Shearer’s 400th Helps Defeat Saints

By Nick Raynor
January 15 2005

Newcastle beat Southampton 2-1 thanks to 2 first half goals, one a penalty from Alan Shearer, his 400th career goal.

It started badly for Saints as goalkeeper Antti Niemi left the field injured and Paul Smith was forced to wear the gloves.

 

It took just 7 minutes for Newcastle to get on the scoresheet after a long ball from Titus Bramble found Shola Ameobi but he was hauled down by Davenport and the referee had no choice but to award the penalty.

 

There was no doubt over who was to be the taker and Shearer made no mistake in netting his 400^th career goal.

 

Newcastle pressed on, Bowyer, Ameobi and Bellamy all nearly getting themselves on the scoresheet.

 

Kieron Dyer was showing his form of past and nearly netted his 1^st league goal this season but an acrobatic save from Paul Smith kept him out.

 

Steven Taylor was also keen to score and nearly did if it was not for team-mate, Jean-Alain Boumsong blocking his shot.

 

Newcastle were finally rewarded for their efforts when Titus Bramble showed the awareness of a stirker as he put Babayaro’s free kick in the back of the net at the near post.

 

Newcastle became nervous again as Saints got one back in the form of Peter Crouch due to poor defending.

 

The Geordie fans were worried as they had seen their side lose the lead so many times this season but Newcastle kept their momentum after the break.

 

Jenas went close and Bellamy failed to score after a Lee Bowyer corss came his way.

 

Shearer, returning from injury, could not finish the game and was subbed off on the hour and Newcastle could not find the killer goal.

 

Newcastle managed to hold on for the 3 points, despite Saints going close at the death.

 

FINAL SCORE: 2-1