United in safe hands on the pitch
NEWCASTLE United might not be in safe hands off the park.
But there's no question the club's in the safest of hands on the pitch, as Steve Harper demonstrated at Bramall Lane last night.
Newcastle were far from their best against a struggling Sheffield United side, yet thanks to Harper's heroics, a dogged determination and a slice of luck, they returned to the top of the Championship ahead of Saturday's home game.
And the man who for so long denied Harper first team football with his form between the posts – Manchester City's Shay Given – was at the game to see him make two match-winning stops to deny Darius Henderson and Keith Treacy late in the game.
Given – in the headlines himself the day before for his penalty save against Birmingham City – left Bramall Lane with a broad smile on his face, such is his affection for his old club.
"I think they'll take promotion however it comes about," said Given.
"They need to be back in the Prmeiership – they deserve to be there,"
Harper, however, wore the frown of a man who knows he and his team-mates have to do it all again 31 more times – and maybe more should the club enter the lottery of the play-offs – before the Premier League can be reached.
Until Newcastle find a rhythm going forward, the 34-year-old is likely to have a few more testing 90 minutes.
Chris Hughton – on his first game as permanent manager – had opted for a cautious approach, playing just one recognised striker Andy Carroll, with leading scorer Kevin Nolan supporting him up front.
Elsewhere, Fabricio Coloccini and Danny Simpson returned from injury, and Alan Smith was back from suspension, though Steven Taylor failed a late fitness test.
Hughton's players found themselves on the back foot from kick off, with Henderson drilling a low shot narrowly wide of Harper's goal, and Kevin Blackwell's side went into the break wondering just how they weren't ahead.
However, the change Hughton had made just before the break, switching wingers Jonas Gutierrez and Ryan Taylor, bore fruit eight minutes into the second half.
Nolan launched himself into a challenge on Kyle Walker, and the ball ran to Taylor down the right channel.
Taylor skipped forward and unleashed a fierce shot which cannoned off Chris Morgan and wrong-footed the unfortunate Ian Bennett.
The goal, for a while at least, knocked the stuffing out of Sheffield United, though they regrouped in time for a late onslaught, Blackwell's men spending the last period of the game camped deep in Newcastle territory.
To Hughton's frustration, his players gave away a succession of free kicks, but thanks to Harper, they kept hold of the points, and with Peterborough United visiting on Saturday, Newcastle have a chance to extend their lead at the top.
Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson was in the stands ahead of the game, and with his team in desperate need of points, St James's Park's probably about the last place he wants to go right now.
SHEFFIELD UNITED: Bennett; Morgan, Kilgallon, Henderson, Evans (Camara, 76), Harper, Stewart (Cotterill, 70), Davies, Treacy, Quinn, Walker (France, 61). Subs not used: Reid, Williamson, Bunn, Little.
NEWCASTLE UNITED: Harper; Simpson (Ranger, 76), Coloccini, Kadar, Enrique; R Taylor, Nolan, Butt, Smith, Gutierrez (Harewood, 85); Carroll. Subs: Krul Guthrie, Geremi, Tozer, Donaldson.
Goals: R Taylor 53
Bookings: Morgan 30, Carroll 38, R Taylor 42
Sent off: None
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
Attendance: 26,536
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Friday 25 May 2012
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