surprise as the Toon lost 3-0 at Anfield.

Newcastle's hopes of avoiding relegation now hinge on the must-win Tyne-Tees derby, and the Magpies will need other results to go in their favour if they are to avoid the drop.

Blog on the Tyne brought you all the action from the stadium, as well as fielding your questions about the game and United's season overall.

To replay my match coverage, click below.