Shearer inspires Newcastle to comeback

Fulham 2 Newcastle 3

Sven-Goran Eriksson came to Loftus Road tonight to assess future England stars – but was instead given a flashback to the past as Alan Shearer inspired Newcastle to a storming comeback victory.

Fulham were 2-0 up inside seven minutes, with goals from St James’ Park old-boys Lee Clark and Louis Saha, but Shearer was the hero as the Geordies powered back to clinch this thrilling 3-2 success.

Shearer, 33, who considered coming out of his self-imposed international retirement earlier this year, set up the first and scored the second and third himself as Sir Bobby Robson’s men made it four wins on the trot.

Bowyer could have given the Tynesiders a two-goal cushion with 15 minutes left.

He dragged his side-foot shot across the face of goal from Ameobi’s pull-back.

Bramble redeemed himself for his earlier blunder by clearing off his own goalline eight minutes from time.

Fulham substitute Junichi Inamoto blasted an acute drive past Given – but Bramble hooked clear from under the United crossbar.

Given then stuck out a leg to boot away Legwinski’s late shot from Inamoto’s cross as United held on to win.