Newcastle continue to impress

Newcastle United 2 Southampton 1

Newcastle United shook off a Champions League hangover to bank another three Premiership points by coming from behind to beat Southampton.

The Magpies’ powers of recovery were tested to the limit in more than one sense as they put weary muscles and minds to the test once again and rescued victory from the jaws of defeat.

All thoughts of European glory were erased just 66 seconds into a hard-fought contest when James Beattie blasted home a superb volley, but Shola Ameobi’s 41st-minute equaliser as Newcastle raised their game set the scene for full-back Aaron Hughes to win it nine minutes into the second half.

Southampton’s challenge eventually withered and died in the face of a United storm, although substitute Agustin Delgado set the alarm bells ringing with an 88th-minute turn and shot.

But on an afternoon when Alan Shearer was again denied his 100th Premiership goal for his home-town club by a combination of good goalkeeping, last-ditch defending and controversial refereeing, the home side walked off to appreciative applause after a good week.

The fear after Wednesday night’s heroics in Rotterdam was that heavy legs and tired minds might have an effect on Sir Bobby Robson’s troops, and that certainly appeared to be the case in the early stages.

Beattie did little to help the United cause when, with just 66 seconds gone, he smashed an unstoppable volley past Shay Given and in off the post to give the visitors the lead.

And on the evidence of what transpired over the next 20 minutes or so, that was little more than Gordon Strachan’s side deserved as a disjointed Newcastle performance left fans who had turned up ready to party fearing that the champagne had lost its fizz.

Beattie and strike partner Brett Ormerod were proving a handful for Andy O’Brien and Steve Caldwell, and the latter was grateful to see his attempted clearance from a Beattie cross loop up and over the bar.

Newcastle were guilty of squandering possession and not making the most of their opportunities to test the Saints defence in the face of a determined effort from the visitors, and it was not until Kieron Dyer started to pull the strings that they began to prosper.

And in the end, they could really have gone in at half-time with a lead.

Ameobi, who had earlier forced a fine save from keeper Antti Niemi, levelled four minutes before the break from close range, but it was the trickery of Dyer which created the chance as he ran on to Andy Griffin’s pass and then turned Wayne Bridge deliciously before delivering a low cross towards the striker.

And it should really have been 2-1 within two minutes when Niemi slid into Shearer as he attempted to round him.

Shearer was furious when referee Clive Wilkes failed to point to the spot and received a booking – one of four in the first 45 minutes – for his pains, guaranteeing the official a noisy reception as he headed for the dressing room.

Beattie announced his return with a dipping volley just 12 seconds after the restart, but after collecting that effort, Given was to see little more of the ball as his side went for the kill.

Hugo Viana, whether by design or not, was playing in a freer role and it was he who collected Gary Speed’s pass to run at the heart of the Saints’ defence.

The teenager’s pass escaped Ameobi but fell for full-back Hughes, who prodded a close-range shot past Niemi to make it 2-1.

And from that point on, there looked to be only one winner.

Dyer had the bit between his teeth and Viana was starting to turn on the style, but despite creating chances, Southampton stood firm.

Shearer had a goal disallowed for offside and Dyer saw two efforts blocked after mazy runs.

Niemi pulled off a good save to deny Shearer again with 75 minutes gone after Speed’s quickly-taken free-kick, but their side received a wake-up call seconds later when Delgado looped a header over from Beattie’s cross.

Shearer thought he had extended his side’s lead 10 minutes from time when he powered in a header from Viana’s corner, but Matt Oakley was in the right place at the right time to clear off the line with Niemi beaten.

But as fatigue began to take effect, Delgado went close to an equaliser two minutes from time after turning Caldwell and firing just wide.

The final whistle sparked joyous celebrations in the St James’ Park stands as Robson’s troops completed another job well done.