We started rather tentatively, and although never under any real pressure, didn’t turn on the class until after the first goal went in. From then on the confidence started to flow – over-confidence at times – and the result was never then in doubt.

Coloccini mirrored this progression perfectly. As usual, he started tentatively, allowing his man to bully him. But then after 20 mins or so he seemed to realise that he was actually a better player than his striker and the confidence seemed to flood back.

Towards the end of the first half, under real pressure, he flicked the ball up and over his opponent who ended up flat on his @rse while FC calmly trapped the ball and brought it away. That’s by far the best thing I’ve seen from this guy, and it had me wondering whether there may actually be a player under that curly mop – at least at this level.

We defended better than last week, but against poorer opposition, although over-confidence caused us to give several soft corners away in the 2nd half. Harper had very little to do – I don’t think he made a single save. Taylor gave another strong performance in what tragically looks like being his farewell to SJP. Very sad.

We controlled m/f, and with it the game. Barton was in and out, but still contrived to play several terrific passes. Smith again patrolled the space in front of the back 4 to good effect, and after managing to get himself booked for two wild challenges he settled down and had another powerful game.

Shola was Shola, but this time scored 3 goals. His first was a slightly mistimed header from a brilliant cross from Enrique, his 2nd a superb diving header back across the keeper at the end of a thrilling passing move and another tremendous cross, this time from Barton. The 3rd was a calmly converted penalty given for handball – about the first decision that went our way.

A good atmosphere created by a small crowd, and a comfortable win – achieved against the backdrop of some anti-Ashley chanting and culminating in what looked like the sad goodbyes of one of our own.

Sadly, NUFC has returned to being a selling club, with Steven Taylor seemingly preparing to trod the path previously taken by Waddle, Beardsley and Gazza.

Despite the high stakes and the unbelievable tension, it was a great little contest, and a pretty good spectacle. Littered with errors, yes, but that was inevitable given the recent form of both teams and the position they find themselves in.

The committment of the black ‘n whites has frequently been called into question this season – but not tonight. In fact, I couldn’t fault any of the 22 players for their committment to their respective causes.

Despite getting off to the worst possible start, the Boro players seemed the more nervous, and I think the atmosphere may just have affected them a little. We had the best of the 1st half without creating a whole lot, and too often leaving ourselves vulnerable on the break.

Guthrie was our main creative influence via his corners, which were generally excellent – with Taylor thumping one in for the equaliser. He was finding the ideal corner – the one that only just eludes the 1st man.

As has been the case recently, we started running out of steam around the hour. For a spell then Boro got on top, and things began to look rather ominous. For whatever reason, Jonas stopped playing – either fatigue or possibly an injury – and he and Owen were replaced with Lovenkrands and Martins – and who proved to be the match-winners.

Martins was really lively, and made an immediate impact with the Boro defenders tiring. Lovenkrands ended the contest finishing off a good move with a neat finish.

Our much-criticised midfield did really well tonight, all working their socks off for the cause. With Beye and Duff both getting forward whenever possible, we were often at full stretch defensively, particularly on the break, and several last-ditch tackles were needed to prevent a second Boro goal, which would probably have proven terminal. However, Harper was never under any concerted pressure. This was probably just as well as he seemed to me to be particularly nervy tonight.

Viduka was quite superb up front, and showed precisely what we have missed because of his fragile fitness. Owen, I’m afraid was largely anonymous again, apart from one guided header from a Viduka cross that brought a good save. He just looks lost, and rather than simply having ‘lost a yard’ of pace, he now looks utterly pedestrian. He’s a very sad sight actually.

I thought Damien Duff was a revelation at LB. He defended really well, made tackles, and won a surprising number of balls in the air for a midget. He was my MOTM.

I was dreading going along tonight, and went fearing the worst. In the event, it turned out to be quite a spectacle; one I’ll remember for quite a while. For once, our heroes didn’t let us down, and thrillingly have created a chink of light. The question is can they take advantage of tonight’s massive effort and make the final breakthrough?

