A Little Bit Of History Changing

Shola Ameobi scored against Sunderland for the third derby in a row to seal a point for Newcastle on Wearside.

Darren Bent struck an early goal for Sunderland, who were looking good as they looked for a third win in a row and back-to-back home victories against their neighbours.

But Ameobi, who struck in both Derby matches last season, was on the scoresheet to ensure the points would be shared for the third time in three seasons.

Nevertheless, under the watchful eyes of his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, Steve Bruce's charges continued their recent spark into life. It took them 16 matches - a Premier League record - to register their first league victory, but back-to-back victories over Birmingham and Bolton have begun a revival many seem unlikely.

As a result, the Black Cats entered the stadium hopeful of continuing this unbeaten run against the old enemy, and their aspiration of such reward was heightened by a seventh minute opener.

Having survived early Newcastle pressure, Sunderland won a corner that was half-cleared to Kieran Richardson. He passed it back to George McCartney, and the Northern Irishman played a ball upfield to Fraizer Campbell. The striker teed it up for Bent, who ran free of poor marking by Steven Taylor to slot the ball beyond Steve Harper.

It was only Bent's fourth goal of the league campaign but the emotion to him and the Sunderland supporters was clearly visible for the world to see.

With an early goal to their name, Sunderland tried to contain Newcastle for the duration of a poor first half, and almost bagged a second on 25 minutes when Geovanni was picked out by a superb cross only to get his header completely wrong.

Newcastle almost made them pay when Mikkel Thygesen laid it off for the unlikely figure of Danny Simpson to strike one, but the one-time Sunderland loanee was denied by a good stop from Craig Gordon.

Mario Mandzukic should have done better when he headed over from the resulting corner, and he was almost made to pay for his profligacy when Lorik Cana attempted the spectacular. His thundering 30 yard drive beat Harper but thrashed against the bar, and it was still shaking after referee Andre Marriner had blown for offside when Bent tried to reach the rebound.

Bent almost scored a similar goal to his first, when he ran free of poor marking but could only find Harper with his shot.

Newcastle then came even closer, with Simpson's cross laid off by Ameobi for Mandzukic, and the Croatian saw his strike well blocked by Gordon.

Having survived that, Sunderland began to ask questions of Newcastle's goalkeeper. Gilberto was first to try his luck when he evaded Joey Barton before firing a superb effort that Harper was equally impressive to tip off target.

Campbell was next to have a go but should have done better when his fairly poor effort was straight at Harper, but he came closer with his next effort when he bore down on goal and forced a good save from the Newcastle keeper.

With the final kicks of the half, Newcastle were so close to levelling. A firm cross by Ameobi was met by an equally powerful header from Mandzukic, who saw his header bounce free off the bar.

Mandzukic was then almost a provider, but Thygesen could not make the most of his opportunity.

This would by Thygesen's last act, as he and the anonymous Jack Wilshere were sacrificed at half-time. It would be a wise decision as one of the replacements was involved in the equaliser.

Jose Enrique's firm ball down the flank picked out Peter Lovenkrands - Thygesen's replacement - and his ball bounced beyond Michael Turner to Ameobi. The striker slowed the game down, did an excellent spin to get away from his marker and then buried a powerful strike beyond Gordon into the bottom left corner.

It was a second goal in a week for the striker, who has been largely overlooked in favour of Andy Carroll so far this season.

Sensing their moment, Newcastle began to attempt to find a winner. Jonas picked out Fabricio Coloccini, who hit the side-netting, before Mandzukic met Jonas' cross only to head straight at Gordon.

But Sunderland were not out of it. They almost had a freak strike when Gordon's long ball almost found Campbell in the other end of the box, which it would have but for a firm stop from Harper.

Geovanni was close with a more rational effort, with the Brazilian midfielder seeing his free-kick fly into the stand.

Ameobi should've had a second goal of the evening when he was teed up by Mandzukic only to fire it into the sidenetting, but Sunderland were closer still when Geovanni saw a pearler kept out by a brilliant save from Harper.

With both sides having played the game at a frantic and exhausting pace, it was only natural that the second half soon descended into a fairly quiet lull, with a few Sunderland half-chances the best either side could manage for a spell.

Sunderland had more than a half-chance with five minutes to go when Campbell teed up Richardson, but last season's derby winner in this fixture couldn't repeat his trick as he fired into the stand.

As the game entered its final moments, Newcastle almost snuck a winner when Kevin Nolan's cross met Lovenkrands, who was denied by a sensational stop from Gordon.

Ameobi struck one over the bar in second half added time, but it was not enough for Newcastle to snatch three points.

It was an intriguing game with impressive pace and surprisingly clean considering the fact it was a derby, and both sides will feel they did enough to win it. Ultimately, a draw means that bragging rights will have to be shared until the teams meet again in May.

Sunderland: Gordon - Dallku, Turner, da Silva (Ferdinand 57), McCartney - Geovanni (Evans 90), Cana, Richardson, Gilberto (Henderson 84) - Bent, Campbell
Subs not used: Fulop, Hamann, Rodrigo Mendes, Jones

Scorer: Bent (7)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique - Thygesen (Lovenkrands 45), Barton, Wilshere (Nolan 45), Jonas - Mandzukic (Duff 86), Ameobi
Subs not used: Krul, Bassong, Ryan Taylor, Carroll
Booked: Simpson, Barton

Scorer: Ameobi (50)

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 48,300

Andy Carroll scored the only goal as Newcastle scored a surprise win against title chasing Spurs.

Carroll had been surprisingly picked ahead of Shola Ameobi, who had scored in Newcastle's previous two games, but justified Sven-Goran Eriksson's faith when he scored just after the hour.

It was the Geordie striker's first goal in two months and enhanced his burgeoning reputation amongst the club.

Carroll's goal also continued an unhappy streak for Spurs at St. James' Park, with the North Londoners having now lost their last five league visits to Tyneside.

This was in contrast to their pre-match optimism. Spurs had arrived in the North East with nine wins in their previous ten and knew a further three points would increase the perception that Harry Redknapp's team could be about to mount a title challenge.

Despite this, Spurs got off to a sluggish start, with a Robbie Keane run illegally halted by Sebastien Bassong - he received a booking for his troubles - the closest they got to troubling the scoresheet.

This was particularly poor from Keane, who looked little like the player that scored a hat-trick in the revere fixture back in August.

Newcastle were little better and it took them 23 minutes to register anything resembling an opportunity.

Nevertheless, this opportunity was very close to the opening goal, with Carroll leaping to meeting Jose Enrique's cross and Gomes doing very well to tip the effort round the post.

Kevin Nolan also came close to an opener when the resulting corner was only half-cleared but he couldn't find the target with his effort.

Spurs' first real chance came after the half hour mark but was also close to an opener, with Peter Crouch flicking a long ball onto Keane and the Irish striker was denied by a firm stop from Harper.

Carroll should've done better when played through by Mario Mandzukic, but Newcastle then had an injury concern when full back Jose Enrique went down and stayed down after a robust tackle from Aaron Lennon.

The extent of the challenge left the full back with a twisted ankle, which is likely to keep him out for a month. This meant he was taken off, with Hungarian youngster Tamas Kadar bought in for his Premier League debut.

Neither side looked particularly inventive, with a wayward Benoit Assou-Ekotto thump the nearest either side came to anything resembling an opportunity at the end of the first half and for the first 15 minutes of the second.

But when a chance did come, it fell Newcastle's way and - crucially - was made the most of.

Spurs had won a corner but it was cleared by Mandzukic for Fabricio Coloccini. Newcastle's Argentine centre back opted to run with the ball, and was able to fly from the edge of his own penalty box down the right flank deep into the Spurs' half.

An expert ball across from Coloccini picked out Carroll, who ran free of the visiting defenders and finished with aplomb beyond Gomes.

It was the striker's fifth goal of the season and it heightened the sense he could become a key player for his hometown club.

This seemed to wake Spurs up, and they thought they'd equalised within six minutes of falling behind. Wilson Palacios cued up Lennon, whose cross was skilfully converted by Keane.

But the home side's advantage was maintained by the offside flag, much to the disgust of the visiting team and fans.

Being denied the equaliser seemed to take the sting out of the Spurs attack, much to the pleasure of a Newcastle team still holding the lead and allowed to contain any time Spurs got vaguely near the Newcastle penalty box.

Indeed, aside from a few necessary interventions by Newcastle defenders, Spurs barely troubled Harper.

With two minutes to go, the points were almost wrapped up by the home side. Carroll's firm delivery picked out Ryan Taylor, but the right winger was skilfully denied by Gomes.

Spurs threw players forward in search of an equaliser but every attempt was repelled and they sunk to a disappointing defeat. Redknapp will be particularly unhappy at how little Newcastle's goal was troubled during the 90 minutes, and will seek improvement during a tricky-looking spell of upcoming fixtures.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique (Kadar 45) - Ryan Taylor, Barton, Nolan, Lovenkrands (Jonas 70) - Mandzukic (Smith 86), Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Edgar, Duff, Ameobi
Booked: Simpson, Bassong, Kadar

Scorer: Carroll (60)

Spurs: Gomes - Corluka, Dawson (Woodgate 66), King, Assou-Ekotto - Lennon, Jenas, Palacios, Modric (Naughton 72) - Keane, Crouch (Pavyluchenko 77)
Subs not used: Cudicini, Hutton, Bale, Kranjcar
Booked: Palacios, Jenas, Woodgate

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 51,889

Burnley substitute Steven Thompson scored the only goal as the Clarets beat Newcastle at Turf Moor.

The striker is transfer listed and was only in the squad following an injury to Jay Rodriguez, but he came off the bench to make the most of his opportunity when he took advantage of poor Newcastle defending to bag the winner.

It was a particularly frustrating afternoon for the visitors, who wasted several chances to get the win and ultimately left Lancashire empty handed, much to the frustration of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Newcastle have only won once on the road this season - that result coming some 35 miles down the road in Wigan - and they arrived hoping to rectify this unimpressive statistic.

They had the first chance early on when Jonas Gutierrez rose to meet Damien Duff's delivery only to get his header off target.

Steven Fletcher had the Claret's first opportunity when the Scottish striker rose to meet a cross only to fluff his lines, but it was Newcastle who got the first shot on target.

A firm pass from Jack Wilshere picked out Duff, but the former Blackburn winger was denied by Marian Kelemen, much to the amusement of the home supporters.

Kelemen was definitely the busier keeper, with the Slovakian international called upon to make another save to deny Andy Carroll, and then another to make a firm save to deny Danny Simpson.

Steve Harper had been tested for the first time a few moments earlier to deny Chris Eagles, and the former Manchester United winger then picked up another opportunity but was nowhere near finding the project.

Former Newcastle teammate Stephen Caldwell was then required to make his presence felt when his firm tackle denied the run of Carroll, and Burnley then tried another effort only for Fletcher's effort to go wide via a deflection off Sebastien Bassong.

Newcastle's top scorer Mario Mandzukic had been quiet in the first half but was very close to netting the opening goal, when he reached Carroll's lay-off only to find the wrong side of the net.

The visitors continued in the same vein at the beginning of the second half, with Carroll seeing a shot go wide off Graham Alexander. The Newcastle striker was fuming as he felt Alexander had bought him down illegally but the referee was not interested in his appeals.

