Shearer and Bellamy sparkle as Magpies defeat Everton

Newcastle United2

The 32-year-old United captain, who on Friday was handed a two-game European ban for elbowing Inter Milan defender Fabio Cannavaro, blasted home a stunning 86th-minute volley to cancel out Kevin Campbell’s 17th-minute opener, setting the stage for the Welshman - sent off for kicking out at Marco Materazzi against the Italians - to snatch victory at the death with a deflected shot.

Robson was delighted with the response from both men as they finally made the visitors pay for the 22nd-minute dismissal of defender Joseph Yobo for a trip on Bellamy.

‘‘Both lads have had a lot of publicity in the last three days and I think now it’s their time to be praised,’’ said Robson. “What happened on Wednesday is over, we’ve dealt with it.

The quality of Shearer’s strike, a blistering 25-yard volley from substitute Shola Ameobi’s knockdown, was breathtaking, and almost left the 69-year-old lost for words: ‘‘I don’t think Alan would have ever hit a better shot than that. I don’t think he’s ever hit a better one in the past, and I don’t think he’ll ever hit a better one in the future.”

Shearer’s goal reignited United’s challenge just as it looked as though Everton’s stubborn resistance had won the day, and preserved the Magpies record of never having lost a Premiership game immediately after a European tie this season, a run which extends to eight wins and a draw.

Everton boss David Moyes was devastated after seeing the organisation of his side take them to within four minutes of a famous victory, but was most disappointed at referee Mark Halsey’s decision to red card Yobo.

‘‘We’re extremely proud of them, but disappointed that we didn’t get more from the game,’’ he said. ‘‘We defended really well and I think you all know what kind of goal it took to get Newcastle back in the game.

‘‘By the rules, it’s a sending-off, but I think it was harsh. I think we’re all a little bit sick of the referees sending them off so easily. He didn’t pull his jersey, he didn’t trip him up. He ran over the back of his legs, and I think if you look at the incident, which I’ve been fortunate enough to see two or three times, you wouldn’t have said that he actually meant to stop the boy going through to score a goal. I think the referees are hiding a little bit behind the law at the moment.’’

Meanwhile, United will decide today whether or not to appeal against Shearer’s European ban.

‘‘All I can tell you is that we’re having a meeting tomorrow to discuss it,’’ Robson said. ‘‘I’ve spoken to Alan personally, I’ve had a minor meeting with the chairman (Freddy Shepherd) and Russell (Cushing, director of operations), and we’ll come to a decision tomorrow. It’s just a pity that we might have to go to Barcelona without those two, but there it is.’’

NEWCASTLE: Given, Griffin, O’Brien, Caldwell (Ameobi 81), Bernard, Solano, Dyer, Speed (Viana 81), Robert, Shearer, Bellamy.

EVERTON: Wright, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Unsworth, Carsley (Weir 24), Tie Li, Gravesen, Pembridge, Campbell, Radzinski (Rooney 73).

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire)