Town’s run of excellent away form came to an end with a 2-1 loss at Newcastle. Town went ahead in the thirteenth minute through Marcus Stewart, but two controversial Alan Shearer goals won the day for the Geordies.
Town lined up as for the Middlesbrough game which meant no place for David Johnson, Martijn Reuser, James Scowcroft and Titus Bramble.
The early exchanges saw Newcastle have most of the play, but with Town looking good on the break. The Magpies created very little, however and fell behind just before the quarter hour. A good move down the left from Hermann Hreidarsson, impressive down that flank in the first half, ended up with Jermaine Wright on the right-hand side just outside the area. Wright hit a shot, it struck a defender and came back to him. He struck a shot again and this time it was a Shay Given parry which prevented a goal. Sadly for the keeper, but luckily for Town, he dropped the ball and Marcus Stewart picked his spot.
The half was largely being played in midfield and there were few chances. Nine minutes after Town’s goal a long ball was played over the top and found Alan Shearer. The former England striker ran in on goal and then beat Wright. Shearer had looked to be well offside when the ball had been played over the top, something several of the Town players mentioned forcefully to the referee.
The rest of the half saw both teams have periods of possession, but few clear-cut chances. Matt Holland, unusually quiet in midfield, came close with a diving header while at the other end Gary Speed put a header over the bar and Richard Wright made a good save from Didier Domi.
Half-time came with the sides even and all was to play for.
Town started the second half slowly and Newcastle began to impose themselves on the game more than they had in the first half. However, there were little in the way of goalmouth chances and neither side looked likely to score.
This was not to be the case. Once more a ball was played over the top of the Town defence. Shearer ran on with Venus in case. The two players entered the area and Venus dived in for the challenge and appeared to get the ball. Shearer slumped to the ground in his familiar manner and looked round to the referee. It seemed that Alan Wiley had seen Venus’s touch on the ball, but he was merely taking his time in making the decision: a penalty. Once more the Town players went over to discuss the matter with Mr Wiley, but he was not to be moved. Shearer put the penalty to Wright’s right.
Town might have had a penalty themselves a few minutes later when Fabian Wilnis ran into the penalty area and was unceremoniously shoved off the ball. The referee was not pleasing Town fans and the home fans were also getting frustrated with both the referee and his hugely inaccurate linesmen.
Town were getting little change from the Newcastle defence and George Burley moved to change matters. Off came Marcus Stewart and Richard Naylor and on came David Johnson and James Scowcroft came on. However, neither made a massive impression on the game.
Town pushed forward as the match drew to a close, but never really created anything clear. Martijn Reuser, on for Hermann Hreidarsson, failed to put in a decent cross when behind the defence and Mark Venus hit a freekick into Shay Given’s stomach.
The whistle went on a game in which Town never really played badly, but never really created enough for the frontmen. However, but for some poor refereeing and linesmanship, they could have gone away with a win. Both Town old boys were given good receptions by the Town crowd and after the game Bobby Robson praised George Burley and his team. A loss at Newcastle, however, is no disgrace and we have a good opportunity to get back on track at home to Charlton next week.