Number 1 - Comments

Newcastle United have signed Dutch midfielder Stijn Schaars on a free transfer after he was released by AZ Alkmaar.

Schaars becomes the third player to move from AZ Alkmaar to Newcastle in two seasons, after Moussa Dembele and Rasmus Elm made the move to the North East last season.

Schaars, 28, was released by AZ Alkmaar at the end of last season after seven years with the Eredivisie club. His team won the Dutch Eredivisie title in 2008, but after the club concluded deals to sign defensive midfielders Anthony Annan and Kyrylo Petrov in the summer, he was surplus to requirements and left.

His move to England will likely see a Newcastle exit for Danish midfielder William Kvist, but its unclear how much first team action he will get, with Alan Smith, Joey Barton and fellow new boy Lars Bender likely competition for a starting berth alongside Elm.

Aston Villa winger James Milner has re-signed for Newcastle after a £12.5million deal.

The one-time England international returns to St. James' Park four years after moving from the North East club to the West Midlands - a transfer which ultimately forced the resignation of manager Kevin Keegan.

Milner, 26, made 136 appearances in his four seasons as an Aston Villa player, but returns to the club where he made 94 appearances in four seasons.

Newcastle manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said, "We were looking to bolster our wide options, and we knew as an English club, we wanted some more home-grown representation.

"We were alerted James may have wanted to return to St. James' Park, so after scouting and contacting his club, we decided to give it a go and sure enough, he is a Newcastle player again.

"I know some fans will find it hard to re-accept him after the way he left, but he will be a key player once more and we hope he will be an exciting talent for the supporters of our team."

Milner first joined Newcastle from Leeds United in 2004 for £3.6million. He spent four years at the club, although he did spend the 2005-06 season on loan with Villa and had a permanent transfer to them pulled on transfer deadline day in August 2006.

He eventually forced through a £10million move two seasons later in August 2008, and was a key part of the Aston Villa team that got 6th place finishes in 2009 and 2011, and to the 2010 FA Cup Final.

Newcastle have signed Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Lars Bender on a season long loan.

The highly rated 23-year-old German midfielder will make a season-long transfer to the North East, for a reported loan fee of £1.3million.

Bender made 33 league appearances for the Bundesliga side last season, in his third campaign since joining from 1860 Munich in the summer of 2009. But he was made available for a loan transfer after Leverkusen signed Ukrainian international Denys Garmash from Dinamo Kiev in the summer, and as a result, he has made his exit.

He is expected to be followed into Newcastle by a second signing, with Newcastle insiders claiming a second signing will be made later this week.

Rumours have linked Newcastle with Hatem Ben Arfa, Alexis Sanchez, James Milner, Nathan Dyer and Victor Moses, but sources would not comment on specific player targets.

Thanks

If we make the Champions League proper we'll have some money to play with, and might even be able to make some expensive late window Hollywood captures if we feel we need more than what we have then.

Joey Barton and Steve Harper have signed new contracts at Newcastle, but Danny Guthrie has left the club.

The duo will extend their respective stays on Tyneside, with Barton signing a new two year contract, and Harper extending his stay by a further season.

But Guthrie, along with younger Shane Ferguson, has left the club upon expiry of contact, after the club opted not to give him a new contract.

Harper, who is Newcastle's longest serving player, will be allowed to see out his playing days with the club he has played for in a near 20 years career. The goalkeeper joined in 1993 and despite many years behind first Pavel Srnicek, then Shay Given, and now Tim Krul in the pecking order, the Geordie goalkeeper has made 124 appearances.

He will likely be kept as back-up ahead of next season, and will be hoping to make more than just three first team appearances, which he had made in total in the previous two campaigns.

Barton, 29, has made 116 appearances in the league for Newcastle since joining the club in 2007 for £5.75million from Manchester City. He had been widely speculated to be leaving the club in the summer after the club failed to agree a compromise from his previous £75,000-a-week contract, but he will stay at the club on a deal reportedly paying at a third of his old deal.

But while Harper and Barton will stay, its the end for Guthrie after four seasons at St. James' Park. In all, he made 66 appearances after joining from Liverpool for £1.5million in the summer of 2008, but he will not stay at the club.

Guthrie had been a first team regular during the 2010/11 season, but was unable to make more than three Premier League appearances last season, and he will leave, with Burnley and Sunderland among the reported destinations.

Premier League champions Manchester City will start the season with a home game against Sheffield United.

The Citizens will begin defence of the first title they had won in 44 years with a home fixture against the Blades, who they beat home and away last season. Fans will certainly be hopeful of an easy start, just like last season, which is when they won three games in a row to start their Premier League campaign with.

Runners-up and city neighbours Manchester United will start their campaign with a tricky away fixture at Everton, which will see the two sides face off in a fixture between two of the Premier League era's only ever-presents.

With the Olympics having games take place on the Premier League's opening day, it means that Arsenal and Newcastle will be unable to play their opening games against Middlesbrough and Hull respectively, as their stadiums will not be in use. With European play-offs also forecast for the midweek fixtures held, it means their opening fixtures will take place a full week later, with Arsenal to play Everton and Newcastle to play Middlesbrough on the weekend of the 25th and 26th of August.

Other games will take place. Third place Chelsea will open their campaign by travelling to face newly promoted Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Liverpool will open their season with an away trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers, which is the same fixture that they lost on the final day of last season - a result that saw them miss out on Champions League football.

Another West Midlands opening day clash will see newly promoted Birmingham City start the campaign with a West Midlands Derby with Aston Villa at St. Andrews.

A London derby will also take place at Craven Cottage, where Fulham will host West Ham United in a battle between London clubs looking for better after disappointing campaigns.

Tottenham Hotspur's aims in a better campaign than their nightmarish 2011/12 season will begin with a trip to Bolton Wanderers, while fellow Lancashire outfit Burnley open their campaign with a clash to play Sunderland.

The second game of the season is scheduled to see Manchester City play Liverpool and Manchester United play Arsenal, but due to European play-offs, these games will be re-arranged.

With postponements set to make havoc with the opening fixture list, the first likely clash between two teams aiming for a top four finish will see Manchester City play Tottenham in the third week of the campaign.

The weekend of September 1st and 2nd will also promise to be a weekend of big teams, with last season's top four playing on the same weekend. Chelsea will face Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, while Newcastle will travel to Manchester United.

The reverse of the traditional season-opening fixtures will be played as the traditional Boxing Day games, with the reverse fixtures of the following two rounds in August making up the final game of 2012 and the opening game of 2013.

The champions will end their campaign with an away day at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Chelsea will also end away, as they face a trip to Burnley. Meanwhile, Arsenal will close by hosting West Ham United, while Manchester United will host Sheffield United in their last game, Liverpool's final game will see them travel to Bolton, and Newcastle end their season with a home match against Aston Villa.

Opening Fixtures (18/19 August):
Arsenal vs Middlesbrough
Birmingham City vs Aston Villa
Bolton Wanderers vs Tottenham Hotspur
Bristol City vs Chelsea
Burnley vs Sunderland
Everton vs Manchester United
Fulham vs West Ham United
Manchester City vs Sheffield United
Newcastle United vs Hull City
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool

Second Fixtures (21/22 August):
Aston Villa vs Burnley
Chelsea vs Bolton Wanderers
Hull City vs Birmingham City
Liverpool vs Manchester City
Manchester United vs Arsenal
Middlesbrough vs Fulham
Sheffield United vs Everton
Sunderland vs Bristol City
Tottenham Hotspur vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
West Ham United vs Newcastle United

Boxing Day:
Aston Villa vs Birmingham City
Chelsea vs Bristol City
Hull City vs Newcastle United
Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manchester United vs Everton
Middlesbrough vs Arsenal
Sheffield United vs Manchester City
Sunderland vs Burnley
Tottenham Hotspur vs Bolton Wanderers
West Ham United vs Fulham

Final Day (May 19th 2013):
Arsenal vs West Ham United
Birmingham City vs Sunderland
Bolton Wanderers vs Liverpool
Bristol City vs Tottenham Hotspur
Burnley vs Chelsea
Everton vs Middlesbrough
Fulham vs Hull City
Manchester United vs Sheffield United
Newcastle United vs Aston Villa
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester City

The Premier League has confirmed games in the 2012 Olympic Football Tournament will take priority in the event of fixture clashes.

