If some clown ever decides to rename Bramall Lane, then the Alamo Arena would be a suitable new title - at least for the end that Newcastle successfully defended in the second half.

After an opening 45 minutes in which the home side made - and missed - the two main chances in an otherwise arid encounter, the second period saw the visitors score a fortunate goal before digging in to repel boarders and surviving a frantic finale when Harper's goal was besieged.

Three times the Magpies 'keeper made vital stops and when he denied Sheffield for the third time, half of the home side sank to their knees in disbelief. That came in extra time as Harper denied Henderon with a block reminiscent of Viz icon "Billy The Fish", superbly diverting the ball round the right hand post with his left arm.

Amidst all the plaudits that accompanied Chris Hughton's winning start to life as our permanent manager however, he may ponder on the fact that his side created more scoring chances when losing at Scunthorpe, a result that led to press and fan comments that were perceived as overly negative by a number of the players.

But it was all smiles after this game, as a second successive win banished memories of the double away defeat at the end of last month and the three points returned us to the top of the table.

Despite a discernible upping of the tempo after the restart from Newcastle, a goal didn't seem likely until Ryan Taylor strode forward and tried his luck from distance, getting just the sort of heavy deflection that we usually suffer from (to support the theory that these things level themselves out, consider Ben Watson's fortunate strike for QPR at SJP in late September).

An injury hit Blades side contributed to a full-blooded affair, but were unable to get past Harper - also finding difficulty when forced to combat the physical threat of Carroll and the confident forward runs of Enrique - who seemed to have recaptured some of his early season form, but was again frustratingly inconsistent with his final ball.

It was the return of Coloccini though that ultimately proved to be the difference between three points and one - or none - here, giving Newcastle more solidity and pace in that area than with Khizanishvili there and also providing support to allow Kadar to post a more confident display.

Into the final stages and with both Ranger and Harewood on the field but the former tracking back to emulate the defensive work of Carroll, the game was as exciting and nerve-jangling as any we've been involved in since relegation.

The majority of the side showed ample endeavour and application tonight, but quite what planet Gutierrez was on is open to question - never mind not being at the races, wasn't even en route to the bookies. 

If recent talk of a January departure is accurate - and like Michael Owen, international commitments seem to be uppermost in his thinking, then perhaps it's as well to do the deed and take the money - but it's doubtful whether we even have the scouting network to find a replacement. Another unanswered question, among many round these parts.

And even after being substituted, his elongated stroll towards the touchline could still have cost us dear - that blatant time-wasting seeing additional minutes added to the game. And equally culpable was the buffoon in the away section who didn't throw the ball back into play late on - not as obvious as hoying an inflatable on the field, but in its own way just as much of a potential own goal.

While a 'roll your sleeves up and battle' attitude will see us match most of what is against us in the league this season, the obvious and tangible benefit of some top-drawer creativity in the team was never more apparent than on nights like these, along with that other golden asset of pace.

The snag with appointing a defender as manager (and another one as head coach) is that while their defensive tuition is worth its weight in the precious metal of your choice, the other outfield departments of the side are left to their own devices.

In the same way that Carroll has undoubted enthusiasm and potential, Ranger looks gifted but unmoulded. Who at SJP will add to his game though? Who will pinpoint the piece of play late on when he squandered possession in front of the opposition box and allowed the Blades to break?

Small things, but they bundle up into more significant questions of the who, why, what variety. Continually putting the club on the market and taking it off again hardly suggests we have a blueprint for future success in place. 

We may frequently make heavy weather of it but getting back into the Premier League looks like being the easy bit. 

Top of the league yes, but a weaker club/team than the one relegated last May - and with little belief that situation will have changed by the seasons' end, even with that missing first choice "spine" of messrs Ameobi, Barton and Taylor back in harness.

Maybe Ashley will explore the potential in getting naming rights revenue from a biscuit manufacturer, given that we look destined to become the club a Yo-Yo?  

Biffa