Burnley had a good opportunity to take the lead out of seemingly nothing when David Nugent tried the half-volley when it had seemed Fletcher's cross was uncontrollable. The one-time England international's strike was a firm effort that Harper did equally well to block.

The Magpies were close to bagging the opening goal when Jonas got in behind the defence only for his effort to be punched clear by Kelemen.

A powerful strike from Nugent went wide, but it was the last thing of note from the striker before he was subbed off having failed to run off an earlier knock. He was replaced by Thompson, with Owen Coyle deploying his third and final sub.

Newcastle were close just after the hour when Mandzukic's firm deliver picked out Carroll, but the striker couldn't keep his effort down.

Jonas saw an effort deflected off Tryone Mears into the hand of Kelemen as Newcastle ramped up their efforts to hit the opening goal, but they were duly hit by the sucker punch with 23 minutes to go.

Alexander cued up substitute Chris McCann, who evaded Ryan Taylor before hitting the ball up to Fletcher. The striker's first time ball rebounded off Fabricio Coloccini into the path of Thompson, and the newly arrived striker ran through before finishing powerfully beyond Harper.

Newcastle almost came back instantaneously through the unlikely source of Bassong, who saw his free-kick narrowly go over.

But Burnley did well to cope with some underwhelming Newcastle attacking, easily restricting their ability to get near the goal.

Their hope of preserving their advantage was aided by some poor Newcastle finishing, with Mandzukic seeing his strike land in the stand behind the goal.

Much closer was Taylor, who sent a good free-kick narrowly past the wrong side of the post, but the quality of Newcastle's finishing was more accurately represented when Coloccini sent an awful header high into the stand.

Substitute Shola Ameobi had two efforts to seal a share of the points, but he missed one long range effort and one closer effort from Danny Guthrie's cross, as Newcastle began to run out of ideas.

In the end, Burnley held on and secured a fine victory built on defensive solidity. They were certainly helped by some hideously profligate Newcastle finishing, with most of the Tynesiders' efforts finding the goalkeeper or the back of the stand rather than the net, and Sven-Goran Eriksson will be hopeful of improvement.

Burnley: Kelemen - Mears, Caldwell, Bikey, Jordan - Paterson (Blake 45), McDonald (McCann 45), Alexander, Eagles - Nugent (Thompson 63), Fletcher
Subs not used: Jensen, Easton, Eckersley, Guerrero
Booked: Bikey, Caldwell, Alexander

Scorer: Thompson (67)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson (Guthrie 69), Coloccini, Bassong, Kadar - Jonas, Barton, Wilshere, Duff (Ryan Taylor 65) - Mandzukic, Carroll (Ameobi 65)
Subs not used: Krul, Edgar, Nolan, Thygesen
Booked: Coloccini

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 22,516

Nile Ranger's first senior goal helped an unconvincing Newcastle squeeze past Colchester and into the FA Cup Fourth Round.

A closer game than many had anticipated between the Premier League Magpies and the League One U's eventually swung the home side's way when Ranger scored just shy of the hour.

Shola Ameobi rubber-stamped Newcastle's progress with a late second goal, although Terrell Forbes scored a late goal to ensure the U's returned to Essex with a goal to their name.

The odds had been stacked in favour of the home side, despite Colchester being in form in the League One promotion race. The in-form visitors also managed the game's first opportunity when David Fox scooped a drive towards goal that narrowly went over.

Newcastle's first chance came from a set-piece, when Steven Taylor was picked out by Damien Duff's corner only to head just over.

Ranger was unable to take an opportunity when presented to him, but Newcastle did come closer moments later when Ben Williams did well to push away Mikkel Thygesen's strike.

Colchester then had a chance to stun St. James' Park moments later when Clive Platt received the ball and it took a firm stop from young goalkeeper Tim Krul to keep the trike out.

A mazy run from Duff almost yielded a goal but the winger was unable to hit the ball on target, while Steven Taylor was similarly unable to find the target as Newcastle increased the pressure.

Ranger was much closer, with his powerful effort well deflected onto the bar by U's keeper Williams.

The woodwork was similarly rattled towards the end of the half when Thygesen's attempted cross almost drifted in, with the crossbar denying the Danish winger.

Danny Guthrie was close to getting a first half goal for Newcastle, but couldn't make the most of two opportunities presented to him.

Colchester were able to keep Newcastle quiet early on in the second half, but the U's couldn't hold out and conceded the opening goal twelve minutes into the second half.

Ryan Taylor's ball inside was collected by Alan Smith, who cued up Guthrie. The midfielder's ball forward wasn't cut out by Paul Reid and was picked up by Ranger, who saw an effort rebound off the post and into the goal.

It was a moment to savour for the youngster, who is hoping for an enlarged role in the Newcastle first team as the season continues.

Ranger also had two efforts to double his and his team's tally, but neither effort he managed was on target.

Despite their profligacy, Newcastle looked the more likely to score again and almost got it when Ameobi saw a firm strike expertly tipped clear by Williams.

Colchester almost stunned St. James' Park with six minute to play when Kemal Izzett was given a golden opportunity to equalise. But the midfielder wasted it and within moments Newcastle made their passage to Round Four secure.

Izzett started the move that led to the end of his team's opportunity for victory when he fouled Smith, which saw him collected a yellow card. Guthrie sent in the resulting free-kick, and his delivery picked out Ameobi for a crisp header into the bottom corner to grab his team's second goal.

Perhaps with this in mind, Newcastle let their guard down and Colchester soon got a goal back to make injury time a little nervy for the home faithful.

It was a clever goal as well, with Alan Maybury's free-kick hit out to Kevin Lisbie on the edge of the area, and his direct pass was headed in by Forbes in front of the keeper's left hand post after he had got ahead of two Newcastle defenders.

But it was not enough to deny Newcastle progression, and although it was not a convincing display, Sven-Goran Eriksson will be pleased to progress into the hat for Round Four.

Newcastle: Krul - Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Edgar, Kadar (Tozer 77) - Thygesen, Smith, Guthrie (Lovenkrands 85), Duff (LuaLua 77) - Ranger, Ameobi
Subs not used: Harper, Bassong, Wilshere, Mandzukic
Booked: Ranger

Scorer: Ranger (57), Ameobi (84)

Colchester: Williams - Maybury, Reid, Baldwin, Forbes, Lockwood (Perkins 45) - Izzett, Fox (Beevers 82), Wordsworth (White 58) - Platt, Lisbie
Subs not used: Cousins, Okuonghae, Heath, Thomas

Scorer: Forbes (90)

Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 36,584

Early goals from Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel helped Liverpool on their way to a simple win at Newcastle.

Torres put the travelling Reds ahead inside 120 seconds and was joined on the scoresheet by Babel, which put Liverpool 2-0 up inside the opening ten minutes.

Babel scored a second goal with 21 minutes to go, as Liverpool's victory in their game in hand proved to be a vital three points in their aim to get into the Champions League places.

The result was a much needed boost for Liverpool's top four aim, after dropped points against Fulham and Arsenal over the Christmas period had left them behind in the race for the spots.

They were on their way to victory in next to no time. Liverpool advance through the pitch with Javier Mascherano, who played the ball out wide to Dirk Kuyt. The Dutchman then hit the ball up to Torres, who evaded poor marking to slot home.

Joey Barton led Newcastle protests that the Spanish striker had wandered offside in his eagerness to score, but it was to no avail.

Liverpool almost made it two goals in seven minutes but Martin Skrtel couldn't get his strike under the bar. However, the visitors would soon have two goals in nine minutes.

Once again, the move began when Mascherano found Kuyt, but this time the Dutchman played in Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool captain played a well worked ball out to Babel, who ran free of the defence to slot home and give Liverpool their second goal.

Babel had scored on both of his last visits to St. James' Park and this goal ensured his team looked set for another cruise on Tyneside.

It could have been worse before the 20 minute mark was up. A brilliant save from Steve Harper kept out Gerrard's flying free-kick, and the Newcastle goalkeeper was also on hand to deny Kuyt.

It took 23 minutes for Newcastle to create a chance, which came when Steven Taylor was first to Tamas Kadar's long throw but unable to keep his effort down.

Liverpool resumed to being on the front foot. Gerrard hit a powerful strike that flew high into the stand behind the goal, while Daniel Agger was also close when his free-kick bounced a fraction past the post.

A miserable first half for the home team was compounded when Andy Carroll limped off the pitch with an elbow injury after a collision.

His replacement was Peter Lovenkrands, and the Danish striker almost got Newcastle back into the contest moments later when his effort was well saved by Pepe Reina.

Newcastle then thought they should have had a penalty when Kevin Nolan went down in the box after a challenge by Agger, but referee Andre Marriner instead felt the former Bolton player had tried to con him and duly gave him a yellow for diving.

Despite this late sting, Nolan came close to giving Newcastle a way back early in the second half when his free-kick landed just wide.

Jonas Gutierrez also came close as Newcastle had a rare spell of opportunities, but Liverpool came close to putting the contest to bed when Gerrard left fly with a good strike that only a magnificent Harper stop was able to keep out.

Substitute Jamie Carragher was also close with a strike when his powerful effort narrowly flew over.

Liverpool then put the contest to bed some 21 minutes from time, thanks to some defensive errors. Glen Johnson's firm delivery was met by an awkwardly wayward header from Fabricio Coloccini, which presented Babel with an open goal.

The Dutch winger needed no second invitation to find the net, grabbing his second and Liverpool's third in the process.

Newcastle almost responded immediately. Reina had to make a good stop when Mario Mandzukic was played clean through, but Liverpool almost made it four when Torres' ambitious effort landed narrowly over the top.

Coloccini almost atoned for his miserable defending when he was just over from a corner, but it was not enough for Newcastle.

They were distinctly second best as they were mercilessly torn to pieces by the visitors, who reinforced their Champions League credentials with a resounding success.

Newcastle: Harper - Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Kadar (Edgar 77) - Jonas, Barton, Nolan, Duff (Thygesen 66) - Mandzukic, Carroll (Lovenkrands 35)
Subs not used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Ameobi
Booked: Duff, Barton, Nolan

Liverpool: Reina - Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Dossena (Carragher 45) - Mascherano, Lucas - Kuyt, Gerrard (Jadson 74), Babel (Riera 74) - Torres
Subs not used: Cavaliera, Aquliani, Benayoun, N'Gog
Booked: Mascherano

Scorer: Torres (2), Babel (9, 69)

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 50,859

A spectacular strike from Shola Ameobi was enough for Newcastle to beat ten man Stoke.

Stoke's task of picking up their first away league win of the season was made harder when former Newcastle defender Abdoulaye Faye was controversially sent off after just 17 minutes for a lunge on Kevin Nolan.

Newcastle took advantage with the opening goal through Ameobi and in the end, one goal proved to be enough against a poor Stoke side.

The result was just what Sven-Goran Eriksson's side needed after their home defeat by Liverpool on Wednesday, although things might have gone differently had Stoke taken one of two chances they got in the opening five minutes.

Faye, who scored in both games between these two sides last season, picked up the ball in the middle of the park and opted to lash a drive that swerved through the air before colliding with the post.