The tournament was previously announced as taking place between August 8th and 25th, with games to take place at the Emirates Stadium, St. James' Park, Old Trafford and New Anfield, with the tournament finishing in a grand final at Old Trafford on August 25th.

In a press conference, the Premier League confirmed that games that would coincide would be moved to accommodate games in the Olympics, which could lead to either Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool or Newcastle United - or perhaps even all four of them - having their opening games moved to later on in the campaign.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore confirmed the controversial decision at a conference in London earlier today.

Newcastle United manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has confirmed the team will invest in necessary players this summer.

The team have finished 4th in the Premier League and are expected to spend in order to strengthen their squad ahead of a season that will see them juggle domestic and European commitments in a busy season.

But Eriksson has confirmed the team will not spend big money for the sake of it, and will seek to replace departing squad members firstly before considering further buys.

Eriksson said, "Its easy for us to jump in recklessly and just spend big for the sake of spending big. But we don't want to do that.

"We have players in mind for positions we want to purchase, as there are players set to leave this club in the summer. But we don't want to go overboard and buy players we don't want in positions we are either over-filled in or have perfectly fine players on our books as it is.

"Nevertheless, we will not be perfectly quiet. We will buy three or four players in the summer to replace three and four players that will leave following loan or contract expiry or possible sales. After that we'll consider what we want to do."

It is likely that James Rodriguez, Anthony Vanden Borre, Joey Barton, Danny Guthrie and Steve Harper will be among those leaving in the summer, with the former duo's on loans that expire at the end of the season, and the latter trio out of contract.

Indeed. I hope we win the play-off - no idea who we'll get but I hope we can get a winnable game.

Aye they were. I can never beat Everton and I'm annoyed to have thrown it away v Bolton. Hopefully we won't fall away so easily if push comes to shove again next season.

With the Premier League now over for another year, The Daily Telegraph looks back on how each team did in another frantic season. This review concerns Newcastle United, who finished 4th in the Premier League.

The Season In A Sentence:
Always looked for the run to find them in the European spots, then found it, and are back in the Champions League after a decade out of it.

Manager: Sven-Goran Eriksson
Sven spent bigger than a decade of Newcastle managers, but sold big too, and reaped dividends. Jan Vertonghen was an improvement on Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini, Rasmus Elm was a fine central midfielder, Luis Suarez - after teething problems - fitted in, and even promoted youngster Ryan Donaldson chipped in nicely. He also changed the tactics to one that worked better, and the team looked a superb proposition.

Best Player: Jose Enrique
The left-back was once again Newcastle's most consistent performer. Many Newcastle players had great runs and not-so-great runs, but it was the Spanish full-back who was a consistently excellent performer for the black and whites. He maybe yet to break his goalscoring duck since joining, but at the least, he remains a continual menace.

Worst Player: Anthony Vanden Borre
Signed on loan from Genoa, Belgian full back/midfielder Vanden Borre was signed as an alternative option in full-back following some of Newcastle's departures. But after waiting for a while to get past Danny Simpson and Billy Jones in the pecking order, Vanden Borre could only put in some truly abject performances. After a similarly uninspiring spell at Portsmouth, maybe the Premier League just isn't for him.

Moment Of The Season:
There were many highlights for Newcastle fans. The fairytale debut for Ryan Donaldson in an opening day derby win. Donaldson's instant but delightful acclimatisation at the start of the season. A run of six wins from six that saw the team get firmly amongst the top-end. But the best display was perhaps a first half demolition of Spurs at St. James' Park that triumphantly sealed their return to the top table of the Premier League.

Big Issue:
The discipline issue that has dominated Newcastle for the last three seasons remains a major problem. Particularly of a problem was Alan Smith, who set a new Premier League record for ill-discipline and received three red cards along the way. Danny Simpson was also a problem, with the team yet again set the high water-mark for yellows in the league. Newcastle could certainly use a chill pill in on-the-field confrontations.

Season Rating: 8/10
The fact Newcastle were slightly disappointed at missing out on an automatic Champions League position on the final day of the season is a mark of how far they have progressed in a season. A year ago, they were stuck in midtable while Sunderland were heading to the FA Cup Final, but this newer team with younger, cheaper talents and an eye for goal was a superb update. As a result, they provided a great team to watch, and it'll be an interesting plot next season to see if they can continue this run.

Best Eleven:
Krul - Simpson, Vertonghen, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Elm, Smith - Obertan, Suarez, Rodriguez - Carroll

As a former Sunderland boss and someone who once hid behind David Beckham to get away from Shearer, I would've been surprised if he'd written something nice about us. Personally I'm more surprised by a quote from the book saying "Clive Clarke's heart attack made me glad as it distracted from Sunderland being knocked out by Luton".

Johan Elmander scored to end Bolton's season with a point and ensure Newcastle will be in the Champions League qualifiers next season.

A first half goal from Gabriel Obertan, and defeat for Liverpool away at Wolves, was enough for Newcastle to ensure 4th and a spot in the qualifying rounds. But Elmander's goal meant that they missed out on a top 3 place, and with that, automatic qualification to the Champions League proper.

The result brings to an end a fairly disappointing campaign for Bolton, although they at least avoided a 17th Premier League defeat of an uninspiring campaign for the home fans.

With Newcastle knowing a win would get them 2nd in the table, they begun on the front-foot, and came very close in the opening minutes of the game when Rasmus Elm collected the ball in the middle of the park and hit a crashing drive that thumped against the bar.

Newcastle's next attack was a whole lot more accurate. Jose Enrique's ball infield picked out Elm, who confidently strode forward in the middle of the park before cueing up Obertan with a smart pass. The ball perfectly released the French winger, who broke away from the backline and hit a fierce drive into the top corner.

It was another good moment in the early Newcastle career for the January signing from Manchester United, who is settling in very nicely in the first half-season as a Premier League winger.

Bolton tried to get back into it, but in truth, the efforts from Sylvain Distin and Fabrice Muamba were of poor quality and both landed wildly off target.

A high and wayward free-kick from Jan Vertonghen and a similarly inaccurate effort from Danny Simpson saw Newcastle unable to get efforts on target as they looked to try and find themselves a way through.

Elm was then wayward with his strike as Newcastle worked to try and find themselves a second, and they almost got undone, only for Gretar Steinsson to be inaccurate with his strike.

Preferred to both Tim Krul and Steve Harper, Newcastle goalkeeper Asmir Begovic was then properly tested for the first time, with the Bosnian making a flying stop to deny Michael Woods.

Jussi Jaaskelainen was then alert at the other end, with the Finnish goalkeeper making a superb save to turn Elm's low creeping fizzer away from the target.

Newcastle were then scathing at the referee's decision to disallow a second goal. They thought they had it when Obertan ran onto Joey Barton's through ball and finished his strike, but the referee didn't allow the goal.

Jaaskelainen then made a flying stop to deny Elm as Newcastle continued to have the better, and they entered the break hoping to keep their advantage.

But it was Bolton with the first chance of the second-half, with Mariano Pavone being played through only for his drive to force an easy catch out of Begovic.

Newcastle still had opportunities, with Jose Enrique firing over when surprisingly played through before Carroll forced an easy save out of Jaaskelainen.

Pavone was then given two chances, but one was an easy catch for Begovic, and the second trickled wide with the Bosnian easily watching it passing by.

