Newcastle 3 - 1 Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough traveled to the North-East to face Newcastle. Both of them who are involved in the relegation battle. Middlesbrough,Newcastle and West Brom all sit on 31 points so any points accumulated by either of the teams would surely be a great boost to their confidence and help their cause for survival.

Middlesbrough went up as early as the 3rd minute through an unlucky own goal to concede for Habib Beye.The ball fell in his path as he ran forward after a save by Steve Harper which was shot from a close range by Tuncay. Middlesbrough 1-0.

Viduka rattled the bar after a few minutes and the rebound fell to Steve Taylor who could only blaze his shot over the goal.

However he made amends in the 9th minute courtesy a great header which wasn't well marked by the Middlesbrough defence.However Nolan has been accused of taking a Middlesbrough defender off but wasn't spotted by the referee.Newcastle 1-1 Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough's Emnes rued a decent chance to put his team ahead as he did the hard part to get past the Newcastle defence but only to see his shot go wide.

The teams entered the tunnel with the scoreline reading 1-1.

Middlesbrough were the more attacking of the sides coming into the second half.

The first real chance of the second half came Gary O'Neil's way whose shot from the edge of the area was well punched by Steve Harper.

Shearer then made a very crucial and huge change with Martins coming on for Owen.This paid dividends for the magpies as the Nigerian scored within a minute of coming on in the 71st minute.His scuffed shot saw the back of the net.However,There were appeals of fouls by Gareth Southgate and TV footage showed a Nolan offside before the ball fell to Obafemi.2-1 to Newcastle.

Newcastle ensured the win through a Nolan cross which fell to Loverkrands in the box who gave no chance to Brad Jones in the 86th minute. 3-1 to Newcastle.

The dominance for Newcastle continued in the 88th minute as Middlesbrough pressed forward and left gaps at the back.However Andy Caroll who came on for Mark Viduka couldn't capitalise as Jones came forward to block his effort.

The win puts Newcastle on 34points on equal points with Hull City and 2 points behind Sunderland.Newcastle climb out of the relegation zone only on goal difference though.On the other hand,Middlesbrough need to bring something out of their next two games against Aston Villa and West Ham.