James Beattie almost grabbed a strike as well, but the one-time England international was unable to get his free-kick on target.

Newcastle's first chance saw Mario Mandzukic denied by former Sunderland keeper Thomas Sorensen, but Stoke were on top and frustrated by some solid defending.

The game then went in Newcastle's favour after Stoke were reduced to ten men.

Faye dived in late and two-footed on Nolan, although it did look as though the Newcastle midfielder made the most of his fall. Nevertheless, the referee felt the Stoke skipper had dived in recklessly and dismissed him from the playing field.

Newcastle almost took the lead instantly, but Mandzukic's header from Mikkel Thygesen's corner wouldn't go on target. Nevertheless, they would be ahead soon enough.

A firm pass forward from Nolan went out to the edge of the penalty area for Thygesen, whose attempt to cross it was blocked by Danny Higginbotham. But the block fell perfectly for Ameobi, who lashed home a superb volley from 20 yards into the top corner.

It was Ameobi's first home goal of the season for Newcastle, and the hometown striker sent the home crowd into raptures.

Higginbotham almost made another contribution to the scoresheet when he was first to Liam Lawrence's half-cleared cross but his effort narrowly flew into the stands.

Newcastle's best chances for a second before half-time were both aerial efforts, but Ameobi and Thygesen were both unable to direct their efforts on target and they entered the break one goal up.

The Toon Army were hopeful of sealing the game up with another goal, and were close very quickly into the half when Ameobi was first to Steven Taylor's cross but couldn't keep his effort down.

The Newcastle players then felt they should have had a penalty for a challenge by Ryan Shawcross on Ameobi and although it looked like they may have had a case, the referee instead awarded a corner, which Newcastle duly wasted.


They finally managed a chance on target shortly after, when Mandzukic received Steven Taylor's lay-off but could only fire straight at Sorensen.

As a quiet half progressed, Mandzukic wasted another chance to put the game to bed as he continued his recent goal drought, while the unlikely source of David Edgar almost wrapped up the points when his effort from Ryan Taylor's corner was held by Sorensen.

Stoke then almost stunned the Magpies when they had their first shot on target seven minutes from time. However, Harper's fine save kept out Tuncay's strike.

But their chance had been and gone, and Newcastle secured another three points as they seek to consolidate their midtable placing.

Its also a result that heightens the enveloping gloom for Tony Pulis' Potters, who are now simply seeking to defy the avoids and survive.

Newcastle: Harper - Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Edgar, Bassong - Thygesen (Ryan Taylor 64), Barton, Nolan, Jonas (Smith 86) - Mandzukic (Guthrie 77), Ameobi
Subs not used: Krul, Kadar, Duff, Lovenkrands

Scorer: Ameobi (25)

Stoke: Sorensen - Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Higginbotham (Griffin 56) - Lawrence (Kitson 61), Faye, Fae, Pugh - Beattie (Damia 61), Tuncay
Subs not used: Walker, Collins, Dickinson, Etherington
Booked: Higginbotham, Kitson
Sent Off: Faye (17)

Referee: Stuart Atwell
Attendance: 44,543

Newcastle have confirmed they have extended Danny Simpson's loan with the club.

The full back, who turned 23 this month, was on loan at Newcastle from Manchester United and his contract had been due to expire during the month.

But the club have confirmed the full back will remain at St. James' Park for the remainder of the season, with an option to buy the player for a nominal fee of one million pounds during his contract.

Simpson has so far been first choice right back this season under Sven-Goran Eriksson, making 18 starts for the club.

He is yet to play in 2010 after spraining his wrist during Newcastle's game at Burnley, but he is expected back in the squad for next weekend's trip to Wolves.

Wolves secured a comprehensive victory over Newcastle on a day when both sides lost their discipline.

Both teams finished with ten men, while referee Steve Bennett would eventually showed 14 yellow cards, including second yellow cards for Joey Barton and Karl Henry.

It is likely both teams will face FA charges for failing to control their players, while the result will increase speculation Newcastle have problems controlling their players after their fifth red card of the campaign.

On the pitch, Martin Olsson's first Wolves goal and an Andy Keogh strike gave Wolves a two goal lead. A late David Jones penalty then made the result secure, and was Wolves' joint-best result of the league season.

Newcastle arrived with neither of their principal strikeforce playing, with Andy Carroll injured and Mario Mandzukic relegated to the bench after recent poor form.

Despite this, the Magpies had the game's first chances, with Kevin Nolan seeing a long range effort go wide and Wayne Hennessey then made a decent stop to deny Shola Ameobi.

A feisty game saw the two teams accumulate more cards than chances, with Stefan Maierhofer, Greg Halford and Karl Henry all earning quick bookings for the home team shortly after Tamas Kadar had been cautioned for the visitors.

What chances that were being accumulated went Newcastle's way, with Nolan seeing a free-kick just go wide. But despite this, Wolves' first opportunity yielded the game's first goal.

A quick Halford throw-in was passed on by Nenad Milijas back to the former Reading and Sunderland full-back. His cross picked out Olsson, who rose free of Danny Simpson to bury a powerful header beyond Steve Harper.

It was the Swedish full-back's first goal since his summer transfer to Molineux from Blackburn, and the joy was there for all to see.

Stung by this, Newcastle searched for an equaliser and they almost got it when Ameobi collected the ball and sent in a powerful volley that Hennessey just kept out of goal.

The Welsh goalkeeper was also required to deny a firm volley from Ameobi, but having rode out the pressure, Wolves began searching for their second.

Milijas saw one effort held by Harper before Christophe Berra headed over, but five minutes before half-time, Mick McCarthy and his team were celebrating their second.

Steven Taylor allowed himself to be caught in possession by Henry, who played a marvelous ball for Keogh to run onto. The striker was soon one-on-one with Harper, and buried with aplomb to secure their opening goal.

Newcastle were still creating chances. Hennessey made a simple stop to deny Peter Lovenkrands and was then called upon again, where he made a good stop to deny Ameobi.

The second half however saw the pendulum swing in the other direction. Harper had to make a very good save to deny Halford's free-kick, while Milijas saw an attempted curler land just wide.

Milijas was pulling the strings but saw a tame effort easily held by Harper, but Wolves looked comfortable and soon enough their position was aided when Newcastle were reduced to ten men.

Barton was already on a booking after a foul on Keogh, and he duly earned his dismissal with just over 25 minutes to go when he made an unnecessary tackle on Stefan Maierhofer. This second offence was enough to earn the combative midfielder his marching orders.

Despite this, Newcastle were still earning silly yellow cards, with Steven Taylor, Simpson and Danny Guthrie all earning bookings. But it was Wolves who would have the next player to earn two yellows.

Henry had taken few risks after his first half booking, but the combative midfielder fouled Ameobi illegally, which duly saw him handed a second yellow card and his own dismissal.

Undeterred, Wolves soon made it three goals as well as three points. It bought more disciplinary misery for Newcastle, with Fabricio Coloccini fouling Michael Kightly. Coloccini was booked, meaning all four of Newcastle's starting defence earned bookings.

Substitute Jones had only been on the field for five minutes but showed perfect poise and composure to score.

Newcastle almost had the final word soon after, but Jonas could only head over when seemingly nailed on to find the net and Guthrie was also unable to find the target.

The visitor's day was summed up when Ameobi somehow managed to fire over when it was harder to miss.

It bought to an end a miserable day for Newcastle, with the team losing all disciplinary composure as they fell to pieces in the Black Country against a Wolves side that look like they're staying up, and doing well to gain vital results like these.

Wolves: Hennessey - Halford, Mancienne, Berra, Olsson (Castillo 75) - Kightly (Hunt 87), Milijas, Henry, Surman - Maierhofer (Jones 75), Keogh
Subs not used: Hahnemann, Zubar, Jarvis, Ebanks-Blake
Booked: Halford, Milijas, Henry, Maierhofer
Sent Off: Henry (75)

Scorer: Olsson (24), Keogh (40), Jones (pen 80)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Kadar (Bassong 45) - Thygesen (Smith 63), Barton, Nolan (Guthrie 45), Jonas - Ameobi, Lovenkrands
Subs not used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Duff, Mandzukic
Booked: Simpson, Steven Taylor, Kadar, Coloccini, Barton, Guthrie
Sent Off: Barton (62)

Referee: Steve Bennett
Attendance: 28,183

Newcastle manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has said he is frustrated the club's takeover is halting his transfer market plans.

The Swede, 63 next month, has said the players are happy to cope during the uncertainty, but that he is annoyed the slow pace is hampering his transfer market plans.

Eriksson said: "As players and manager, we have to keep going. We do not mind this because we cannot let it dictate how we do things on the pitch.

"On a day-to-day business its fine. Its more annoying in the terms of the transfer market, however. We have transfer targets and we were hoping to make progress on them, but now we cannot because the terms of the takeover mean we cannot make purchases.

"Its a very annoying procedure but we'll just have to get on with it."

It is believed Eriksson was referring to the breakdown of a move for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson, after takeover talk halted plans to bring the winger to St. James' Park.

Johnson looks set to move to Championship leaders Sheffield United later this week.

Eriksson was speaking ahead of Newcastle's trip to Milton Keynes Dons in the FA Cup Fourth Round tomorrow, and denied his team had a discipline problem but conceded changes might have to be made.

He said: "People are a bit eager to say that we do not believe in discipline and are too happy to accumulate bookings.

"I disagree. Players don't go out seeking to earn cards but we just keep getting them. I'm not sure what it is and I think it is something for all of us here to consider tweaking for the remaining matches of the season."

Wow, very detailed infomation. Nice to see, whats the current league table?

Thank you. Gotta love writing that way

Erm, next league table I photographed is about four league games down the line, but our position is still in the same area as the last table I posted.

Mario Mandzukic and Steven Taylor were among the goals as Newcastle beat MK Dons in the FA Cup Fourth Round.

It wasn't all plain sailing for the Premier League club, however, after Aaron Wilbraham surprised the North East club when he scored to cancel out Damien Duff's opener.

But Newcastle soon found a higher gear. Mandzukic scored his first goal in a month to re-establish their lead, before a Willy Gueret own goal and Steven Taylor's first goal of the season gave the scoreline a bit of polish.

The final score was perhaps a little harsh on the League One strugglers, who did well to keep pace with their high-flying opponents for so long, but ultimately the visitor's Premier League class told.

Newcastle named a surprisingly strong side for the contest, which included top scorer Mandzukic, and the Croatian had two early chances to give his side an early goal. His first was wayward but his second was almost home, with a powerful effort clattering the crossbar.

Ryan Taylor was unable to find the target with a trike from outside the area, but MK Dons did have some chances. However Jude Stirling and Sam Baldock couldn't find the target with their attempts.

Mandzukic was yet again unable to get a strike on target and it took 22 minutes for Gueret to be troubled by a strike, with the Dons keeper making a smooth stop to deny Ryan Taylor's header.

The hosts almost took a surprise lead when Jason Puncheon was given a free header but couldn't get it anywhere near the target, and shortly afterwards it was the visitors who grabbed the opening goal.

The ball was worked forward to Mandzukic, who laid the ball off for Andy Carroll. The striker advanced before sending a pass that just evaded Sean O'Hanlon and fell for Duff. Amid a hint of offside, the Irish winger's powerful strike zipped into the bottom corner.