But Bolton were beginning to grow in influence in the game. First Matty Taylor headed wide and over when perfectly placed, and then Pavone scuffed a drive straight at Begovic.

Pavone was duly hooked from the field, and his replacement had an instant impact. Taylor cued a pass for Sam Ricketts, and the Bolton sub cued up Elmander, who headed the ball beyond Begovic with his first touch.

Newcastle thought they should have been given a penalty kick when Sean Davis block-tackled Elm and prevented the Swede from getting a shot in, but the referee was not interested in their appeals, despite replays showing they had a case.

Newcastle's sense of injustice was almost accentuated when Bolton came close on their next attack, but Distin could only head the ball straight at Begovic.

A previously quiet Andy Carroll was then handed a great chance to win the game, but his shot was hopelessly off target.

The Newcastle number 9 then missed another great chance when well positioned, before Fabrice Muamba almost won the game for Bolton, only for Begovic to make a smart stop to keep his drive out.

Jakob Poulsen and Muamba then missed injury time attempts to win the game, before Simpson missed a late volley as the teams finished all square.

The result brings the 2011-12 season to an end for both teams, and although they missed out on a top 2 finish on the final day, Newcastle will still be pleased with a campaign that was initially expected to lead to a midtable finish to a European challenge. They will hope to reach the Champions League proper next year.

Bolton will certainly be hoping for better next season, with the Trotters only avoiding relegation by virtue of awful seasons for Stoke, Leeds and Blackburn, and they know they have to do better if they are to avoid a season of struggle next year. But at the very least, Bolton will be happy to avoid ending the campaign with yet another defeat.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen - Steinsson, Radzkov (O'Brien 60), Distin, Samuel - Poulsen, Muamba, Davis, Woods (Ricketts 56), Gardner - Pavone (Elmander 65)
Subs not used: al-Habsi, Traore, Dervite, Davies
Booked: Davis

Scorer: Elmander (69)

Newcastle: Begovic - Simpson, Vertonghen, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Elm (Donaldson 82), Barton (Ameobi 90) - Obertan, Suarez, Rodriguez (Thygesen 60) - Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Vanden Borre, Kadar, Kvist
Booked: Simpson, Barton

Scorer: Obertan (6)

Referee: Stuart Atwell
Attendance: 24,682

Newcastle and Everton shared the points following a late-season stalemate.

Neither side did anything approaching enough to win the game, and it means both sides will need wins on the final day to secure their respective European desires.

The Champions League chasing Magpies will be annoyed not to have taken advantage of the sending off of Everton's Johnny Heitinga with 26 minutes of the contest remaining, and need a win at Bolton on the final day to confirm automatic progression to Europe's top table.

Everton meanwhile need a win against West Ham on the final day to be sure of 7th, and with it a Europa League spot.

They may have been surprised to see a starting berth for veteran goalkeeper Steve Harper, with Newcastle manager Sven-Goran Eriksson giving the goalkeeper a run-out on what could be his last ever appearance for the club.

In truth, neither nor the more regularly used Tim Howard had much to worry themselves over in the game's opening stages, with both teams similarly woeful in their chance creation, and both team's defences proving resolutely firm.

The poor nature of the game meant that it took 24 minutes for either side to create anything approaching a chance. When one team did create one, it should have been a goal, and in truth, only James Rodriguez will know how me missed when perfectly positioned.

Everton's first chance fell the way of Joseph Yobo, but the Nigerian defender was inaccurate when perfectly picked out in the penalty box.

Similarly inaccurate when at the opposite end to their defensive position was Jan Vertonghen, with the Belgian centre back sending a free-kick wide of the mark.

A niggly game saw yellow cards appearing with more regularity than chances, but a chance again fell to Yobo, and again, the defender failed to get the ball on target.

The best chance of the whole half came in first half stoppage time when James Vaughan rose unmarked from a corner, but could only force a save out of Harper.

Ryan Donaldson scored an own goal when these two side met on Boxing Day and it was the highly rated youngster with the first chance of the second half, but his long range effort failed to test Howard.

Corners and half-chances continued to be the best either side could manage, before Newcastle had an effort on target just after the hour mark, only for Carroll to be easily denied by Howard.

The game seemed to turn the Magpies' way with 26 minutes remaining when Everton had a man sent off. Having already been booked, a trip by Heitinga on Rodriguez led to the Dutch full-back's dismissal from the field of play.

But Everton decided to compact themselves, and Newcastle were restricted to long-rangers, such a wayward one from Donaldson six minutes after the dismissal.

Another long-ranger off target from Donaldson saw the youngster's head visibly drop, before the hosts then found an effort on target, as Danny Simpson's cross perfectly picked out substitute Shola Ameobi, only for the striker to be denied by Howard.

Donaldson then wasted two more long-range strikes as his frustration grew, and he was duly hooked from the field with four minutes left of the contest.

Howard was then alert again moments later, making a very fine stop to deny Gabriel Obertan's header.

That was duly it for the contest and for Newcastle's home fixture programme. They remain in the top 4, but know that anything less than a win at the Reebok Stadium on the final day could see them slip out of a position they had done so well to find themselves in.

Everton need victory of their own on the final day, as only three points will ensure for sure that they will stay above Aston Villa and take a Europa League spot, as they seek to avoid the heartache of the final day of last season, when they were pipped to the spot by the Villains.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Vertonghen, Bassong, Jose Enrique (Barton 55) - Donaldson (Thygesen 86), Jones - Obertan, Suarez, Rodriguez (Ameobi 69) - Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Kadar, Edgar, Elm
Booked: Jose Enrique, Obertan, Rodriguez, Carroll

Everton: Howard - Heitinga, Yobo, Spence (Neville 58), Ribiero - Arteta (Castro 70), Neville, Fellaini, Rodwell, Baines (Gosling 64) - Cahill - Vaughan
Subs not used: Gulasci, Garrido, Bilyaletdinov, Yakubu
Booked: Heitinga, Baines, Fellaini
Sent Off: Heitinga (64)

Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 54,808

Manchester City have been crowned Premier League champions for the first time in 44 years after beating second-place Newcastle.

Carlos Tevez scored the two goals that ensured the Citizens will be lifting their first top flight crown since 1968, and sparked scenes of wild celebration amongst those wearing sky blue in a packed Etihad Stadium.

It continues the move towards legendary status amongst City fans for manager Mark Hughes, who last season won the Champions League and this year could be about to deliver a domestic treble, with the side having beaten Liverpool in the Carling Cup Final and set for a clash with Arsenal in the FA Cup Final next month.

Newcastle did give City a late fright when Ryan Donaldson scored after 89 minutes, but their chances of a victory that would've prolonged the title race for another week at least were damaged when Alan Smith was sent off just after half an hour.

Under the watchful eyes of England manager Fabio Capello, this was undoubtedly one of the biggest games of the season. Victory for the Citizens would secure them the league title with two games still to play, while victory for Newcastle would bring them within two points of the hosts.

Perhaps sensing the destiny of the league was in their hands, Manchester City had early opportunities. Tevez evaded several Newcastle defenders and then got into a shooting opportunity, only for Tim Krul to somehow deny him when the ball seemed destined to go in.

Another opportunity was then created for the Argentine striker, who had previously won two Premier League titles with Manchester United, but again, Krul denied him with a superb stop.

Manchester City were piling early pressure but will have hoped to have created better than a long-range effort for Nigel de Jong, which went wide of the mark. But with 11 minutes of the clock, that opportunity was created, and duly taken advantage of.

A ball from the back by Micah Richards was passed on by Stephen Ireland to Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togolese international anticipated a run by his striker partner Tevez and perfectly found it, resulting in a run at goal for the Argentine, and duly, a goal.

