Robson: Speed & Shearer

By Carys Baptist
April 15 2004

Gary Speed and Alan Shearer were last night the main cause of Bobby Robson’s happiness as that rocketed Newcastle United into the UEFA cup Semi Finals.

"It was the two old-timers - I suppose three, really, if I include me, but I'm the old, old-timer," Said Robson

Skipper Alan Shearer started the game by beating the keeper from a Robert Corner at the near post. This was Shearer’s 6^th goal in Europe this season.

Kezman took PSV level with a penalty in the 52^nd minute but Gary Speed regained the lead in the 66^th minute with another goal again from a Robert corner as he too beat the keeper.

"Alan's is a classic goal - he does it all the time, loses his marker and puts it in the net. Gary's is probably a bit more spectacular because of the prodigious leap, and he's brave and he's full of courage and he's only looking for the ball.

He's climbed very high and he's buried it. He's been doing that all of his career, but I guess that will be one of the best goals he's scored and one of the most important."

The team created other chances those coming from Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Jenas but Speed’s goal now sees Newcastle United playing Marseille next Thursday.

So the “oldies” of the team shouldn’t, necessarily always be replaced by youngsters. Rumours having been flying all over the place this season as to whether speed should be dropped because he is out of form or whether Shearer has it in him for another season – of course he does! – I think they have shown they have a little way to go yet.