Newcastle 3-1 Middlesbrough: Shearer's Successor Lifts Newcastle Out of Relegation Zone

St. James' Park erupted after Mike Dean's final whistle signaled Newcastle's victory over Middlesbrough. Newcastle had to come from behind to get the job done on Monday night. Boro striker Tuncay Sanli scored an early, scrappy goal to give his side the lead. Newcastle-bred centre-back Steven Taylor then pounced on a well-placed Guthrie corner to level the score.

In the 70th minute Alan Shearer made a crucial substitution by taking off Michael Owen and replacing his former teammate with Obafemi Martins. After being on the pitch for 55 seconds, the Nigerian thunderbolt scored the tie-breaking goal in front of the crazed Newcastle supporters. Danish forward Lovenkrands sealed the deal in the 84th minute, securing the three points for the bar coded outfit.

How fitting it is that the Newcastle number 9 became Newcastle's savior. Just three years ago Shearer called it quits from the Premiership. The man that so boldly took his number was Obafemi Martins, a player who has been on-and-off since his Tyneside arrival from the San Siro. However, tonight the good omens associated with the coveted number were displayed as Martins netted the all-important goal.

This match was the apex of the relegation situation in the Premiership. With two matches to play, goal differential is certainly going to play a major factor.

Bottom of Table:

P GD Pts

16. Sunderland -17 36

17. Newcastle -17 34

18. Hull City -24 34
19. Middlesbrough -28 31
20. West Brom -29 31

Matches Remaining:

Sunderland

@ Portsmouth

v. Chelsea

Newcastle

v. Fulham

@ Aston Villa

Hull City

@ Bolton

v. Manchester United

Middlesbrough

v. Aston Villa

@ West Ham Utd

West Brom

v. Liverpool

@ Blackburn

Today Hull City entered the relegation zone for the first time during the season. With these fixtures in mind, you make the call.