Perhaps relieved to finally get off the mark for the afternoon, it was a very nice goal for the striker, who looked to have set his team on the road towards the title.

It took 20 minutes for Newcastle to create their first real chance, but it was a good opportunity, with only Juan Pablo Carrizo's smart stop denying Andy Carroll.

That save would prove crucial within a minute as the hosts won a penalty kick. From a corner that was given after Tevez's free-kick was deflected wide, the referee ruled that Gabriel Obertan had illegally tripped up Tevez when they were challenging for the ball, and gave a penalty. Newcastle vociferously protested but the referee was not interested and Manchester City had the chance to double their tally from 12 yards.

They duly took it. Tevez sent Krul the wrong way and got his second of the match to send the home side one step closer to the title.

Newcastle captain Smith was visibly seething at the award of the penalty, and as it has done on many occasions this season, the red mist descended. Two yellow cards in three minutes for silly fouls - the first a trip on Ireland, the second a shirt-tug on Shaun Wright-Phillips - duly resulted in Smith's third red card of the season, which will no doubt spark questions on his disciplinary control. This means he will miss the last two games of the season and the first one of next season.

Tevez had two chances to pile on the misery for Newcastle before the half-time whistle, but on both occasions, he was unable to find the target. Not that it seemed to worry the home fans too much, as they knew they were within touching grasp of picking up the trophy and medals.

Newcastle re-shuffled at half-time to try and cope better with their disadvantage, and almost got a goal back with the first real chance of the second half, but Luis Suarez couldn't make it count.

The unlikely source of Wayne Bridge almost found number 3, but could only fire wildly off target, before Tevez was presented with a great chance for his hat-trick, only for Krul to pull off the superb stop.

Adebayor was then close to getting in on the action and ending his recent goal drought, but his header touched the bar on its way into touch, before Tevez was wayward when well placed.

Newcastle's miserable afternoon continued when they went down to nine men. Barely seconds after Sven-Goran Eriksson had made his third sub by introducing Donaldson, Dembele pulled up with an injury and had to leave the field of play.

It was an unhappy return to the Etihad Stadium for the former Manchester City manager, and it could have been worse moments later, but Krul did very well to make a stop to deny Wright-Phillips.

Much to the surprise of almost everyone in the stadium, Newcastle then did get a goal back with 89 minutes of the clock. A free-kick was given for a foul by Bridge on Donaldson, and the young substitute was picked out by Jan Vertonghen's free-kick to bury his header beyond Carrizo.

A surprise blot on the home side's clean sheet, but Newcastle's depleted numbers meant a comeback like their one at Fulham in their last away outing was unlikely.

It mattered not that Richards missed late on, as they had their win and they knew that they were finally going to win the title after 44 years and watching their cross city neighbours win accolade after accolade in the meantime. Fans rejoiced long after the final whistle and saluted their heroes after they finally made the dream of a top flight title a reality.

Man City: Carrizo - Onuoha, Richards, Toure, Bridge - Wright-Phillips, Ireland, de Jong (Barry 79), Robinho (Jovetic 79) - Adebayor (Zabaleta 89), Tevez
Subs not used: Viera, Kompany, Miguel Torres, Jo
Booked: Bridge, de Jong

Scorer: Tevez (11, pen 28)

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Vertonghen, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Elm (Donaldson 76), Smith - Obertan (Barton 34), Suarez, Rodriguez - Carroll (Dembele 45)
Subs not used: Begovic, Jones, Kadar, Thygesen
Booked: Smith, Rodriguez
Sent Off: Smith (33)

Scorer: Donaldson (89)

Referee: Keith Stroud
Attendance: 47,405

Thanks.

I don't expect to win the league, but finishing in the top 4 is now the minimum aspiration. Would also continue my record of bettering every real life season, which will certainly get easier after this one.

Fucking crazy to think they'll have had four managers without a quarter of the season having even gone. And given McKinley managed four points in his two games, really bad decision making. What the fuck is going on?

Luis Suarez scored twice late on as Newcastle destroyed Spurs to set up a potential title showdown with Manchester City in two weeks time.

Three goals in seven minutes sent the contest the way of the in-form Magpies, with Jan Vertonghen's first Newcastle goal followed up by two strikes from Suarez.

James Rodriguez then put the game out of Spurs' reach before half-time, although Roman Pavyluchenko grabbed a second half goal for the visitors.

The result means victory for Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium in two weeks time - their next game due to the surprise week break for the Premier League - would close the gap between the now top-two to just two points, with only two further games to play, although a City win would give them the league title.

Spurs are only dreaming of such an end to the season. They have had an awful campaign, and this latest misfire sees the 2009/10 Premier League champions staring down the barrel of a bottom half finish.

With Newcastle on a good run of form that has seen them go eight games unbeaten, they were expected to do well, and they had the game's first opportunities, but neither Sebastien Bassong nor Andy Carroll could keep their respective headers below the crossbar.

The early stages were quite tense, but with 20 minutes gone, the hosts were given a chance to get men forward when Vedran Corluka pulled back James Rodriguez - an offence that saw the Croatian full-back booked.

Rasmus Elm floated in a free-kick that landed perfectly for the unmarked Vertonghen, whose buried header landed in the back of the net.

A first goal in Newcastle colours for the Belgian defender, who joined at the start of the campaign from Bordeaux, and he was clearly delighted to have finally broken his duck.

It was four minutes before Newcastle fans were celebrating again. A poor pass from Luka Modric was intercepted by Elm, who played a smart one-two with Danny Simpson before racing free and cueing up Suarez. The Uruguayan advanced beyond a feeble Spurs offside trap and calmly slotted the ball beyond the goalkeeper.

It was another fine finish from the striker, who is finally hitting some good form on Tyneside after a difficult first season.

He would soon be celebrating again. Staring from the back of the field, Newcastle advanced, with Tim Krul passing via Jose Enrique to Alan Smith, who in turn hit a direct pass out wide for Rodriguez. The loanee from AC Milan then picked out Suarez, who was always faster than Rio Ferdinand and was able to run before shooting a powerful effort beyond Gomes.

Two in three minutes for last summer's big money buy from Ajax, which took him up to 12 for the season.

A shellshocked Spurs team was looking dumbstruck on the field and flabbergasted in both the dugout and the stands. Their first real opportunity of any merit came shortly after Newcastle's third, and was not worth remembering, with Tom Huddlestone lashing one into the Gallowgate End.

They were closer with three minutes before half-time, with Robbie Keane releasing Aaron Lennon, only for Krul to deny the winger.

Newcastle then hit Spurs again before the half was up. A corner was won by the lively Rodriguez, and Vertonghen's initially delivery picked out Bassong. His effort was saved by Gomes, but Rodriguez was on the scene as quick as a flash to convert and extend the host's advantage.

It was a comprehensive and crushing display by the Geordies, who were on their way to recording a huge victory against the former champions.

Things almost turned into a rout barely minutes after the restart, with Gomes making a very good stop to deny Suarez a first hat-trick in English football.

But the Spurs fans who made the long journey north did have a goal to cheer eight minutes after the second half begun. Huddlestone played the ball out wide to Jermaine Jenas, and the half-time sub evaded his marker before cross to the newly-arrived Pavyluchenko, who smashed the ball into the top corner with his first touch.

Scant consolation for the visiting fans, but at the least a reminder to Harry Redknapp of the Russian's striking abilities as he pushes for more starts.

Smith saw an effort sail wide of the mark before Wilson Palacios tried to make things interesting, only for Krul to be more than equal to the Honduras international's scuffed drive.

The sting had begun to be drawn out of a game that looked won, but Spurs were very close to a second consolation with 18 minutes left on the clock, and only a superb stop from Krul denied Pavyluchenko from acquiring it.

Newcastle sub Moussa Dembele then saw an effort skim the top of the bar as he searched for only his second league goal for the club, before a superb intervention in second half stoppage time from Krul stopped Pavyluchenko.

