Southgate backs Downing as Roeder pressure increases
Downing capped a sizzling performance with the pinpoint 85th-minute corner from which Nigerian striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu rose highest to head Boro to a hard-fought derby victory.
Southgate said: “Stewart did today what he does week in, week out for us and I think if someone had finished one of his crosses for England the whole perception would be different.
“Stewart is much loved here and when he is positive he is a massive asset. He would be seen as the same for England if those chances which have been missed had been scored.”
Southgate expressed relief at his side’s tight victory, which he admitted was all the sweeter given the tense derby atmosphere which has always existed between the two sides.
He added: “There is more relief because there was more tension around the ground and it got through to us in the first half because so many of our lads have grown up in the area.
“We are almost seen as the underdogs here or perceived as being the smaller club. I think everybody went out there with a point to prove and I am delighted for us.”
Southgate’s admission that his side may have only deserved a draw was fiercely disputed by his counterpart Glenn Roeder, who has now presided over the Magpies’ second worst ever Premiership start.
Roeder insisted: “Undoubtedly we should have won because of the superiority we had in the first half. But when you do not take your chances you always feel it may come back to haunt you.
“I thought we were in control in the first half and the second half was more even. I know Steven Taylor made a fantastic goal-line clearance but we had chances at the other end.”
But Roeder admitted his side’s habit of missing chances had to change, with disgruntled Magpies fans chanting for the removal of chairman Freddy Shepherd at the end of the game.
Roeder added: “It is a case that too often this year so far we have shot ourselves in the foot and lost games we shouldn’t have. We need to pick ourselves up off the floor again and stride on forward.”
Opta Fact: Newcastle have lost six of their last eight league games.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Schwarzer, Davies, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor (Huth 46), Cattermole, Boateng, Euell (Maccarone 77), Downing, Yakubu, Viduka (Rochemback 46).
NEWCASTLE: Harper, Carr, Moore, Taylor, Ramage, Milner (N’Zogbia 89), Parker, Butt, Duff, Sibierski (Ameobi 30), Martins.
Referee: M Atkinson (W Yorkshire).
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