Monsieur Houllier: 

In the great tradition of those Newcastle v Liverpool "classics" so prized by Sky TV, this game had just about everything - goals, incidents, talking points.... 

The big difference of course from those Anfield examinations was that we won.

Precisely how we managed to score two goals and only concede one remains something of a mystery. For long periods of the game, we seemed in as much disarray as we had when the unwashed from down the road came calling the previous week. 

However, when pressed, the Reds' rearguard were as guilty of losing concentration as ourselves  and significantly both Toon goals came as a result of direct attacks down the centre of the field.

Early indications were that it was going to be a frenetic afternoon once Solano had given United a fourth minute lead (the third time in eight home games we'vescored at this exact time) and the officials began to exercise the patience of home fans with a succession of dubious judgments.

In a curious way though, the awfulness of referee and linesmen played a part in this victory, stoking the home fans up into a ferment of righteous indignation that only increased the vocal backing to the team as match wore on. 

Suspicions that the flag waver nearest the East Stand was a either a Brookside extra or relative of Jimmy Tarbuck seemed to be confirmed by some of the worst offside calls in living memory. To make matters worse, he switched wings in the second half, ensuring he managed a full 90 minute shift of frustrating Toon fans and players alike.

If fortune had deserted us the previous week here against the mackems, it was certainly looking after us today; Shay Given, his defenders and the woodwork combining on numerous occasions to preserve United's single goal advantage. 

Of course this just wouldn't be Newcastle if we had managed to hold on once a two goal cushion had been grabbed, and sure enough the improving Heskey ensured a coronary-inducing finale. 

While purists might draw attention to the lack of style United displayed in their victory, I for one couldn't give a tinkers cuss about that. Battling qualities of the type displayed by a partially immobilised Alan Shearer and a totally committed Andy Griffin strike as much of a chord with your average punter than fancy footwork and a victory achieved by sheer force of will over more stylish opponents is very bit as memorable. Just ask the mackems that were here last week....

After having slagged off Dyer in recent weeks, his second half performance must be highlighted and praised. Aside from the goal, he grafted for ninety minutes and provided an outlet for the rest of the side when attempting to alleviate pressure on the United box. 

Of course, the winning goal (his first at home this year) was one of his better finishes, having worked the opening through his own speed of thought and pace from Shearer's flick on. In the first half he'd elected to centre when well placed, but fortunately bearing down on the Gallowgate his nerve held and he scored a beauty. If only he could do it a bit more often....

We still seem to be a team in transition, with injured and unsettled players clouding the picture. The three points gained in this game propelled us back into the top half of the table, a truer reflection of our season than the earlier top four place we enjoyed. Robson is still hamstrung to a certain extent, forced to mix and match players to fill shirts and saddled with the legacy of former managers, both in terms of personnel and budget. 

Under those circumstances this was a welcome victory, but he must be aware that especially in the front and back lines, we're a long way from being the finished article. Something about battles and wars seems appropriate....

Biffa