But in the end, the game had long been won, and Newcastle's very impressive end to the season continues. They have now won seven of their last eight games, which has taken them up to second in the Premier League table, and victory at Manchester City in their next game could even see them have a late shot at the title.

Spurs by contrast were deflated and looked beaten from when they conceded. Redknapp knows he faces an awkward end to an unhappy campaign as he seeks to justify his continued employment at the club.

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson (Jones 54), Vertonghen, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Elm, Smith (Barton 61) - Obertan, Suarez, Rodriguez - Carroll (Dembele 79)
Subs not used: Begovic, Kadar, Thygesen, Donaldson
Booked: Jose Enrique, Smith

Scorer: Vertonghen (20), Suarez (24, 27), Rodriguez (45)

Spurs: Gomes - Corluka, Woodgate, Dawson, King - Lennon (Jenas 45), Palacios, Huddlestone, Modric (Boyce 45) - Keane (Pavyluchenko 52), Defoe
Subs not used: Przyrowski, Hibbert, Walker, McGinty
Booked: Corluka, Jenas

Scorer: Pavyluchenko (53)

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 53,276

Luis Suarez scored the winner as Newcastle came from two goals down to beat Fulham at Craven Cottage.

It looked as though relegation threatened Fulham were about to take a giant stride towards safety when Diomansy Kamara opened the scoring with an incisive but controversial finish before Paolo Sammarco's long range bullet in the first half added time gave the hosts a two goal lead.

But three goals in 14 minutes turned things around, as first Andy Carroll, then Gabriel Obertan, and finally Suarez gave the Magpies a turnaround victory that prolongs their unbeaten run to eight games and increases their Champions League hopes.

Some pundits even think the Premier League title may not be beyond Newcastle this late in the campaign, although they would need victory over leaders Manchester City in three weeks time for that to be a potential reality.

Struggling Fulham begun the outing knowing a win would give much-needed daylight between themselves and the relegation zone, and they had the game's first opportunities. A Sammarco header first landed over the top of the goal, before Kamara saw a strike caught by Tim Krul.

Krul was still the busier goalkeeper, with his first stop being a superb one to deny Brede Hangeland, and then a second, albeit more rudimentary, stop to deny Valeri Bojinov.

Fulham looked more likelier to score, and in controversial fashion, they did on 24 minutes.

The Cottagers won a free-kick for a foul by Carroll on Hangeland, and a quick free-kick saw Jonathan Greening released. The midfielder passed on to Sammarco, who teed up Kamara, and despite a hint of offside, the Senegalese striker advanced and played the finish beyond Krul.

Newcastle players surrounded the assistant referee in protestation that they were lucky not to get bookings for, but the goal stood and they were a goal down.

Fulham continued to look likelier to force the game's second goal, with a corner causing uncomfortable moments for the Newcastle defence, before Kamara rose high to a cross only to wildly head the ball away from the goal.

Newcastle's first real chance saw Alan Smith pick out Carroll, but the giant Newcastle number 9 failed to get his header anywhere near the goal.

Sammarco failed to find the target with a header, but the Italian then had better luck from longer range in the first half stoppage time.

The ball fell to the Italian after Carroll cleared Bojinov's cross. Sammarco got to the Newcastle forward's attempted clearance, before hitting a venomous strike into the top corner of the goal from 30 yards.

While there was dispute over the legitimacy of the first goal, the Italian's strike was superb and beyond dispute, and ensured Fulham entered the half with a two goal advantage to their name.

Newcastle made a double substitution at half-time as they looked to turn around their desperate situation, but with 10 minutes gone in the second half, they had created nothing and almost fell further behind when Kamara met a searching cross only to head the ball off target.

But while Newcastle have created a more artistic style of play, it was a route one goal that got them back into the contest. A long thump from the back by Krul travelled across the bulk of the pitch to pick out Carroll, who broke free of a feeble offside trap and struck a firm drive into the corner of the goal.

A fifth in seven for the Geordie-born striker, and more importantly, it ensured Newcastle were back in a contest they had well and truly been second-best in.

It wasn't long before the comeback got them on level terms. John Pantsil's half-clearance from a corner kindly fell for Smith, and the Newcastle captain's return pass was flicked on by Carroll to Obertan, who played a calm but well-placed drive beyond Marton Fulop and in.

A second goal in Newcastle colours for the January signing from Manchester United had bought his team back level, and suddenly back on course to challenge for a sixth win in seven outings.

Their aspirations suddenly became a reality as they took the lead for the first time in the game after 70 minutes. A firm defensive header by Sebastien Bassong released his fellow Frenchman Obertan, who raced down the right flank. His pull-back sat beautifully for Suarez, and the Uruguayan fired a firm strike home to complete the turnaround.

A fine breakaway goal from the Magpies finished off by the £12.5million summer signing from Ajax, and they were suddenly back in good climes, with chants of delight emanating loudly from the sold out visitor's section.

Fulham did go forward, but Bojinov hit one effort hopelessly away from the target, before the referee ruled a dodgy-looking tackle by Donaldson on Kamara was not worthy of a penalty kick.

A wayward drive by Hassan Yebda late on increased the sinking feeling for Fulham fans that they had thrown away the game, and it was fully realised when they wasted several promising breakways late on.

It ultimately meant defeat for the Cottagers, and they still need results to ensure a 12th successive Premier League season.

Newcastle by contrast were in dreamland, and their pursuit of a spot in the Champions League positions is really gathering pace. A victory over the 2010 champions Tottenham Hotspur next weekend could even justify far-flung suggestions that they could be challenging for their first top flight title since 1927, although characteristically, manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was calm with speculation on their challenge.

Fulham: Fulop - Stoor (Pantsil 63), Hangeland, Dann, Briggs - Dempsey, Sammarco, Greening (Zamora 83), Kamara - David Elm (Yebda 45), Bojinov
Subs not used: Amos, Foster, Riise, Etuhu

Scorer: Kamara (24), Sammarco (45+1)

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Jones (Vertonghen 45), Bassong, Kadar - Rasmus Elm (Donaldson 45), Smith - Obertan, Suarez, Rodriguez (Edgar 90) - Carroll
Subs not used: Begovic, Barton, Thygesen, Dembele
Booked: Vertonghen

Scorer: Carroll (56), Obertan (64), Suarez (70)

Referee: Kevin Friend
Attendance: 22,399

A thumping victory saw Newcastle thrash Burnley and increase their Champions League chances.

The Magpies were on the way towards victory from the eighth minute through Rasmus Elm's drive, before a Billy Jones penalty kick put them two up just before the break.

James Rodriguez put further daylight between Newcastle and the midtable Clarets, before Ryan Donaldson's first goal since December wrapped things up in injury time at the end of the game.

It was an unwelcome result for Burnley, whose poor recent form has seen them drift towards the relegation zone, and who could use a win or two to ensure they don't drop below the demotion zone come the end of the campaign.

With Newcastle unbeaten in six games, they were always in for a tall order, and they were behind from the game's first attack.

The goal was primarily down to Danny Simpson, whose productive run down the right hand flank exploited Burnley's use of a 3-5-2 formation, before he cued it infield for Elm, and the Swede wrapped an unstoppable strike into the bottom corner.

A fine finish for the Swede, who has proven an inspired signing since his deadline day move from AZ Alkmaar to the North East.

Burnley almost got back into play with their first attack, only for Andre Bikey to head over the top of the goal.

After that early flurry, the game was extremely quiet, with neither side really able to do anything approaching note, and largely sucking the enthusiasm out of the stadium.

Just after the half-hour mark, Diego Penny was then called into action to deny Simpson, before a counter-attack saw Miles Addison pick up the ball and force a sweeping stop out of Tim Krul.

