Despite making better use of our chances we still conceded possession too easily in that 1st half, when I thought we struggled in midfield.

However, we stuck at it, and getting the 1st goal changed the game in much the same way it did in the home game vs Villa – our confidence visibly soared, we got a grip in midfield and ended the game well on top.

As for Enrique, I thought he was poor to start with, but improved as the game proceeded and he had a really good 2nd half.

Apart from one howler when he passed the ball straight to an opponent well inside our half, I thought Coloccini had a much better game today. N’Zogbia had a very quiet 1st half, but looked more like his old self in the 2nd when he started running at his full-back.

I thought our defence looked well organised, and the problems we did have generally arose from losing possession in bad areas. Bassong had another good game; his uncomplicated style and aerial ability compliments Colloccini’s game very well.

Owen worked his nuts off and took his goal superbly, not to say very bravely as he really got clattered. The Sky geniuses blamed Calamity for Martins’ goal, whereas the ‘slo-mo’ showed he actually dummied James into going to ground before side-footing it past him.

What’s more his 25 yard swinging scorcher in the 1st half that struck the inside of James’ left hand post would have been a candidate for Goal of the Season. I can see some signs that under JFK’s direction Oba is beginning to become a better team player. Let’s just hope he hasn’t incurred a serious injury.

Our first away win, and a very solid team performance against a big, physical team that are usually a handful on their own ground will hopefully provide a turning point in this dreadful season.

Seeing a much stronger team and bench than had been reported only yesterday, also provides a degree of comfort. What’s more Xisco is fit again!

Both United and Martins already agreed in principle earlier, but while Newcastle fighting with relegation the concrete deal was delayed. Oba will have the increase in his weekly wage packet to around £90,000. He also agree to taking out the £13 million buy-out clause.

“Oba has been treated so well by everyone in Newcastle and he is happy and wants to stay. We have been in talks with the club and there are a couple of things to sort out, neither of which will break the deal,” said his agent Chris Nathaniel.

After finishing the deal with Martins, United chairman Chris Mort has vowed to start discuss a new deal with our local lad defender Steven Taylor. He was previously offered a new contract back in September, but Taylor was unimpressed with the deal. Under new manager Kevin Keegan, Taylor having insisted all along his only wish is to stay with the club he supported as a boy.

Another good news also coming from our classy right-back Habib Beye. He’s just arrived last summer from Marseille but recently he has shown his true character and demosntrate his pace when operating as a wing-back under Kevin Keegan. Beye enjoy his new role as much the Geordies love to see more of him so he has spoke of his desire to extend his present deal at Newcastle.

“I want to stay here for a lot of years,” he said as quoted from the Telegraph, “I have two years on my contract and maybe I have to speak with the manager for more years. I love this club and I love the city.”

“When I left Marseilles it was difficult because I played there for four years and everyone liked me. You come here and you don’t know the country and you don’t know the club. But when I came here everyone was friendly and the fans were brilliant. The stadium is incredible and it gives me great pleasure to play there.”

However, Martins later on quickly reveal he is battling with pressures from his loved ones, who would rather prefer him playing for a top side like Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United. Martins also said the fans wanting him to quit because United was not playing in the Champions League.

“Most Nigerians support Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United or Liverpool. You cannot imagine how they are disturbing me,” Martins said but he is ready to stick things out and stay with Newcastle who has offering him a new contract with an improvement of 90-pounds-a-week wages.

Oba has scores 9 goals so far this season for United in all competitions, and seems to enjoy Keegan’s three-pronged attack system that gives him and Owen more of free role position in Newcastle’s 4-3-3 attacking scenario.

For me, if Oba decided to stay and ends his career with Newcastle, he will have the Champions League games not very long again. I also believe he will have more scoring chance next season rather than what he will get if he join those big-four clubs. With Newcastle, he will have the first team place every week for sure.

Meanwhile, today’s Toon transfer rumour mentioning the name of Athletic Bilbao £16m-rated 23-year-old centre-back Fernando Amorebieta. Other speculations are also including an interest from the Kop’s gaffer Rafa Benitez to sign Steve Harper in a possible exchange with Dutch hit man Dirk Kuyt.

The Journal claims that the Magpies was in the lead to bring Venezuelan-born star to St. James’ Park despite numerous interest from other premier league clubs including Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea.

But the Basque Press write that Amorebieta has no immediate intention to end his contract with Bilbao which runs until 2011.

“The speculation is positive but it is not really in my plans to leave Bilbao,” said Amorebieta, “My future is here and I want to progress as a player. I have heard rumours since last summer but nobody has formally contacted my club.”

Nigeria took the lead on 34 minutes through a Yakubu penalty, but Michael Essien’s glancing header put the Black Stars level on the stroke of half-time. Their captain John Mensah was sent off for a professional foul.

After came very close three minutes after the break, Uche’s 40-yard lob was pushed over the bar by a back-pedalling Kingson.

The winner strikes for Ghana came on 82 minutes with Muntari providing the cross inside the box to the unmarked Agogo, who finished from four yards out. The win today over Nigeria was Ghana’s second time at the African Cup.

Both Mali and Nigeria have four points after playing all three group games, but Nigeria gets through to the quarter finals in goal difference.

Mali scores 1 goal from their win against Benin and conceded 3 goals today. Mali’s game against Nigeria ended with a goalles draw.

Meanwhile, Nigeria with four points after the win today has scored 2 and conceded 1, so they have +1 goal difference. Nigeria’s goals came from John Obi Mikel and Yakubu.

Tomorrow, Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye have their own life and death match against South Africa.