Agitated by the fact the goal stood, MK almost grabbed an instant equaliser when Tim Krul made a flying stop to deny Baldock.

Peter Leven also sent a curling strike over the top as the home side searched for a way back into the contest, but Newcastle should've entered half-time 2-0 up when Mandzukic and Alan Smith contrived to waste good chances.

Baldock was inches away from levelling late on in the half when he headed over the top, while Steven Taylor saw a similar header go over.

Closer was Mandzukic, with the Croatian found by Carroll and finding a powerful effort kept out by Gueret.

Then, less than ten minutes into the half, it was MK Dons who surprised everyone - not least themselves - by getting an equalising goal.

Jermaine Easter played the ball back to Stirling, who decided to send in a cross from deep. Steven Taylor missed his interception, which allowed the ball to fall kindly for Wilbraham, and the journeyman striker hit his effort home to send the stadium:mk crowd into raptures.

The home crowd could have been sent into further ecstasy when Luke Howell was first to David Edgar's miscued clearance but couldn't get his effort on target.

But MK couldn't get a second goal. Instead, it was the visitors who grabbed their second strike ten minutes after conceding the advantage.

Some neat passing in the middle of the park allowed Kevin Nolan to cue up Mandzukic, who passed it out to Carroll. The Geordie returned the ball to Mandzukic, who had a few yards on both MK Dons' centre backs that allowed him to run through on goal and tuck the ball home.

Nolan was almost in with a goal of his own when he picked up Smith's pass, but his attempt to find a first goal of the season was denied by Gueret.

Baldock and Carroll both missed chances at either end, but the Tynesiders came close to putting the game to bed when Gueret was able to push away a strike from Newcastle sub Jonas Gutierrez.

However, MK Dons' French goalkeeper will have less fondness for the own goal he then scored. It was an unfortunate one for the goalkeeper, who was in the wrong place when Jonas' header from Jack Wilshere's cross hit the bar.

Nevertheless, it was a third goal for Newcastle and more or less rubber stamped confirmation the Geordies would be in Round Five.

Jonas almost made it four when he met Carroll's cross but narrowly headed over, but Newcastle did have four in second-half injury time.

Jonas saw a free-kick deflected out for a corner, and substitute Peter Lovenkrands saw his corner turned home by Steven Taylor. It was the defender's first goal of the campaign and he was delighted to be off the mark.

Newcastle will feel the scoreline ultimately reflected their statistical superiority, and despite a plucky effort from the League One hosts, they will be in Round Five as they hope to reach their first FA Cup Final since 1999.

MK Dons: Gueret - Stirling, O'Hanlon, Doumbe (Swailes 45), Lewington - Easter, Howell, Leven (Gleeson 81), Puncheon (McCracken 45) - Baldock, Wilbraham
Subs not used: Searle, King, Powell, Ibehre

Scorer: Wilbraham (54)

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Edgar, Kadar - Ryan Taylor (Wilshere 64), Smith (Lovenkrands 86), Nolan, Duff (Jonas 64) - Mandzukic, Carroll
Subs not used: Harper, Coloccini, Tozer, Ameobi
Booked: Kadar, Smith, Nolan

Scorer: Duff (28), Mandzukic (64), Gueret (og 85), Steven Taylor (90+1)

Referee: Lee Probert
Attendance: 17,646

Ten man Newcastle secured an impressive victory over Man City to pent a dent in the visitor's title ambitions.

Mikkel Thygesen scored very early on to give Newcastle the advantage on their expensively assembled guests.

Jonas Gutierrez then scored a second, which came after Robinho had a goal disallowed.

Newcastle had to play the last 20 minutes with ten men after Fabricio Coloccini was sent off, but the Magpies did well to hold on and secure a fine victory over the Citizens.

This was not the response Mark Hughes wanted to City's FA Cup defeat by Liverpool at the weekend, and puts a dent in their ambition to get ahead of Spurs, Chelsea and their Manchester neighbours in the race for the title.

The hope of three points was damaged by an early strike for the Geordies. Jonas picked out Shola Ameobi, who was able to work the ball inside for Mario Mandzukic. The Croatian striker laid the ball off for Thygesen, and the Danish winger lashed his strike beyond Sebastien Viera to open the scoring.

It was a good strike from the midfielder, who hasn't had the smoothest of introductions to English football.

Man City almost responded immediately. Stephen Ireland's ball forward picked out Robinho, who ran free and finished beyond Steve Harper. However, the Brazilian star was denied by the offside flag and Newcastle retained their advantage.

Newcastle had a great chance to make it two, when Mandzukic was sent clear by Ameobi and tried to let fly. A superb strike shook the crossbar but failed to hit the net, thus meaning Newcastle's advantage remained just the one goal.

Steven Taylor was also close to the second goal when the defender was first to Thygesen's swinging free-kick but his header was a wasted opportunity as it flew high and wide.

But seven minutes from the break, Newcastle did have the second goal. A slick break down the right flank saw Danny Simpson cue up Thygesen, who got around Wayne Bridge before flying down the right hand flank. He got into a crossing position and his inviting delivery just missed Ameobi but fell perfectly for Jonas, who lashed the ball into the back of the net.

The Argentine winger's goal was his seventh goal of an impressive second campaign in England.

City were close to a goal back late on in the first half, but Emmanuel Adebayor's effort was wasted.

Former Man United midfielder Alan Smith saw a poor effort go off target but City were very close to a first half goal back, when a powerful strike from Ireland was well saved by Harper.

Harper was also required to make a good stop in the early stages of the second half when Robinho was allowed to strike one.

City keeper Viera was then called upon to keep his team in it, with the Uruguayan making a superb stop to deny Mandzukic's flying strike, while the Croatian striker then saw a volley plop wide of the mark.

Ireland had a poor effort go wide, while the surprise source of Simpson was also unable to hit the target.

Despite there being no obvious injury, City opted to sub their goalkeeper and Stuart Taylor was immediately called into action to make a good save to deny Jonas.

Harper had to make a simple stop to deny Robinho, but the Newcastle team were soon under the cosh when the Tynesiders had a player sent off with 20 minutes to go.

City sub Stevan Jovetic was played through and got around Coloccini, and the Argentine defender opted to try to stop the striker by pulling on his opponent's shirt.

Referee Alan Wiley was not impressed by this tactic, and the centre back was dismissed from play.

Despite their man advantage, Man City created surprisingly little in the way of opportunities. Bridge wasted the free-kick awarded after Coloccini's foul, while Shaun Wright-Phillips rose to meet a cross only to head the ball wide of the mark.

City's day was summed up when Robinho hit a poor effort into the crowd, and an awful performance in the North East was reflected by the fact they went home pointless.

By contrast, it was an impressive result for Sven-Goran Eriksson's team, who provided one of their best displays of the season so far in spite of yet another red card, and they will look to build on this as the season enters the decisive portion.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Edgar - Thygesen, Smith, Nolan (Guthrie 79), Jonas - Mandzukic (Tozer 71), Ameobi (Ryan Taylor 90)
Subs not used: Krul, Wilshere, Carroll, Lovenkrands
Booked: Smith
Sent Off: Coloccini (70)

Scorer: Thygesen (6), Jonas (38)

Man City: Viera (Stuart Taylor 56) - Onuoha, Richards, Lescott, Bridge - Wright-Phillips, Ireland, de Jong (Zabaleta 67), Barry - Robinho, Adebayor (Jovetic 67)
Subs not used: Kompany, McGivern, Sylvinho, Aimar
Booked: Richards

Referee: Alan Wiley
Attendance: 52,387

Fabrice Muamba and Kevin Davies scored in a remarkable victory for nine man Bolton at Newcastle.

Bolton had been reduced to ten men late on in the first half when Gavin McCann received a sending off after two bookable offences.

But Bolton shocked the home crowd when Muamba struck home moments after being bought on at half-time by Gary Megson.

Newcastle battered the Bolton goal throughout and thought they would get reward when a bizarre substitute error that saw a player subbed off less than 3 minutes after coming on meant Matty Taylor limped off, reducing the side to nine men.

But not only did Bolton ride out the storm, they then sealed victory late on in the clash when Davies wrapped up the points in second half injury time.

Newcastle had been on the front foot from the word go. Before the fifteen minute mark, Jussi Jaaskelainen had to make two vital stops to deny Steven Taylor and Mario Mandzukic, while ex-Trotter Kevin Nolan wasted a drive from the edge of the penalty box.

Although they weren't generating opportunities with the same frequency, the home side still had the better opportunities of the clash. Joey Barton saw a free-kick deflected wide and Andy Carroll should've scored when he saw a crisp half-volley held by Jaaskelainen, although the offside flag would've denied the striker anyway.

Carroll saw another two headers sail over the top of the goal when well placed, while Barton was similarly unable to hit the target with his effort.

Newcastle continued in the ascendancy but their accuracy was letting them down. Carroll rose to meet a cross only to see a header skim the top of the crossbar, while Mario Mandzukic was well found by Danny Simpson only to hit the strike narrowly off target.

But the Magpies ambition of gaining the opening goal were bolstered when Bolton were reduced to ten men. McCann had received a controversial first booking when he was ruled to have tripped up Barton when the Newcastle midfielder seemed to dive. But there was little disputing his second booking just before half-time, when the midfielder tripped up Simpson.

The ruling meant the Trotters would face the second half with ten men, and they almost failed to make it to half-time level when Carroll narrowly put the ball off target.

Bolton's problems appeared to continue when they initally bought on Dorian Dervite shortly after the sending off, before they opted to replace him immediately with Muamba when Gary Megson decided to change their tactics.

But, bizarrely, Megson's meddling generated instant rewards. Matty Taylor hit the ball inside for Sean Davis, who placed a firm ball forward to Muamba. The former Arsenal trainee ran straight through the middle of the park from Newcastle defenders and midfielders before firing a fine drive beyond Steve Harper.

Newcastle's first chance of a response was a Simpson drive lashed into the top of the stand, but they came much closer moments later when Jaaskelainen made a firm stop to deny the full back's drive after he had been set up by Mandzukic.

Bolton had deployed all three subs by this point, and their cause was weakened as they had a third player sent off when Matty Taylor failed to get up after a challenge by Mikkel Thygesen.

Newcastle threw on Shola Ameobi and Peter Lovenkrands but it was Bolton who created the next opportunity, which came when Chris Basham saw a free-kick tipped clear by Harper's flying stop.

Basham was involved in the action at the other end, when the midfielder was ruled not to have fouled Thygesen despite vocal Newcastle protests.

The Toon felt they should have had a penalty again when Basham tackled Ameobi, but this was after the Nigerian striker had seen a fine effort well stopped by Jaaskelainen.

Newcastle players were then unhappy with another penalty appeal rejection, this time for a tackle by Gretar Steinsson.

Ameobi then should've done better when he received Steven Taylor's knockdown only to fire wildly over the top.

Similarly poor with his chance was Lovenkrands, who was easily outmuscled by former Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien. The Dane's penalty appeals were rejected for the fourth time, while the next attack saw Jaaskelainen making a firm stop to deny Jonas Gutierrez.