Andy Carroll was next to try his luck and came very close, with his firm header beating the goalkeeper but not the woodwork.

Newcastle then lost Gabriel Obertan to injury, but his replacement Mikkel Thygesen was involved in the home team's second goal. His cross picked out Elm, who was tripped up by Bikey and with it, the referee opted to away a penalty kick.

After debate among players, it was centre back Billy Jones who took the spot-kick, and his penalty beat Penny for the second goal of the game.

Carroll's aims to find a fifth goal in six outings saw him close with the first action of the second half, as he rose high but saw a header just scrape the top of the bar on its way out.

But Newcastle did have a third goal within the opening ten minutes of the second half. A searching ball from Elm picked out Carroll, who knocked a great pass to James Rodriguez, and the Colombian winger smoothly passed the ball into the bottom corner.

A superb strike from the winger on loan from AC Milan, who manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said in his post-match that he would be interested in signing permanently at the end of the season.

Newcastle almost put the game further beyond Burnley later on, only for Elm to completely get the geometry wrong on his long ranger.

Burnley's best chance after this blitz saw Jay Rodriguez release Alex MacDonald, who forced a good save from Krul.

Carroll was still having another go, with the striker again evading the Burnley backline and again firing a shot Penny couldn't stop, but again, he hit the woodwork rather than the back of the net.

Simpson also fired high and wide as Newcastle looked to rack up an even more comprehensive scoreline, with the away goalkeeper later making a stop to deny substitute Donaldson.

Burnley's miserable afternoon was exacerbated when Miles Addison left the field with an injury after the Clarets had already used all three substitutes, but they almost got a consolation when substitute Clarke Carlisle was picked out at a corner, only for his strike to career away from the goal.

A fourth goal was coming in injury time. Substitute Moussa Dembele released Carroll with a trough ball, and a good through-ball released substitute Donaldson, who ran free and slotted home for his first goal since early December.

That was the conclusion to a game that had effectively been over from the eighth minute, and continues Newcastle's surprise ascent into the upper reaches of the Premier League, while sending their opponents into a potential relegation duel with Lancashire rivals Bolton and Blackburn as the season hurtles towards the conclusion.

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Jones, Bassong, Kadar - Elm, Smith - Obertan (Thygesen 39), Suarez (Donaldson 60), James Rodriguez (Dembele 82) - Carroll
Subs not used: Begovic, Vertonghen, Edgar, Barton
Booked: James Rodriguez

Scorer: Elm (8), Jones (pen 44), James Rodriguez (51), Donaldson (90+2)

Burnley: Penny - Bikey, Nestor (Jordan 45), Rajkovic - Tom (Caldwell 9), McDonald, Addison, McCann, Driver (Carlisle 62) - MacDonald, Jay Rodriguez
Subs not used: Kelemen, Mears, Eagles, Paterson

Referee: Dean Coventry
Attendance: 54,776

Wise did this before - just after the verdict in the Keegan tribunal five years ago, Keys helped Wise publicly defend his role, say it was Keegan's fault and defended Ashley's (then even worse) running of the club, even though Wise was fundamentally proven to be why Keegan left in the first place.

I know at the top of the page we had the "Noocarsul fans hate Laandaners" debate and thanks to Dennis Wise, it appears everyone else now is. Seeing as I didn't use a BEIN Sports stream on Saturday (which is the Middle Eastern Premier League broadcaster, and where he was a guest for that afternoon), I can't comment first hand, but he said we hated him, Ashley, JFK and Pardew because they're all Londoners.

Obviously its easy to feel this is bait laid by a former Ashley employee whose haircut makes him look like Hitler without the tache (which is what he did look like in photos), or wonder if Richard Keys is struggling to get guests of repute on BeIN Sports (like I did) but fucking really? This shit again?

Shaun Wright-Phillips rescued a point for league leaders Manchester City away at Champions League chasing Newcastle.

A first half strike from Luis Suarez had given Newcastle hope of a fifth straight win in all the league, but the diminutive City winger salvaged a point for the Premier League leaders as they seek to win their first title since 1968.

Newcastle had to play second half injury time with ten men after full-back Jose Enrique was dismissed - their 6th red card of the league season - but they held out to take a point and extended their unbeaten run to six Premier League games.

This game has been postponed since December, and indeed, the two teams are due to meet at the Etihad Stadium in three and a half weeks time. Nevertheless, this contest was nevertheless an exciting prospect between an in-form Newcastle team chasing the Champions League and a Manchester City side who remain ahead at the top of the Premier League table, but have recently been being reeled in by Manchester United.

The leaders had been buoyed by an crushing victory over Arsenal but may have been forgiven for having one eye on this weekend's showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Nevertheless, it was the visitors who made the game's early running, with Robinho hitting wide when found with a free-kick minutes before Tim Krul pulled off a smart stop to deny Carlos Tevez.

Manchester City were still making the early running, with Krul making a superb stop to deny Stefan Jovetic moments before Micah Richards was left unmarked at a corner and saw his header narrowly land over the top of the goal.

So it was some surprise when Newcastle scored the game's first goal. The ball was played up to Andy Carroll, who had scored in each of Newcastle's last four games. Rather than going direct, he held the ball up on the edge of the box before releasing Jose Enrique, whose inviting cross perfectly picked out Suarez.

The low finish was Suarez's first goal at St. James' Park in a month and a half, but it was also his 9th goal of a debut season in black and white that is now showing signs of getting used to the league after initial teething problems.

Manchester City were struggling somewhat to find a way past Newcastle's defence, which did an exemplary job of ensuring they wouldn't be able to test Krul.

Indeed, aside from the odd corner, they weren't really able to do anything to really get at the Newcastle goal.

With three minutes remaining of the half, it was almost two goals for the Geordies. But a superb stop by Juan Pablo Carrizo in the home goal was made to deny former Manchester United winger Gabriel Obertan.

Rasmus Elm was nowhere near finding the back of the net when a corner was only cleared to the Swede, but Newcastle entered the break ahead and hardly showing signs of being over-awed by the Sky Blues.

Mark Hughes looked thoroughly unimpressed with his team's display when the half-time whistle was blown, and will have undoubtedly urged his team to do better in the next half.

It didn't take them long to come close, with Stephen Ireland evading Tamas Kadar and hitting a ferocious strike that Krul did superbly well to keep out of the goal.

They then came close again when Nigel de Jong released Robinho, whose firm drive was tipped onto the post by Krul as the Citizens begun to apply pressure.

The pressure wasn't far in being reflected by a goal. Joleon Lescott played the ball forward from the back, and it was flicked on by de Jong to Jovetic, who evaded Kadar and sent in an inviting cross. Wright-Phillips was first on the scene, and the little winger burst through to find the back of the net.

A clinical finish from the Manchester City fan favourite, who as much as anyone is looking to try and win his team their first Premier League title in 44 years.

Newcastle almost got an instant return when an inviting Danny Simpson cross perfectly picked out Carroll, but the giant striker couldn't keep his header down.

Both sides were looking lively and provided lots of attacking movement as they looked to find a breakthrough, but the only real chance fell the way of Tevez, and it was little more than wayward by the Argentine international striker.

Newcastle made changes and thought one of the arrivals should have been given a penalty, but the referee ruled Richards' challenge on Moussa Dembele was perfectly legal, and ignored his and fans' appeals.

The two Manchester City central defenders were then presented with game winning chances, but neither Lescott nor Richards could keep their respective efforts on target.

Newcastle's efforts were then made harder when they were reduced to ten men on 88 minutes. Having already received one caution, Jose Enrique's shirt pull on Wright-Phillips was penalised by the referee with both a free-kick and second caution, which duly revealed a red and a dismissal.

The chance to win the game fell Manchester City's way with 91 minutes on the clock, but Ireland's effort was parried by Krul, and the game ended with shared points.