At least they’ve given themselves a chance – and all of us renewed hope.

Having said that we competed for an hour, the stark reality is that yet again we created virtually nothing, with Petr Cech being virtually unemployed. We did have one chance cleared off the line in the 2nd half – I think from Owen – and there are suggestions the ball was over the line. I guess that’s the way it goes when you’re down at the bottom.

The decisive goal that totally changed the game was once again the result of pure comedy defending, with Coloccini yet again culpable. Hopefully, Shearer will dump this clown as soon as he has two alternative CB choices.

Although we did creditably for an hour, tbh I’m struggling to think of one player who actually played well for us. Habib Beye did quite well defensively, although he was involved in several early mix ups caused by poor communication between our players. Nicky Butt had a reasonable game, despite his usual quota of shocking distribution. Michael Owen worked his socks off between m/f and up front, but in truth with little impact.

On the negative side, Enrique was back to being infuriatingly inconsistent, Duff – a 1st half substitute for Lovenkrands – was hopeless, as was Martins, and even Jonas was a disappointment. Nolan and Ryan Taylor worked hard for the cause, but the bald truth I’m afraid is that they simply have not improved the team. For completeness, Harper made a couple of good saves, but once again his kicking was generally poor.

Worryingly, Lovenkrands left the field on a stretcher connected to an oxygen cylinder. It looked like a rib injury, and he seemed to be struggling to get his breath. Hopefully, it isn’t as bad as it looked.

Perhaps the expected anti-climax to a few days that have provided some temporary hope. However, we were playing a very decent Chelsea team today, and we now need the players to dig deep against the lesser teams. It’s not looking good.

Times online has giving example from as long as fifteen years ago while Nottingham Forest were also been said as a team which is too good to go down. The fact that Brian Clough’s final season is ending in relegation for Forest doesn’t have any relation in whatsoever with Newcastle United now.

They said Newcastle can be described as having a freefall, without a single league win since mid-December, collecting only three points from a possible 30 and only above Reading in the form table. My question is: So What?!

“Everything boils down to results and, at this moment in time, Newcastle aren’t getting them,” Shearer said. “But I don’t think they’ll have any chance of going down. If you go through the squad they should not be in the position they’re in.”

Shearer admits the United team confidence is at a low ebb but he still feel Newcastle is a much better team than those around us at the bottom. We still have games against any teams who are in lower position and what the hell on earth we can not have something out from them.

This Saturday we will have home match to Blackburn Rovers and for those who still believe in the opportunity, that game is the one that we should have win about.

Shearer said: “It’s very winnable and things will change once they get that first win. Confidence is a huge thing in football and it can make you a much better player and give you an extra 30 or 40 per cent, which is what Newcastle need.”

Keegan targeted four wins from the remaining 11 games, and no matter what happened to this team, even we have to go down I don’t give a sh*t to what the papers prediction or considered about how we need 19 games previously to get four wins.

I think Keegan is looking like yesterday’s man at present and he hasn’t had a chance to breath, we are relegation bad. He came in and it’s nice to have a popular person in charge, a person who wouldn’t harm our club for personal gain but!

Jesus, his job at the moment is mighty difficult. He’s got to build an entire team and squad in a club that is less than stable with a reputation for stupidity and abject failure. Furthmore, given any circumstance it collapses into high comedy tragedy.

Newcastle’s the job is a huge one, can he do it? He’ll try his level best I’m positive. What he has on his side is the love of the majority of NUFC supporters. However, if he makes stupid errors of judgement or drops major bollocks then love will turn to scorn – just the same as if anybody else were to feck up day to day.

I watch with interest the day to day of KK’s time. The only other person who’ll get the same level of initial good will from the majority is Shearer (Am I right here?). I hope to hell Shearer is studying NUFC’s progress, or demise, from this unwelcome position we have today with keenness and clarity of thought. He may find himself facing day to day scorn.

How will KK and AS deal with unpopularity? If we find they just don’t need it – KK has previous, and AS has a £50 million stash – then what?