Newcastle were still desperately trying to find the equaliser. Lovenkrands wasted his when he met Barton's delivery, while a magnificent solo run from Jonas could only yield a wasted strike.

But the home fans began to lose faith, and exasperated cries met the move when Mandzukic could only head David Edgar's drive went into the stands.

It got worse for Newcastle deep into injury time when Bolton grabbed a second goal to secure the points.

A long free-kick from the back by Basham was flicked on by Muamba to Davies, who had tried to hit the ball out wide but could only hit Danny Guthrie. Luckily for the Bolton striker, it fell back to him.

He then decided to lash a powerful first time drive that flew into the top corner beyond Harper, which secured the three points.

This was the end of the game as far as the two teams were concerned. Newcastle will remark that their awful finishing cost them the three points against nine men, but Bolton will not care one jot as they secured a fine away day victory and all with nine men.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Edgar, Jose Enrique (Guthrie 79) - Thygesen, Barton, Nolan (Ameobi 59), Jonas - Mandzukic, Carroll (Lovenkrands 59)
Subs not used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Wilshere
Booked: Thygesen, Barton

Bolton: Jaaskelainen - Steinsson, O'Brien, Radzkov (Dervite 45 (Muamba 45)) , Robinson - Chung-Yong (Riga 45), McCann, Davis, Basham, Taylor - Davies
Subs not used: Al-Habsi, Hunt, Ricketts, Samuel
Booked: McCann
Sent Off: McCann (45)

Scorer: Muamba (46), Davies (90+3)

Referee: Dean Coventry
Attendance: 52,387

Mario Mandzukic scored a late winner as Newcastle edged out Fulham in a five goal encounter at Craven Cottage.

Diomansy Kamara had put the Cottagers in front inside 11 minutes, but Newcastle led at half-time through Jack Wilshere's first goal for the club and then through Mandzukic.

Andy Johnson's second-half equaliser had looked to have ensured the points would be shared, but Mandzukic's late strike meant the three points would be won by the North East side.

It was an unlucky result for Fulham in an even game by the side of the Thames, but Newcastle will not care one jot.

The home fans almost had something to cheer early on. A poor clearance from David Edgar meant Paul Konchesky's cross was diverted to Erik Nevland, who fired wide.

The Magpies almost had an early strike of their own to cheer, but Damien Duff couldn't make the most of his free-kick, and they fell behind shortly after.

Jonathan Greening picked up the ball in the middle of the park and hit the ball out wide to Zoltan Gera, whose header back was flicked on by Danny Murphy to Stephen Kelly. Kelly's cross picked out Kamara, who was left a free-header by inattentive marking from Danny Simpson, and the Senegalese winger saw his firm header land in the back of the net.

Fulham lost Konchesky to injury but almost got a second goal halfway through the half when Kamara was allowed to run with the ball, but his strike couldn't find the target.

It would prove costly as Newcastle equalised moments later. The visitors were awarded a debatable free-kick for a foul by Brede Hangeland, and Joey Barton's swerving effort was beaten away by a fine Mark Schwarzer stop.

Unfortunately for the Australian, it fell kindly for a queue of four Newcastle players and any one touch would strike it home. At the front of the queue was Wilshere, and the Arsenal loanee scored his first goal for the club.

Straight from Fulham's kick-off, Newcastle turned it around. Greening was picked off by Barton, whose tackle prodded the ball forward for Mandzukic. The Croatian duly legged it away from midfielders and defenders, and his strike flew into the bottom corner.

A two minute double salvo had turned the game firmly in the visitor's favour, but Fulham could have gotten an instant equaliser had Kamara and Johnson not wasted seemingly nailed on opportunities.

Mandzukic was close with an effort but he did little with Duff's well-drilled cross, while Kamara fired waywardly wide with his own effort.

Fulham's last chance of a first half equaliser saw Zoltan Gera fire straight at Steve Harper, and the Tynesiders entered the half-time break ahead.

They almost extended their lead with the first attack of the second half. Wilshere's cross picked out Mandzukic, and the Croatian could only head straight at Schwarzer.

But Fulham were not out of it, which was proven when Nevland wasted a dangerous opportunity by firing straight at Harper, although Newcastle could have got a third when Mandzukic broke free and saw a firm drive expertly denied by Schwarzer.

The home side then equalised moments later. John Pantsil hit the ball down the flank for Gera, who found Nevland further down the Londoner's right hand side. The ball across the box found Johnson in acres of space, and he was allowed to advance and put it home.

Newcastle almost re-took their lead instantly, but Mikkel Thygesen couldn't make the most of his opportunity.

Also culpable of missing was Jonas Gutierrez, with the Argentine winger sending in a vicious effort that landed amongst the Newcastle fans behind the goal.

Fulham thought they were about to retake the lead when they won a free-kick, which Murphy fired in goalbound but saw saved well by Harper.

A superb sliding tackle from Gera was required to deny Wilshere a seemingly nailed-on strike, while another tackle from the Hungarian wideman was viewed as a penalty by the visitors but not by the referee.

Mandzukic should've put the Toon ahead with ten minutes to go but his poor effort landed in the crowd, and accuracy was also lacking from Edgar's header from a corner, but the game's fifth goal did go the Magpie's way with just two minutes to go.

Sub Kevin Nolan hit the ball out wide to Jose Enrique, who sent in a difficult cross that Brede Hangeland could only send into the path of Mandzukic and Shola Ameobi. First too it was Mandzukic, who got clear of Aaron Hughes before firing the ball home.

The powerful Croatian hadn't always been at his best, but still popped up when required to grab the strikes his team needed.

Fulham had nothing in response, and it was a victory for Newcastle, whose strikers were just about more clinical in an even game.

Fulham: Schwarzer - Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky (Pantsil 25) - Gera, Murphy, Greening (Davies 68), Kamara - Nevland (Zamora 74), Johnson
Subs not used: Zuberbuhler, Baird, Dikgacoi, Andranik

Scorer: Kamara (11), Johnson (56)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Edgar, Jose Enrique - Jonas (Ameobi 81), Barton, Wilshere (Ryan Taylor 89), Duff - Thygesen (Nolan 74) - Mandzukic
Subs not used: Krul, Kadar, Guthrie, Carroll
Booked: Simpson, Mandzukic

Scorer: Wilshere (28), Mandzukic (30, 88)

Referee: Dean Coventry
Attendance: 25,109

Amazing detail here, keep it up!

Thanks, will do

Two goals from substitute Andy Carroll secured a point for Newcastle and denied Birmingham a vital victory.

The relegation-threatened Blues had the better of most of the evening and were two goals up by half-time thanks to Martin Taylor and Franck Queudrue.

It had looked as if Birmingham would hold on but Carroll scored within minutes of being introduced and then struck again with seconds remaining to steal a share of the points for the visitors.

It was an unhappy end to the contest to the Blues, whose encouraging performance offered hints that Alex McCleish's side can stay in the Premier League.

Doubts had been creeping in, with the Blues having only won one of their opening five games in 2010 in a run that has seen them slip into the bottom three.

They had hoped of getting victory against the Magpies, who have only won two matches on the road this season.

To do that, Birmingham knew they had to keep quiet Mario Mandzukic, and they were able to restrict Newcastle's top scorer to a half-challenge in quiet opening exchanges at St. Andrews.

Birmingham's only real chance in the opening 25 minutes saw James O'Shea's cross cleared, but they scored with the game's first real opportunity.

O'Shea's attempted cross was bundled out for a corner, and his resulting flag-kick picked out Martin Taylor, who beat Steven Taylor to the ball and sent a flying header beyond Steve Harper.

Newcastle offered nothing in response, and Birmingham held firm before scoring with the next chance nine minutes later.

Once again, it came from an O'Shea delivery, with this one seeing his corner half-cleared to Queudrue, who picked up the ball and then firmly fired it beyond Harper.

It was a big second goal and one that reinforced a fine opening 45 for the Blues.

Birmingham were very close to a third in first-half stoppage time, but Christian Benitez's header was off target.

Newcastle's first shot came five minutes into the second half but Joey Barton's free-kick was deflected wide, while a similar kick was also wasted by Blues' midfielder Lee Carsley.

Accuracy from free-kicks was lacking from both sides, with O'Shea lashing one into the stands, before Harper had to be on hand to make a firm stop to deny Damien Johnson.

Joe Hart had a quiet afternoon in the home goal but was called into action to deny Jonas Gutierrez, and then had to make another one later on to deny Shola Ameobi.

But he was beaten with 12 minutes to go to make for an interesting finale. Jonas' firm corner picked out Carroll, who rose highest in the penalty area to bury a header into the goal.

Decent defending from the Blues had held Newcastle at bay, with the one real opportunity the home side created seeing substitute Danny Guthrie lamp a free-kick into the stands.

However, Newcastle did come very close when Jonas Gutierrez was played through by Carroll and saw a firm strike well blocked by Hart.

But with one minute of the 90 to play, Newcastle broke Birmingham hearts with the equaliser. A corner was only half-cleared to Danny Simpson, who played the ball back to Jonas. The Argentine saw a flying cross picked out the unmarked Carroll, who buried his header into the goal.

It was cruel on the Blues, but Newcastle fans did not care on iota and they were celebrating a scarcely deserved equaliser.

Birmingham almost got themselves back in front immediately, when Barry Ferguson popped up but saw a drive saved by Harper. But Newcastle almost won it themselves with the last kick, when Guthrie picked out Barton, but the midfielder headed wide.

Nevertheless, it was a case of points shared in the Birmingham night, and McCleish will rue a performance that almost yielded a vital three points but ended gaining one point that felt like a defeat.

Birmingham: Hart - Martin Taylor, Roger Johnson, Dann (Ridgewell 67), Queudrue - O'Shea, Damien Johnson, Carsley, Fahey (Murphy 45) - Ferguson - Benitez (Phillips 70)
Subs not used: Maik Taylor, Carr, Espinoza, McSheffrey

Scorer: Martin Taylor (29), Quedrue (38)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Edgar, Jose Enrique - Jonas, Barton, Wilshere (Guthrie 64), Duff (Carroll 72) - Nolan (Ameobi 45) - Mandzukic
Subs not used: Krul, Kadar, Ryan Taylor, Thygesen
Booked: Barton, Ameobi

Scorer: Carroll (78, 89)

Referee: Alan Wiley
Attendance: 20,372

Shola Ameobi scored to ensure Newcastle and Aston Villa will replay their Fifth Round FA Cup tie.

The striker scored three minutes into the second half to cancel out former Magpie James Milner's first half strike. Its a result that ensures the two teams will meet again at Villa Park in ten days time to decide who will progress to the FA Cup Quarter Finals.

Villa marginally had the better of the encounter and felt that they should have wrapped up the game on the night. The Villians had chosen to keep their strongest eleven, while Newcastle had opted to rest several key players.

The visitors from the West Midlands had the game's first opportunity, with John Carew intercepting Sebastien Bassong's poor clearance but he was only able to fire the ball straight at Tim Krul.

Villa were the team creating the best opportunities of a low-key game, but weren't able to cause the Newcastle keeper too much to worry about.

The best chances fell for Carew, but the Norweigan once again could only head straight at Krul.