Its a result that perhaps works better for the hosts, who prolong their unbeaten run to six and who maintain their place almost those challenging for the European position. By contrast, the Citizens were frustrated in their attempts to open a significant gap on their city neighbours ahead of the weekend's clash, although they will at least know a win will all but bury the Red Devils' title hopes.

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Jones, Kadar, Jose Enrique - Elm (Donaldson 75), Smith - Obertan, Suarez, Rodriguez (Dembele 75) - Carroll (Thygesen 90)
Subs not used: Begovic, Vanden Borre, Edgar, Barton
Booked: Simpson, Jose Enrique, Kadar
Sent Off: Jose Enrique (89)

Scorer: Suarez (18)

Man City: Carrizo - Richards, Toure (Onuoha 55), Lescott, Miguel Torres (Bridge 70) - Wright-Phillips, Ireland, de Jong, Robinho (Barry 88) - Adebayor, Jovetic
Subs not used: Viera, Zabaleta, Young, Jo
Booked: Richards, Robinho

Scorer: Wright-Phillips (54)

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 56,387

Andy Carroll scored for the fourth game running as Newcastle pushed Stoke City closer to relegation.

The burst of prolific form for the Newcastle number nine was the only goal of Newcastle's fourth victory in a row, as they continue to build up the credentials for a Champions League finish.

But it was another low point in a very depressing campaign for Potters supporters, with Peter Reid's side staring down the barrel of an instant demotion.

They had got themselves some hope after a midweek victory over Sunderland, which had ended a run of five consecutive defeats as part of a greater run of 13 game without a win.

Potters fans were hopeful of a run of form that might bring them back into the fight for survival, but their hopes were hardly helped by a dour start to proceedings as the two sides grappled for a measure of one another.

The game's first real opportunity came on the quarter hour mark and fell the way of the home side, with Tuncay Sanli intercepted a hesitant Billy Jones and striking an effort on goal that Tim Krul did very well to tip around the post.

Former Newcastle striker Mario Mandzukic then tried an effort of his own, but the Croatian's effort landed over the top of the goal.

Newcastle then curated a chance of their own, with Carroll first to Gabriel Obertan's cross, only for Thomas Sorensen to easily hold onto the ball.

Mandzukic was then presented with two opportunities to try and get the team ahead, but on both occasions, his efforts landed nowhere near the back of the net.

Rasmus Elm then tried his luck from range, but the Swedish midfielder's effort from range was easily caught by former Sunderland goalkeeper Sorensen.

Newcastle then took the advantage of the game just after the first half hour. A crisp pass forward by Krul from the back was collected by Jose Enrique, who threaded the ball down the left hand side for James Rodriguez. The Colombian evaded his marker before flicking in a cross for Carroll, who rose high and powered his header into the top corner.

A fourth goal in as many games for the Newcastle striker, who is hitting great form at the right time as his team seeks to make the Champions League for the first time since 2003.

Stoke almost got back on terms instantaneously, with Tuncay cued up by Diego Arismendi, only for Krul to make a smart save to deny the Turkish winger.

From the resulting corner, Emerse Fae was given a free header, but the midfielder was unable to find the target when perfectly positioned.

Two chances fell the way of the Potters in first half stoppage time. The first was an inaccurate header by Danny Collins, but Fae was then significantly closer, with the midfielder's powerful drive cannoning off a post and back into play.

Stoke were desperately searching for a way back into the contest, with Mandzukic arrowing a volley narrowly over the top and Krul then making a flying stop to keep out a strike by the Croatian, who Newcastle have recently been rumoured in wanting to bring back to St. James' Park in the summer.

Newcastle then begun to neuter the threat and even created an opportunity of their own, only for Elm to see his effort fly into the stands rather than anywhere near the back of the net.

With less than a quarter of an hour to play, the game was nearly killed off. Sorensen first had to make a smart stop to deny a piledriver by Joey Barton, and then an even better stop to deny Rodriguez's close range rebound.

Stoke's best opportunity to prevent a 22nd league defeat of a forgettable campaign saw Collins head the ball over the top of the goal.

In the end, the one goal was enough to decide the destiny of the three points, and Newcastle returned from Staffordshire to the North East with their fourth victory in a row to their name - a result that will likely keep up their Champions League aspirations.

Stoke fans slunk out of the stadium with a familiar sense of foreboding. The team are now potentially three games away from demotion, and this has not been the return to the Premier League that their fans had hoped for when they had won promotion to the Premier League a year ago.

Stoke: Sorensen - Naughton (Shotton 90), Huth, Collins, Higginbotham - Lawrence (Sidibe 45), Fae (Tonge 90), Arismendi, McFadden - Mandzukic, Tuncay
Subs not used: Andersen, Davenport, Odonkor, Fuller
Booked: Lawrence

Newcastle: Krul - Jones, Vertonghen (Simpson 58), Kadar, Jose Enrique - Elm, Smith (Barton 71) - Obertan, Suarez (Edgar 86), Rodriguez - Carroll
Subs not used: Begovic, Thygesen, Donaldson, Dembele
Booked: Kadar, Elm, Smith

Scorer: Carroll (33)

Referee: Keith Stroud
Attendance: 21,159

Gabriel Obertan scored one and created another as Newcastle eased past West Ham in a battle between European contenders.

The Frenchman's first goal since his January transfer from Manchester United opened the scoring, before he set up James Rodriguez to set Newcastle on their way to an important three points in this game between two sides that, despite poor recent form, still harbour Champions League aspirations.

Newcastle have only won three times so far in 2014, but back-to-back away wins meant they started with confidence. By contrast, West Ham still had hopes of resurrecting their European aspirations, despite the fact they had failed to win in five league games since winning at the Emirates Stadium on February 4th.

It was the home side who had the first chances of the game, with Rasmus Elm seeing an effort deflected wide moments before the hosts survived a double scare. First, Andy Carroll saw his attempt blocked, and then Rob Green pulled off a superb stop to tip Moussa Dembele's effort onto the post and catch it after it hit the frame of the goal.

Full-back and reported West Ham summer target Billy Jones was next to try his luck, with the defender seeing his half-volley fly wide of the target.

Newcastle were the team likelier to curate chances, with a speculative effort from distance by Elm swerving on target only for Green to pull off a firm stop.

West Ham were struggling to get anywhere near Tim Krul's goal, and their inert display was duly punished by a goal for the hosts just before the half-hour mark.

The ball was played infield to Alan Smith, who played a neat ball forward to Suarez. A great pass forward from the Uruguayan international released Obertan, who calmly slotted into the bottom corner.

A first goal in black and white stripes for the January signing from Manchester United, who was delighted to finally get his first Premier League goal since moving to England in 2009.

It took conceding the advantage for West Ham to actually get a chance, with James Tomkins unable to direct it anywhere near the goal.

A vicious strike from Dean Ashton was closer to the target by the visitors, but a decisive deflection from Tamas Kadar took it away from the goal.

Ashton was providing a menace for the home backline as the half entered its final stages, but he couldn't find the target with either effort.

Alessandro Diamanti was then close with an effort that proved to be the final kick of the half, but he was unable to get his effort remotely on target.

West Ham were then convinced that the first decisive moment of the second half should have been a penalty for them, but the referee opted not to penalise an aerial challenge by Jones on Diamanti.

Mark Noble then saw an effort deflected wide, while Newcastle were then close through an unlikely source when Jose Enrique hit an effort narrowly over the top.

Diamanti then saw a strike denied by Krul, and that save almost proved pivotal when Newcastle raced up the other end to create a chance that saw Carroll denied by an acrobatic stop by Green.

But a second goal for Newcastle was not long in coming. A long ball wide by Elm picked out Carroll, who held the ball up before releasing Obertan. The French winger then raced clear and played in an inviting cross that Rodriguez turned home just after his arrival as a substitute.

