The game actually going in high tempo with both teams have creating some chances in the first half, but it’s normally that the home side is getting the best of it the most, but thanks to our both full backs who done their job perfectly.

Both Danny Simpson and Steven Taylor have a breathtaking moment when they have to make a critical save infront of an empty Newcastle’s goal from Bothroyd and Wright-Phillips efforts. Tim Krul was twice making mistakes to go up too far leaving his post.

We also have two or three chances to go up in first half through Leon Best. But, in my honest opinion, I was quite impressed with Obertan’s appearance, He’s doing pretty well and keep progressing.

From the homeside, I was noted that Taarabt and Wright-Phillips are our serious threats, especially when WP makes me hold my breath with his long ball chips into our empty net, thanks to Steven Taylor who heads the ball off the line.

Not a similar scenario that I would have been expected to see in the second half, as we are looking surprisingly tired, strange but we are usually playing much better after the break but that not seen during the second half at Loftus Road.

In fact the only serious threat that we created was when Jonas moving in too quickly before the ball finally arriving, and since that we are very rare to make any serious test to the home defense. I also see that Tiote will have to wait and working more harder to catch-up with his previous level of fitness as well as his skill.

All in all, a quite decent game to watch and satisfactory result for both team I thought, although not as good as our last game against Fulham and I was hoping that we could land in the top four spot with a win tonight, but to keep the unbeaten record so far was a good achievement too.

Until then and thanks for keep coming. Howay the Lads!

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.

I have to say that I am relieved about this. He is a huge part of Newcastle’s future and if Kevin Keegan would have lost him at this stage – there would have been uproar amongst the fans. In fairness to Taylor, he has always said that Newcastle were the club for him and as a local boy, his commitment to the club cannot be underestimated. He has always given 100% since emerging from the academy and has a big part to play next season.

One thing he has proved, is that he is a leader of men. Taylor has captained the England Under 21 side on a number of occasions and I will always remember how he scored a penalty for the Under 21 side in the European Championships last summer despite being injured. He put in a heroic performance for his team and it was a shame they eventually lost of penalties. Although when an England team are faced with a penalty shoot-out, all football odds will tell you that they are expected to lose!

At 22-years-old, now is the time for Taylor to really push on as a player. He has enough experience to be the main man in Newcastle’s back four. Under Sam Allardyce, his confidence undoubtedly went down and he was out of the side. Now Keegan is at the club though, he will be starting the season as one of the first choice centre backs – now it’s up to him to keep it. Trying to shore up Newcastle’s defence is a tough task for anyone, but Taylor is capable and I hope he delivers. He deserves to succeed.

One thing for sure, is that this coming season is a big one for him. If he can consistently turn in positive performances for Newcastle, then he will give himself a chance of getting into Fabio Capello’s England squad. Fair enough, the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Jon Terry, Jonathan Woodgate, Ledley King, Sol Campbell, Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott and Matthew Upson are ahead of him in the pecking order at the moment, but Taylor does have something in his favour – Stuart Pearce. The England Under-21 manager selected Taylor as his captain and obviously rates him as a professional and a player.

If Taylor can be a commanding figure for his club team and continue to lead by example for the Under-21’s – I am sure Pearce will put in a good word for him. Who knows maybe Taylor could even captain his country one day? Maybe I am getting slightly ahead of myself!

One thing I am optimistic about is Taylor having a good season this year. In fact, I would even like to make a bold statement about him. If I was to bet on the Premier League team of the season, I would fancy his chances of being there – here’s hoping anyway!

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.”

Kevin Keegan will taking care of the geordie lad after strengthening Newcastle’s current squad before the transfer window ended in seven days.

“I like Steven Taylor,” Keegan said, “I I thought Taylor was tremendous, and I have been very impressed with him every time I have seen him play for a long time now.”

Currently, Kevin Keegan and his current staff made the top priority to identifying potential new signings and bringing them in before the end of the January transfer window. King Kev still focusing on United back four, and he knows very well how Newcastle United’s title hope was ended back in 1996.

Taylor has been turned down the new contract deal for him back in September because he felt it unfavourably, compared with some of the Newcastle’s other youngsters’ new contracts.

“Anything like that won’t even be considered by myself for a while,” Keegan told the Chronicle today, “That’s no disrespect to any players who have got contract problems, as I don’t know who they are. I’ve got other priorities but I am sure we can sort it out.”