With a faint air of predictability, it was Villa who took the lead just after the half-hour. Ashley Young's corner fizzed into the box to Milner, who let fly with a superb first time strike into the top corner.

It was a first goal for Milner against his former Newcastle colleagues, although he muted his celebrations out of respect for his former employers.

Newcastle should've made the best of their first real opportunity moments later, when Andy Carroll was played through by David Edgar only to lash his strike into the stands.

Carew saw an effort deflected wide off Ryan Taylor, while Carroll was much closer when he rose to meet Damien Duff's swinging cross and saw his powerful effort rattle the crossbar.

Newcastle were beginning to create opportunities but were still not taking them, with Carroll firing a firm effort narrowly past the post.

The home side opted to change their tactics at half-time and they were able to get back level moments player. Jack Wilshere's ball forward was collected by Carroll, who teased his way around the edge of the penalty area before laying the ball off for Ameobi. The striker duly poked his strike into the bottom corner, and it bought his team back on level terms.

Villa got very close to retaking their lead minutes later, with Ashley Young seeing a powerful effort go out via the post.

But the visitors suffered a blow moments later when Gabby Agbonlahor was taken off injured and they almost fell further behind minutes later when a deflection was needed to take Shola Ameobi's effort off target.

Nevertheless, Martin O'Neill's forced replacement almost paid dividends within minutes. Emile Heskey exchanged a clever one-two with Carew and saw a powerful effort perfectly denied by Krul.

Heskey was then almost in with another chance moments later but the England international's effort was denied by a fingertip save from Newcastle's Dutch goalkeeper.

A swerving Nigel Reo-Coker effort went over as Villa tried to unlock the firm Newcastle rearguard, but they had to be alert for counterattacks, with Brad Friedel required to make a decent stop to deny Ameobi.

Friedel was then still needed, with the American goalkeeper making a flying stop to deny Carroll.

Newcastle bought on their top scorer Mario Mandzukic to try and find a late winner, but the Croatian's best effort flew high and wide.

Villa then almost won it in the 94th minute, when Carew rose high to meet a cross, but his header clipped the crossbar and out of play.

It all means the two teams are set to meet again in 10 days time, where they will duke it out again to move one step closer to Wembley Stadium.

Newcastle: Krul - Ryan Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique (Guthrie 45) - Thygesen, Edgar, Wilshere, Duff (Jonas 74) - Carroll (Mandzukic 85), Ameobi
Subs not used: Harper, Steven Taylor, Kadar, Lovenkrands
Booked: Edgar

Scorer: Ameobi (48)

Aston Villa: Friedel - Luke Young, Dunne, Davies, Warnock - Milner (Delph 90), Petrov, Reo-Coker, Ashley Young (Bouma 71) - Carew, Agbonlahor (Heskey 60)
Subs not used: Guzan, Beye, Cuellar, Collins

Scorer: Milner (31)

Referee: Alan Wiley
Attendance: 45,761

Carlton Cole came off the bench to score an equaliser as West Ham came back to draw with Newcastle.

It had looked like being a frustrating afternoon for Gianfranco Zola's side, after a seven minute spell saw Mario Mandzukic score twice either side of a Daniel Gabbidon equaliser.

But Cole - a half-time substitute - was able to produce a share of the points for the Hammers.

Both sides were able to create opportunities for an equaliser, but ultimately neither side was able to find the killer fifth goal of the contest and the points were ultimately shared.

With Newcastle looking for a second successive victory in London after their recent win in Fulham, the Toon Army created the game's earliest opportunity. It came when a well-weighted cross from Danny Guthrie picked out Andy Carroll, but the giant striker couldn't find the target.

Carroll was close to another attempt only for some last ditch defending by former Mag Scott Parker denying him from reaching Mandzukic's cross, as Newcastle were on top but struggled to trouble Rob Green.

West Ham almost hit the Magpies with the sucker punch moments later when Dean Ashton hit a firm free-kick that landed in the stands.

But it was Green who had to make the game's first save, with the England goalkeeper doing well to stop a Jonas Gutierrez effort, while Carroll's rebound ultimately landed in the side-netting.

Radoslav Kovac came close when he saw a long-range attempt deflected over by Steven Taylor, as the two teams traded attempted blows.

But it was the Geordies who found the opener just over ten minutes from the break.

Jack Wilshere collected the ball just inside the Newcastle half and was able to hit the ball out wide to Jonas, who hit a first time ball inside for Carroll. The giant striker escaped the defence before firing a firm ball up to Mandzukic, who ran free of the Hammers defence to go one on one with Green.

The in-form Croatian striker was never going to miss. A crisp finish into the bottom corner from the Croatian put his team in front.

But Newcastle didn't hold on to their lead for long. Luis Jimenez's corner picked out Gabbidon, who hit a fine strike into the top corner beyond Steve Harper.

It was a fine finish from the Welsh centre back, yet within minutes he and his team were behind again.

Carrol's initial effort hit Parker, so he hit the ball backwards to Mandzukic, who laid it off for Wilshere. The loan signing from Arsenal wandered through the middle of the park before returning it to the Croatian forward, who buried home his second strike of the afternoon.

With Zola's words ringing in their ears, the Hammers had the second half's first opportunity when a curling Jonathan Spector effort was well cleared by Harper.

West Ham continued their search to restore parity. But their efforts were not the greatest, with Cole and Ashton both firing seemingly simple strikes way off target.

But the Hammers had to be vigilant, and were almost breached again. A first time pass from Wilshere was collected by Mandzukic, who ran one on one with the home keeper and saw his effort well blocked by Green.

It should've been a third goal for Newcastle and their Croatian forward, and they almost paid the price immediately, with Ashton racing past Sebastien Bassong before firing a great strike that Harper did equally well to stop.

But there was nothing the Newcastle keeper could do eight moments later. Another Jimenez delivery caused chaos at the back for Newcastle, with Cole beating Joey Barton to the ball for him to firmly hit his strike beyond Harper.

This was West Ham's second equaliser, but they eased off and they almost fell behind yet again within minutes.

Carroll proved the dangerman on this occasion, with the striker rising high to meet Jose Enrique's fine cross only to head the ball into the away fans.

West Ham should've done better with Mark Noble's dangerous looking cross that was ultimately deflected out off a visiting defender, but the Hammers sub was close moments after this when his powerful effort was well blocked by Harper.

Cole was very close to his second with a magnificent solo effort, but at the end of the run, his final ball was dreadful.

Mandzukic had been quiet in the second half, but should've done better when Jonas laid off a fine cross for him only for the Croatian to head the ball straight at the keeper.

Having had two assists, Jimenez then had a pop to try and win the game but his effort was poor.

Noble was also unable to find the target, while at the other end, Mandzukic was able to reach Jonas' cross ahead of Gabbidon's poor interception but he was unable to beat Green.

West Ham almost won it in spectacular style with 90 minutes on the clock when Parker struck a powerful long range effort that rattled the crossbar.

But ultimately, a fifth goal proved to be too much of an enthralling contest in East London, where both sides had provided potential to take three points but unable to find the decisive strike in the contest.

West Ham: Green - Spector, Kovac (Tomkins 70), Gabbidon, Ilunga - Parker - Behrami (Noble 70), Collison - Jimenez - Ashton, Diamanti (Cole 45)
Subs not used: Stech, Ball, Dyer, Franco
Booked: Parker

Scorer: Gabbidon (39), Cole (69)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique (Thygesen 90) - Guthrie (Duff 67), Barton, Wilshere (Nolan 72), Jonas - Mandzukic, Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Coloccini, Edgar, Ameobi
Booked: Jose Enrique, Bassong, Barton

Scorer: Mandzukic (34, 41)

Referee: Steve Bennett
Attendance: 33,624

Nathan Delfouneso scored a controversial winner in the last minute of extra time to send Aston Villa past ten man Newcastle in the FA Cup.

Villa's reward for their late victory will be an away trip to Manchester United in the FA Cup Quarter Finals.

But Newcastle were furious, with manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and his players angry at the award when the young Villa striker had appeared to stray offside in the build-up to the strike.

Newcastle had midfielder Alan Smith sent off in extra time - his second red against the West Midlands side this season - but looked as if they would take the game to penalties, until the late winner.

It turned out to be a long night for both teams, after it had started fairly quietly. Just one opportunity was created in the opening 20 minutes, although it was a decent attempt when Brad Friedel made a very smart stop to deny Danny Guthrie.

Villa felt they should have had a penalty when Stiliyan Petrov went down under pressure from youngster Tamas Kadar, but Lee Probert disagreed and instead booked the Bulgarian midfielder for diving.

The game quickly became a series of half-chances and niggly opportunities, with neither team able to trouble the opposite goalkeeper.

The first real concrete opportunities in a long time came eight minutes before the break, with Ashley Young's powerful free-kick deflected wide and Nigel Reo-Coker firing wildly off target from the rebound.

There was almost a strike for Curtis Davies, with the centre back taking advantage of two missed Newcastle interceptions to reach a corner but unable to get his attempt header past Steve Harper.

Villa had another chance just before the break but Reo-Coker couldn't make the most of it, with his effort flying wildly off target.

The second half continued to be as quiet as the first, with just one concrete opportunity in the first 25 minutes of the half.

It fell to Newcastle, who should have done a lot better when Peter Lovenkrands could only strike a poor effort in the crowd.

Much closer were the home side. A vital defensive block from Fabricio Coloccini denied Emile Heskey, and from the resulting corner, Richard Dunne saw his effort gathered by Harper at the second attempt.

Shooting accuracy was still proving a problem. James Milner was provided a great shooting opportunity for a free-kick, but his attempt was wildly off target.

Milner was much closer with his next attempt, but the former Newcastle wideman saw his header from Heskey's cross easily held by Harper.

Villa were creating the chances. Dunne was cued up to strike a powerful effort at goal, only to hit the ball over.

Newcastle were then handed an opportunity to get the goal, but Smith's dribble was followed up by a poor effort off target.

Villa almost struck with one of normal time's final kicks, but substitute Delfouneso saw his powerful strike rattle the bar.

There was then almost a late winner at the other end of the park, with Newcastle pressure finally yielding a chance only for Smith to get his angles wildly off the mark.

The game moved into extra-time, and Newcastle had the earliest opportunity during this period when Kadar's cross picked out Shola Ameobi, who headed wildly off target.

Similarly inept with his shooting boots was Petrov, who took a firm free-kick wildly into the crowd.

Much closer was Milner just shy of the 100 minute mark, when his attempt forced a marvellous stop out of Harper.

But just before half-time in extra time, Villa were presented with a man advantage. Smith, who had been booked some 70-odd minutes previously, got in trouble with Probert after holding onto Stephen Warnock's shirt, and the Newcastle captain was duly dismissed.

It could have been worse when a vigorous tackle from Coloccini left Heskey needing some treatment, but the referee opted not to hand the Argentine defender a second yellow card.

Despite their disadvantage, Newcastle continued to hold firm, with the home side creating all of one wayward Milner free-kick.

It looked as though penalties were about to take place, but Villa then began to create chances, with Delfouneso and Carew both seeing strikes saved in quick succession, while Delfouneso also saw one attempt land over the top..

Then, with 119 minutes on the clock, the home side made the controversial breakthrough.