A powerful header into the goal led to celebrations from the Colombian, who scored his first goal since striking against Leeds in January.

Newcastle almost put the game further out of the visitor's reach minutes later, but Green made a good stop to keep out Suarez's effort.

West Ham then had the chance of chances to get back into proceedings when Diamanti broke free and beat Krul with his crisp drive, but could only find the upright.

The Hammers were having the pressure that fell in a largely chanceless period of the game, but Newcastle were easily able to deal with it.

The Magpies were close to finding number 3, but Elm could only head straight at Green.

In the end, the Magpies didn't need three goals to collect three points, with a decent victory handing them their third victory in a row, and continuing the sense that they are beginning to curate a Champions League spot challenge.

West Ham's winless run seems to have ended those dreams. This was their sixth game in a row without victory, and Gary Johnson's team have to react soon to resurrect their hopes of a top four finish,

Newcastle: Krul - Jones, Vertonghen, Kadar, Jose Enrique - Elm, Smith (Barton 68) - Obertan, Suarez, Dembele (Rodriguez 54) - Carroll (Donaldson 83)
Subs not used: Begovic, Edgar, Vanden Borre, Thygesen
Booked: Jones, Smith, Dembele

Scorer: Obertan (27), Rodriguez (63)

West Ham: Green - Chretien (Faubert 17), Tomkins (Scharner 56), Upson, Radoi, Ilunga - Noble, Kovac, Collison - Ashton (Maeirhofer 74), Diamanti
Subs not used: Murray, Barnett, Spector, Raul
Booked: Radoi, Kovac, Ilunga, Noble

Referee: Mike Dean
Attendance: 56,387

We did look better when Gouffran was taken off - something which applies both for today and for Stoke on Monday. So he has to be dropped a right now he looks a shell of the player he was this time last year.

Sissoko is a problem, and he probably justified dropping with the error that led to the goal by Routledge. I don't think we know what his best position is, and I'm not sure he knows anymore either. Cabella also has to be figured out given he's our £12million mega-buy but he has looked almost entirely anonymous, or panicky when a shooting chance goes his way (which happened at least 4 times vs Hull).

There is also still the defence question mark, and as much as it maybe too soon to throw in someone like Remie Streete or Curtis Good, Coloccini and Williamson really need to wake the fuck up.

I think it was less dropping Cabella for Obertan and more the not dropping Gouffran. Least it was in my case given Gouffran doesn't seem to do anything apart from run around a bit. Though at least he didn't nearly concede a penalty again.

I only watched the last 40 minutes but from what I saw, Sissoko was utter shite, Obertan seems to be bouncing back after spending the last two seasons in exile, Sammy Ameobi looked decent when introduced, 2011/12 Cisse might have been found again, and we did cause Swansea's defence legitimate problems.

Bet Ashley fires Pardew anyway just for the lolz.

First half strikes from Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez helped Newcastle squeeze past Sheffield United for back-to-back wins.

Carroll scored for the second game running to get Newcastle on their way, before Suarez added one in added time in the first half to give the Magpies the commanding position in this clash.

Matt Derbyshire scored a goal back for the Blades, but the Yorkshire side aiming for a top half finish in the Premier League were unable to fully make up the deficit, and it meant the Magpies will return from South Yorkshire to Tyneside three points richer.

The visitors will have been relieved to have avoided the potential banana skin, with the Blades having beaten Newcastle at Bramall Lane last season.

With a Champions League place still a possibility for Newcastle as the season moves towards the business stage of proceedings, they were looking for a good start and almost got it in spectacular style, when Gabriel Obertan picked up a pass down the flank and ran past various players in red and white stripes before firing on goal, only for his hit to land in the crowd.

Sheffield United's first chance was created by former Magpie Ryan Taylor, whose corner picked out Andres Lamas, who headed the ball over the top.

Taylor was then close with another attempt, as his cross picked out Robert Koren, only for the Slovenian to head the ball very wide of the mark.

Ben Watson then smashed an effort wide of the mark, before Obertan was presented with a chance at the other end only for his effort to just touch the top of the bar on it way over.

Just shy of the half hour and with the game largely even, it was the visitors who found themselves ahead in proceedings.

Alan Smith picked up the ball in the middle of the park, and was able to advance before finding Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan was given room to locate and then pick out Carroll, who raced through and found the back of the net.

Blades players and fans complained offside against the Newcastle number 9, but appealed in vain, and it was the Magpies fans who were cheering as they had a nice goal.

Former Magpie Taylor had a chance to get his new employers level with the spectacular, but the angles for his volley were all wrong.

Newcastle were very close to a second, with the lively Obertan running past his man and hitting a firm drive that beat Brian Murphy, but not the crossbar and the ball bounced clear before landing back in the arms of the Blades goalkeeper.

Jan Vertonghen was next to try his luck for the visitors, with the Belgian defender heading Elm's corner into the crowd, before Newcastle did find a second breakthrough in first half injury time.

It was a similar creation to the first Newcastle goal. The ball was picked up by Smith, who this time teed up Carroll, and the scorer of Newcastle's first goal laid it back to Suarez. The Uruguayan duly advanced and superbly finished for his second goal in three, amid signs he is finally adjusting to the pace and bluster of English football.

The Blades manager Kevin Blackwell made a triple substitution at half-time to try and bring his team back into the contest, but they almost fell further behind when Murphy made a superb stop to deny Jose Enrique from grabbing number three.

Sheffield United had a penalty appeal denied just after the hour when Vertonghen was ruled not to have fouled substitute Derbyshire despite howls of home protestation, but it was still the hosts who would get the game's third goal.

Adam Johnson's initial cross was only cleared to Matt Killgallon, who nipped in ahead of Obertan before cueing up Koren. A superb first time cross from the wide man was perfect for Derbyshire, who tapped the ball into the back of the net.

A goal back for the Blades that was netted by the former Blackburn striker, and suddenly Blades fans were roaring on their heroes in hope of what had previously seemed to be an unlikely comeback.

Despite that, Newcastle controlled the hosts and did create chances to put the game beyond doubt, although in truth, Carroll and Sebastien Bassong should have done much better with efforts that were presented to them.

Newcastle were very close to being presented with a chance to seal the contest seven minutes from time, and only a superbly timed intervention from Lamas denied Carroll room to get towards the home goal.

Sheffield United spent the remainder of the game attempting in vain to find a way back into the contest, but were finding a tightly regimented Newcastle defence hard to break down, and could only generate one Koren effort from distance that was close, but touched the wrong side of the bar on its way into the stands.

A one goal margin proved to be enough for Newcastle to get another win, as they seek to time a late run of form to perfection and sneak into the Champions League for the first time since 2002/03. Victory over fellow top four rivals West Ham next week would very much confirm the suspicion that Newcastle will be hard to overcome in the top four race.

A top 10 finish is not yet beyond Blackwell and the Blades, and they did at least run their high-flying opponents close, but ultimately failed to have enough to overcome them, and they will hope for better from next weekend's trip to Wolves than they had got at the same opponents in their FA Cup defeat in midweek.

Sheffield United: Murphy - Solly (Morgan 45), Kilgallon, Lamas, Armstrong (Johnson 45) - Taylor, Harper, Watson, Koren - Rhodes (Derbyshire 45), Evans
Subs not used: Bunn, Alfonso, Montgomery, Williamson
Booked: Harper

Scorer: Derbyshire (65)

Newcastle: Krul - Jones, Vertonghen, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Elm, Smith (Barton 65) - Obteran, Suarez (Thygesen 84), Dembele (Rodriguez 90) - Carroll
Subs not used: Begovic, Vanden Borre, Kadar, Donaldson
Booked: Bassong, Smith

Scorer: Carroll (29), Suarez (45+1)

Referee: Keith Stroud
Attendance: 32,609