89 mins: An undeserved "consolation" courtesy of a Brian Deane poke home via his hand, following a free kick from Ziege which seemed to mesmerise Steve Harper on his line. That caused minor panic among crowd but the lads held out. 2-1.

Full time: Magpies 2 Boro 1

Sir Bobby said:
 
"Robert Lee is playing like an international player. His performance was as good as any experienced midfield player in the country. You talk about Dennis Wise and you talk about Paul Ince and he's playing as nice football as any of them, and he's enjoying it very much.

"He hardly wasted a pass and Gary Speed is working like a Trojan alongside him. We have a terrific midfield.

"Alan Shearer has got ten goals in four games - and he was unlucky not to get a hat-trick."

Bryan Robson:

"I don't think we competed all over the park. We decided to play well in the second half but the game was all over by then. Newcastle outran and outfought us."
 

Despite the fact I refuse to subscribe to the common fallacy that this is a "Derby" (suggesting that we have something in common with the deficient gene pool that spawned Chris Rea and that daft old womens' football team), I do get a special pleasure from beating the 'Boro.

Maybe it's the pathetic sight of people old enough to know better banging drums in the Seal Sands Samba Band or whatever they call themselves, or just Bryan Robson twisting his face, but the whole whinging lot of them set my teeth on edge. Getting my knackers hoofed across the Riverside car park a couple of years ago may also have been a contributory factor of course...

Whatever, the combination of a sunny day (manna from heaven indeed for roofless Leazes Enders), and the continuing scoring form of Wor Al would have straightened even the most down in the gob supporters. 

At times, the approach play of the home side exceeded that conjured up in the Sheffield Wednesday drubbing, but this time the goals weren't racked up in quite so spectacular a manner. Nolberto Solano caught the eye with some good work, although the cowardly part of his nature when confronted with a 50/50 situation continues to prompt howls of frustration from some home fans.

Pre-match pub waffle had resulted in general agreement that the worst was over, at least as far as fixtures were concerned, and this game was the first of a run where realistic expectations of gathering points in multiples of three could be voiced (Highbury excepted.) 

So it came to pass, and apart from a brief late flap (and another needless late substitution to divert concentration), a thoroughly unattractive 'Boro side got what they deserved - nowt. 

The non-appearance of Gazza didn't seem to perturb many on either side, and the fitful contribution of Jooneeenniiihooo confirmed suspicions of a money/old rope scam. 

That Tony Blair knew he was doing when he sorted out his work permit...... 

Biffa