Interim United Manager Chris Hughton:

"It was a wonderful finish. Shola struck the ball very early. You can see the confidence in him. Saturday's victory was a better performance. But I thought we showed enough battling qualities to keep a clean sheet.

"It's a wonderful crowd and one we most definitely don't want to take for granted. What we do know is we have got to give them something to turn up in their thousands for.

"Nothing has changed, if the club is sold at any stage, then possibly I might get a knock on the door and be told that things will change. I have very much enjoyed the challenge so far and I am very happy to continue until told otherwise."

A decade on from their last appearance in Toon, Wednesday returned to SJP and were once again unable to find a way past Steve Harper. While the 'keeper was a virtual spectator here in 1999 though as we racked up eight goals without reply, he played a rather more high-profile role in this victory.

Shola Ameobi's fourth goal of the season ultimately sent United up to third in the Championship after a second home victory in five days, but Harper's saves from ex-mackem Michael Gray and former Toon target Francis Jeffers were pivotal in securing another three points.

Recent loan signing Danny Simpson made his Newcastle debut at right back, while Ryan Taylor moved to right midfield, compensating for the absence of Joey Barton. 

Boosted by Saturday's success, the home side got off to a roaring start, Kevin Nolan going close with a long range effort. The visitors weathered early pressure, only for United to conjure up the vital goal with a quarter of an hour gone.

And it was almost 2-0 just before the half hour when Shola was allowed a free header from a Ryan Taylor corner but Grant saved well. Carroll then had a decent penalty shout ignored by Phil Dowd in the 36th minute but Chris Hughton's side went into the break deservedly ahead.

Birthday boy Ryan Taylor's free-kick was tipped over and Nolan almost converted from a corner, but Wednesday threatened to level when Gray's free-kick tested Harper in the 64th minute.

By then Xisco had replaced groin strain victim Carroll and United began to withdraw as Wednesday made three changes of their own and went in search of an equaliser. Jeffers then seemed a certain scorer late on but another save from Harper denied the former Everton and Arsenal man. 

And at the other end, substitute Nile Ranger made his presence felt up front throughout four minutes of added time - leaving the field bleeding from a facial cut for his trouble.

Wednesday's large and noisy following went home muttering about poor refereeing decisions from Phil Dowd, but in truth he and his officials were quick to halt the game at either end and called most decisions correctly.

The Owls certainly provided stiffer opposition than Reading and were more solid in both midfield and attack, but lacked a cutting edge up front. In a match of limited chances though, Ameobi made the most of what he was given with the vital breakthrough - watched from the stands by his one-time United strike partner, the equally-in-form Michael Chopra.

Unbeaten in three games, the off-field shenanigans here mean that nothing is set in stone as regards leadership, ownership and inbound/outbound transfers. The worry at this point though is that the current owner and his lackies feel relaxed enough about this league to believe that we're upwardly mobile without investment.

We said before the start of the season that picking up points from the first whistle was essential and that our strongest line-ups would be on the field before the transfer window closed. With at least two further departures predicted to take the outbound total to a dozen, 

The players that have gone - and remain - were the players who were either unable to keep us up, or incapable of getting on to the field often enough to make a difference. On that basis we're not too bothered about anyone leaving this squad - provided that there are sensible acquisitions to compensate for the consequent gaps in the squad. 

To take a value judgment on the quality of teams in this league after 270 minutes is to ignore both our perpetual injury and suspension issues and underestimate the strains that an additional eight league fixtures and sundry cup matches will place on our squad.

Giving youngsters squad numbers doesn't automatically mean that they will be capable of stepping in to the senior side - our current mob aren't of the quality of Ossie's babes (Alan Thompson, Lee Clark etc) and they were ultimately found wanting when the going got tough against unfashionable, but durable sides.

We're not suggesting that we'd have been better off losing all of our games, but it would have perhaps given people more of a reality check, both in the stands and in the Directors' Box.

Biffa