Petrov outmuscled Jonas Gutierrez and hit the ball out to Heskey, who found Carew. The Norwegian cued up Delofuneso, who lost his marker before firing a strike into the bottom corner.

It was a humungous sucker punch for the Magpies, who had defended so well for so long. Black and white shirts surrounded the referee angrily protesting the decision, but the referee was not interested in the protests and the goal stood.

Newcastle will feel painfully aggrieved of the way the contest finished, with Magpies fans feeling they were controversially punished, but Villa fans will feel the goal reflected their superiority during the contest.

They will also feel confident of giving Sir Alex Ferguson's boys a run for their money in the Quarter Final contest in 10 days time.

Aston Villa: Friedel - Beye (Warnock 73), Dunne, Davies, Bouma - Milner, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Delph (Heskey 45) - Young (Delfouneso 73), Carew
Subs not used: Guzan, Collins, Sidwell, Gardner
Booked: Petrov

Scorer: Delfouenso (119)

Newcastle: Harper - Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Kadar - Thygesen (Nolan 75), Smith, Guthrie (Jonas 45), LuaLua - Ameobi, Lovenkrands (Mandzukic 75)
Subs not used: Krul, Bassong, Jose Enrique, Carroll
Booked: Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Smith
Sent Off: Smith (105)

Referee: Lee Probert
Attendance: 42,640

Tim Cahill and Yakubu struck as Everton secured a vital three points in a tight game at Newcastle.

The Toffees needed three points to help their aspirations of Champions League football, and two goals in six minutes at the end of the first half et them on their way to victory.

Newcastle had got a way back through Mario Mandzukic, but a late own goal from Sebastien Bassong sealed their fate, despite Andy Carroll's late consolation.

It was a testing afternoon for the Magpies, who have only won two Premier League home games since beating Spurs at St. James' Park just after Christmas. They remain the last team to beat Harry Redknapp's side as the men from North London have taken the advantage in the Premier League title race.

The Toffees arrived in the North East on the back of a disappointing UEFA Cup defeat by Lazio, and they were looking for a tonic to help resurrect their Champions League cause.

Stung by David Moyes' criticism, it was Everton who had the early play and looked the likelier to make something happen with the ball. But it took them a few failed attacks to create the game's first opportunity, with Leon Osman seeing a free-kick easily halted by Steve Harper.

Everton were still the most likelier to make things happen during a cagey half, but were unable to create much in the way of opportunities. They were close with their only real opportunity, but Javier Garrido's effort was a fraction too high.

Newcastle's first real opportunity came on the half hour mark, with Jose Enrique playing in Jonas Gutierrez only to see a powerful effort ripple the side-netting.

It looked as if the two teams would enter the break level following a midfield battle, but Everton soon began to apply some pressure, as Garrido's first time volley was well halted by Harper.

The Toffees were then even closer from the resulting corner, with Marouane Fellaini rising high to meet Mikel Arteta's delivery only to see his effort cleared off the line by Jose Enrique.

Newcastle should've scored from a resulting counter attack, with Mario Mandzukic's cross almost diverted into his own net by Lucas Neill, but the Magpies failed to heed the warnings and were behind from the resulting corner.

The poor delivery was cleared by ex-Magpie Sylvain Distin. A counter attack saw Yakubu and Arteta run down the flank, which allowed Yakubu to be set clear by the wide midfielder. A fine pass from Yakubu picked out Cahill, who ran clear of Steven Taylor before flicking the ball beyond Harper into the bottom corner.

Newcastle should have equalised minutes before the break when Mandzukic picked out Carroll, but a poor connection from the giant striker meant the ball trickled wide of the mark and then, to rub it in, Everton were two up in first half injury time.

Fellaini collected the ball in the middle of the park, and he laid the ball off for Jack Rodwell, who was able to slide a ball up to the top for Yakubu. The giant striker's run duly led to a firm strike into the back of the net.

It was two goals in quick succession for the Toffees, whose fans were in dreamland up at the top of St. James' Park, who were bouncing back from heartache in Rome on Thursday night in fine style.

Newcastle opted to make a change at half-time, with the poor Coloccini sacrificed in favour of Bassong, but it was an Evertonian that almost gave the hosts a way back when Joey Barton should have done a lot better with his free-kick.

Another attacker to do poorly was Neill, who should have done better with a strike that fell too him.

The Toffees were close to putting the game to bed a few moments later, but Harper was able to make a solid stop to deny Yakubu his second goal.

Everton still looked the more likely to get the game's next goal, with Rodwell seeing a bold strike fly over the top, but the Toffees had to be wary of Newcastle's attack.

The Geordies fired an initial warning shot that they were still in the game when Distin had to clear Bassong's goal-bound header, and an even bigger one when Tim Howard had to make a fine save to deny Mandzukic, but their defence was breached with less than 20 minutes of the contest to play.

A long ball from Steven Taylor was flicked on by Peter Lovenkrands for Jack Wilshere. The Arsenal loanee passed the ball out to Barton, who sent a firm ball up forwards to Mandzukic, who broke free of a feeble offside trap to finish with aplomb.

It was another one in the bag for the Croatian forward, who is creating a good reputation in his debut season in English football.

But Everton almost got a two goal lead back on them, when an excellent Cahill ball played in Yakubu, whose effort was bundled off target by Harper.

Despite conceding, the Toffees still looked likelier to score, with Cahill doing very poorly from Osman's delivery with his header.

With four minutes to go, a Newcastle player was on the scoresheet. Unfortunately for the home fans, it was into his own net.

A free-kick was awarded for a foul by Barton, which was worked into the box by substitute Leighton Baines. His cross was aimed at Yakubu, who was beaten to it by Bassong. Unfortunately for Magpies fans, the defender's presence could only send the ball into his own net.

Newcastle did at least make the final moments interesting when they got a second strike. A firm ball down the channel from Danny Simpson picked out substitute Shola Ameobi, who progressed through the rain to get into a crossing position.

His delivery picked out Carroll, who tucked the ball home.

Everton almost made it four in second half stoppage time but for a superb double stop from Harper to deny first Fellaini and then Baines in quick succession of one another.

Newcastle could have completed an unlikely comeback with 93 minutes on the clock when Lovenkrands picked out Carroll, but the striker's finish was poor and off target.

Ultimately, Carroll's strike proved to be all Newcastle had in the tank, as they suffered a disappointing defeat in front of their home fans.

But it was an improvement for the Toffees, who were disappointing in midweek but now feel that a lack of European distraction could help them in their crusade for Champions League qualification next year.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini (Bassong 45), Jose Enrique - Thygesen (Lovenkrands 64), Barton, Wilshere (Ameobi 83), Jonas - Mandzukic, Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Nolan, Duff
Booked: Carroll

Scorer: Mandzukic (71), Carroll (89)

Everton: Howard - Neill, Yobo, Distin, Garrido - Arteta (Baines 72), Rodwell, Fellaini, Osman - Cahill - Yakubu
Subs not used: Nash, Jagielka, Heitinga, Hibbert, Bilyaletdinov, Jo

Scorer: Cahill (40), Yakubu (45+2), Bassong (og 86)

Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 51,376

Newcastle United have confirmed Michael Murray's consortium has bought the club from Mike Ashley.

The firm's holding company St. James' Park Holdings has been in negotiations with Ashley's representatives since December, and there had been speculation the deal to take over the club had broken down.

But after a break through was made earlier this week, Murray and his firm have purchased the club for an undisclosed fee.

The two companies confirmed that the deal is for the entire club, and that Ashley, who bought 100% of the club in 2007, is no longer involved with the set up.

Mr. Murray will be bringing in a new structure to the club, with Mark Shaw, Dave Collins, Anthony Battersby and Craig Jones all appointed as directors in the new structure at the club.

Murray said: "We have previously made an attempt to take over Newcastle United Football Club, and on that occasion, we were rebuffed but I did remain on board.

"This time, we were able to get the ball rolling in a way that suited both parties, and now we have made our full arrangements.

"I am pleased to be the man in charge of a Premier League club, not least a fine one such as this.

"I hope now that the uncertainty is over, we will be able too build a successful team that our fans can be proud of."

It is as yet unknown what the move means for Newcastle United manger Sven-Goran Eriksson, who was appointed on a two year contract in the summer.

The team currently sit 9th in the Barclays Premier League table ahead of today's game away at Arsenal.

In a brief statement, Ashley said: "Today, I announce my departure from Newcastle United.

"It has been an eventful ride full of moments I take pride of and moments that I regret, and I am pleased that, at the second attempt, Mr. Murray has been able to guarantee a deal in the best interests of all three relevant parties.

"Despite everything that has gone on, I wish the club and its fans all the best for the future, and hope to see one or two games in the future."

Ashley bought the club in 2007 from the Shepherds and Halls families. It is reported he spent a total of £130M on the purchase of the club at the time.

He has been through four permanent managers and almost oversaw relegation to the Championship in 2009, with the club surviving on the final day of the season.

Robin van Persie scored as Arsenal registered a comfortable victory over ten man Newcastle.

The Dutch striker's 15th goal in the league this season was his team's opener, and within eight minutes, William Gallas made it two as they kept alive their faint hopes of Champions League qualification.

Theo Walcott added some late gloss for the Gunners, while Newcastle saw Joey Barton sent off for the third time this season.

Discipline remains a major problem for Sven-Goran Eriksson's side, who received their eighth red card of the campaign.

It was also not a performance Eriksson was happy with, following the club's takeover by Michael Murray amid reports in the media that the new owner wants to appoint Alan Curbishley as the club's new manager.

But it was a happier day for Arsene Wenger, whose team have not been at their best this campaign as they face missing out on Champions League football for the first time since 1997.

The Gunners were on the front foot from the start. A wonderful pass from Cesc Fabregas picked out van Persie, who broke free of the back four but couldn't keep his effort on target.

Newcastle should have taken the lead inside ten minutes when Mario Mandzukic was played through but could only find the gloves of Manuel Almunia, and they almost paid the price within minutes when Steve Harper was called upon to deny Tomas Rosicky.

Rosicky was only presented the opportunity after a terrible backpass from Danny Simpson, and poor Magpies defending put them behind on 16 minutes. A needless foul by Barton on Fabregas gave the Gunners a free-kick, and van Persie's delightful delivery landed in the top corner.

Arsenal were clearly in the mood for more, with an excellent Harper stop denying Eduardo.

But the resulting corner duly led to another goal. Eduardo rose highest to meet Andrey Arshavin's corner, and his header across goal struck Gallas before finding its way over the line.

The Arsenal captain was credited with the goal, and the Frenchman led the celebrations as his side established their cushion.

Newcastle almost got a goal back just after the half hour when the ball landed for Barton, who saw a crisp effort beaten away by Almunia.

But the visiting defence remained vulnerable, with Arshavin seeing a good effort land inches wide of the mark after Barton's needless free-kick concession.

Arsenal still looked more likely to score. They had two free-kicks deflected wide in the closing stages of the first-half, and in stoppage time at the end of the half, Eduardo's firm cross picked out Arshavin, who was well denied by Harper.

A quieter second half saw Newcastle carve out the first real opportunity and they should have done a lot better with it when Mandzukic met Mikkel Thygesen's delivery but could only head it wide.

