Premiership: Win keeps Newcastle at the top

Leeds 3 Newcastle 4

Not even the dramatic return of Lee Bowyer could prevent Newcastle from staging a sensational second-half comeback to disprove boss Bobby Robson’s claim they are not genuine contenders for the Barclaycard Premier League title.

When the controversial Bowyer was named in the starting line-up 45 minutes before kick-off, it seemed inevitable his transition from villain to hero in the space of 48 hours at the end of a headline-hitting week would be complete.

Bowyer scored one and made the other two as Leeds romped into a 3-1 lead, but this Newcastle team are made of sterner stuff these days under Robson as they went on to fully expose Leeds’ new-found defensive frailties to snatch a heartstopping win.

It had all been set up for Bowyer to again hog the back pages just eight days after walking free from Hull Crown Court in being acquitted on charges of affray and grievous bodily harm with intent.

Bowyer at first refused to pay a £64,000 club fine for breaking the code of conduct but later changed his mind and cleared his way to return to action.

Despite being the focus of unwanted attention, a sorry spell should have ended with O’Leary’s Christmas wish being granted and Leeds going top of the table.

For the second time in a week Leeds blew a two-goal lead at Elland Road, and you have to say that but for Bowyer then this is a match O’Leary’s side would have lost heavily.

O’Leary only recently conceded just how much they had missed Bowyer’s drive and energy down the right side during the last seven weeks in which he has been out of action due to a hamstring injury.

There was no doubt it took Bowyer a while to warm to the task on a bitterly cold December afternoon which occasionally took on a Christmas feel with a number of snow showers.

Mark Viduka had spurned three superb opportunities and former Leeds star Gary Speed had forced Nigel Martyn into a stunning save before a breakaway move led to Newcastle taking a 36th-minute lead.

Alan Shearer sent Kieron Dyer, a long-time Leeds target, away down the right wing, with the England international then easing his way past the challenge of Ian Harte before sliding a low ball into the path of Craig Bellamy to blast home his 11th of the season.

But within a minute Leeds were level, and cometh the hour cometh the man for there only had to be one scorer.

Viduka’s pass picked out Bowyer and after cutting inside Nikos Dabizas on the edge of the area, he then slotted home his fourth goal of the season and his first since October 18 by nutmegging Shay Given.

There was now no stopping Bowyer who promptly set up Leeds’ next two goals, firstly with a crossfield ball for Seth Johnson, who in turn fed Viduka on the corner of the box.

Viduka, slated by the Magpies supporters at the break following his challenge which led to Dabizas being stretchered off and a booking, then sublimely dragged the ball back to turn Andy O’Brien.

The Australia international immediately fired a superb right-foot shot beyond Given from 16 yards for his ninth of the season and his third in successive matches.

Bowyer then unwittingly set up Leeds’ third goal as his mishit shot fell to Harte who scored with a 20-yard left-foot drive after 56 minutes.

But Leeds have proven to be defensively suspect in recent matches and within two minutes they gave Newcastle a lifeline which was to ultimately, and so gratefully, be accepted.

Robbie Elliott’s diving header was helped on its way by Martyn who had set up the left-back by palming an angled Dyer drive into his path.

When Shearer stroked home a 71st-minute penalty after Eirik Bakke had been harshly adjudged to have handled a Speed flick from just six inches, the scene was set for a winner.

It came Newcastle’s way in the final minute.

A Christmas cracker of a match culminated with Nolberto Solano sliding home the visitors’ fourth to give the Magpies a fifth win in their last seven games at Elland Road, stretching their lead at the top of the table to three points.

It proved to be Leeds’ first league defeat at home for 11 months, and the winners that day were also Newcastle.

It was no wonder Bowyer trudged off a disconsolate figure, his week of woe complete.