The misery for the visitors then increased when they were reduced to ten men. Barton had been walking a tightrope after a first half booking for tripping Arshavin, and sure enough the former Man City midfielder pulled back Fabregas, which saw him given a second yellow and the inevitable red.

This duly ended the game as a contest, with Arsenal content to play keep ball and Newcastle unable to get anywhere near the goal that would have made the second half a tighter contest.

Arsenal duly had the third to their name with nine minutes to go. A slick move down the left flank saw Gael Clichy thread the ball for Samir Nasri, who laid the ball off for Nicklas Bendtner. The Danish forward held the ball up before playing in Walcott, who evaded feeble Newcastle defending before slotting home.

Newcastle had a great chance moments later when Damien Duff was denied by Almunia, but it was too little too late for the visitors, and Bendtner should have done better when he wasted his header.

With 95 minutes on the clock, Arsenal were very close to getting the fourth goal to their name when Walcott's delivery immaculately picked out Nasri, but the French winger could only hit the woodwork.

Luckily for Nasri, it didn't matter as they already had registered a comprehensive victory and provided some joy for an Arsenal fanbase beginning to question the merits of manager Arsene Wenger.

Indeed, pressure now turns to the occupant of the away dugout, who hasn't won in six matches in all competitions and could use a tonic for next weekend's clash at Portsmouth.

Arsenal: Almunia - Sagna, Gallas, Vermaelen, Clichy - Rosicky, Song, Fabregas - Eduardo (Walcott 69), van Persie (Bendtner 80), Arshavin (Nasri 74)
Subs not used: Fabianski, Gibbs, Murphy, Freeman
Booked: Fabregas

Scorer: van Persie (16), Gallas (24), Walcott (81)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Jonas, Barton, Thygesen (Duff 81), Lovenkrands (Edgar 63) - Mandzukic, Ameobi (Guthrie 45)
Subs not used: Krul, Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Nolan
Booked: Barton
Sent Off: Barton (62)

Referee: Dean Coventry
Attendance: 60,361

John Utaka scored the only goal of the game as Portsmouth picked up a vital victory by beating Newcastle.

The Nigerian's goal 18 minutes from time was enough to sink an underwhelming Newcastle display, and in turn gave Portsmouth a first league win in 2010.

It will be a major relief to manager Paul Hart, whose team hadn't won since beating Wigan on December 28th, and it helps his team stay ahead of the relegation drop zone in the battle to beat the drop.

Newcastle arrived after making the 340 mile trip hoping for a tonic after a failure to win in six games in all competitions, and they began the game on the front foot. Jonas Gutierrez saw a firm free kick hit the side-netting, while Mario Mandzukic was also close to grabbing the Toon the opening goal when he received Shola Ameobi's knockdown and saw a firm effort narrowly clip the top of the goal.

Portsmouth were close to the opening strike when Jose Enrique narrowly deflected Tommy Smith's effort past the post, while a swerving Papa Bouba Diop effort couldn't find the target.

Tommy Smith was very close to his own effort, when he received Anthony Vanden Borre's cross and beat Steve Harper but not the crossbar.

Diop was also wayward with an attempt as Portsmouth began to control the contest.

But despite being largely in charge, Portsmouth's accuracy was proof of their relegation problems, with Utaka wasting a great chance.

Newcastle were similarly problematic with their accuracy, with Mandzukic seeing a poor effort deflected away and the visitors duly wasting the corner.

Sebastien Bassong was presented with a chance to get the visitor's the advantage, when his effort trickled off target.

It was the visitors with the first opportunity of the second half, and it was also their first on target, with Shola Ameobi seeing a strike firmly denied by David James.

A simple stop from the veteran English goalkeeper was also required to deny David Edgar as Newcastle had the best of the second half's opportunities, with a fizzing drive from Ameobi pushed clear by James.

Portsmouth's first chance of the half came just shy on 20 minutes into the half, with Linvoy Primus hitting it wide.

But just as the game seemed to lose its spark, it was the home side that found the opening goal.

A free-kick was awarded a foul on Hamed Namouchi, and Vanden Borre pinged in the free-kick. It picked out Utaka, who nipped in ahead of his markers to flick the ball into the back of the net.

Newcastle flung on attacking substitutes as they attempted to find themselves an equaliser, but it wasn't to be for the visitors, who created next to nothing in their attempts to level.

As a result, it was Portsmouth who held on to secure an important victory. It was a vital result for the South Coast side, who have been in freefall amid rumours of financial hardship, and they will hope it can spark a run to stave away demotion worries.

Portsmouth: James - Vanden Borre, Ben-Haim, Wilson, Hreidarsson - Mokoena, Hughes (Primus 45) - Tommy Smith, Diop, Namouchi - Utaka
Subs not used: Steele, Pulido, Reynolds, Wilkinson, Yebda, Dindane

Scorer: Utaka (72)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson (Lovenkrands 88), Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique (Guthrie 72) - Jonas, Edgar, Wilshere (Nolan 64), Duff - Mandzukic, Ameobi
Subs not used: Krul, Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Alan Smith
Booked: Simpson, Bassong

Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 17,088

Newcastle United manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has confirmed he will remain the club's manager after meeting with the board.

There had been speculation on the future of the former England manager after the takeover of Newcastle by Michael Murray, with the new owner of the club reportedly set to appoint Alan Curbishley as their new manager.

But Eriksson confirmed in his pre-match press conference before tomorrow's match against Manchester United that he will remain at the club.

He aid: "I am aware there has been speculation about my future at the club since the takeover of the club. Such speculation is normal in football - of course, when I was England manager I was being linked with a new job every other day.

"But I have met with the new chairman and board,and we had a talk about the situation. We agreed that its best I remain in this position and so I will remain Newcastle manager.

"There is no need to change anyway. We maybe on a winless run, I accept that. But we need stability and continuity at this club, and we're not going to get that with any needles dismissals.

"At the start of this campaign, me and Mike (Ashley, Newcastle's former owner) agreed on a top half finish and so far we're managing it."

Newcastle are currently without a win in six league matches, while the club are under pressure for their poor disciplinary record.

Eriksson also confirmed that he wants to make the loan signing Danny Simpson permanent, but admits they may not have the funds to keep Jack Wilshere at the club on a permanent basis.

He added: "We know the situation with our loan recruits and it would be great to keep both here. But there's a certain economic reality to the situation with Jack that means keeping him here beyond May is likely not to happen.

"However, we have been talking with Manchester United's representatives about buying Danny. We would certainly like to make him a signing at this club as he has impressed for us in his loan spell.

"We have a long way to go but we're certainly looking at it."

Wayne Rooney scored a late winner as Manchester United maintained their faint title hopes with victory at Newcastle.

It was harsh on Newcastle, who had took the lead and looked set to hold on despite being under the cosh for the bulk of the contest.

They opened the scoring through Mario Mandzukic, but were pegged back when Owen Hargreaves equalised from the penalty spot.

Manchester United took the lead shortly after half time through Dimitar Berbatov but Newcastle did get themselves level thanks to Mikkel Thygesen.

However, Rooney scored against Newcastle once again to secure a third straight win for United on Tyneside and keep alive their faint glimmer of title hope.

The visitors arrived with no win in seven games in all competitions, and still smarting from their humiliation by Inter Milan in the Champions League and FA Cup exit against Aston Villa in midweek.

They signalled their intent early on with some early pressure, but the only opportunity they could create saw John O'Shea's header easily saved by Steve Harper.

Newcastle's first chance fell to the recalled Ryan Taylor, but the full back spurned his opportunity when he fired a long-ranger into the crowd.

But it was the Red Devils who began to turn the screw. A flying move saw Antonio Valencia cue up Berbatov, whose looping header skimmed the bar on its way out, while a superb stop from Harper denied Johnny Evans.

Despite this, it was the hosts with the opening strike. The ball was played out wide to Jonas Gutierrez, who advanced down the flank before cueing the ball up for Jack Wilshere. A superb ball forward from the Arsenal loanee was collected by Mandzukic, who held off the visiting defence before picking his spot and placing it beyond Edwin van der Saar.

The Magpies' advantage was held on by some firm defending action, but with nine minutes to go of the half, they handed their guests a way back into the contest.

Zoran Tosic's free-kick was only half-cleared to Berbatov, who was tripped by Sebastien Bassong and a penalty was awarded.

Home players surrounded referee Keith Stroud and protested vociferously, but their protests were ignored by the referee. Hargreaves stepped up and converted the penalty, but a quiet end to the half saw the half-time whistle greeted by boos for the referee as the teams walked off.

Sir Alex Ferguson opted to bring on Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs at half-time, and his subs almost paid immediate dividends, with a brilliant Fletcher snapshot met by an equally superb stop from Harper.

Rooney should have done a lot better with his chance when he broke away from Steven Taylor only to lash a strike into the stands, but his team were celebrating soon enough.

A quick free-kick saw Hargreaves thread the ball out wide to Giggs, and the veteran Welshman evaded Jonas before flinging a cross in for Berbatov. The Bulgarian striker rose above Bassong before powering his header beyond Harper.

But Newcastle did get an equaliser less than four minutes after falling behind. Wilshere's vision again contributed, with the youngster picking out Damien Duff. The Irishmen's effort was only deflected by van der Saar to Thygesen, who tucked the ball over the line.

It was a second goal against a Manchester team for the Danish midfielder, who scored against Manchester City back in January.

Man United almost retook the lead immediately, with Rooney intercepting Steven Taylor's awful clearance only for his snapshot to be found wanting.

Although the half was quite quiet, the visitors were still creating opportunities, with O'Shea and Rooney wasting chances, but they still had to be vigiliant, with a superb defensive intevention from Nemanja Vidic all that denied Wilshere a seemingly certain goal.

A smart van der Saar save was needed to deny Alan Smith's fizzing long range strike, but with four minutes remaining on the clock, it was the visitors with the game's fifth goal.

Giggs' run down the flank cued up Berbatov, who's angled run into the box yielded a stop from Harper. However, the rebound hit a combination of Berbatov and Bassong, and fell kindly for Rooney, who could not miss an open goal from four yards out.

It was yet another strike against the team that almost signed him in 2004, but more importantly it looked to have given his team a vital win.

A further blow for Newcastle saw Thygesen injured, and although they threw on Shola Ameobi and Peter Lovenkrands, the visitors held out.

It was an important win for Sir Alex Ferguson and his men after a testing period of games, but they'll still be hopeful this can be the springboard of securing that top four position.

Newcastle: Harper - Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Jonas (Nolan 80), Smith (Ameobi 87), Wilshere, Duff - Thygesen (Lovenkrands 90) - Mandzukic
Subs not used: Krul, Edgar, Coloccini, Guthrie
Booked: Steven Taylor, Duff

Scorer: Mandzukic (24), Thygesen (63)

Manchester United: van der Saar - O'Shea (Brown 82), Vidic, Evans, Evra - Valencia, Hargreaves, Anderson (Fletcher 45), Tosic (Giggs 45) - Berbatov, Rooney
Subs not used: Kuszczak, Filipe, Welbeck, Owen

Scorer: Hargreaves (pen 36), Berbatov (59), Rooney (86)

Referee: Keith Stroud
Attendance: 52,387