By PETER DONNELLY
October 19 2002

Newcastle United's winning streak in the league came to an explosive end on Saturday afternoon, going down FIVE 2 to Blackburn Rovers. The only plus was Shearer's two goals, which extended his club goal scoring record to 300+. Newcastle Team: Given, Hughes (Bernard 79), O'Brien, Dabizas, Griffin (Bramble 75), Solano, Jenas, Speed, Robert (Viana 75), Shearer, Bellamy.
Subs not used: Harper, Ameobi.

Disaster struck after only 3 minutes when Nikos Dabizas was sent off for hand ball. Shay Given suprisingly dropped a cross he came for and Yorke was on hand to have a pot at goal. Dabizas was on the line for the ball to strike his arm and off he went. This resulted in a successfully struck penalty, which already was a huge blow for United. It turned out to be the defining moment in game.

Soon after, Sir Bob was still trying to get his defence organaised when Rovers' second went in, with Newcastle's back-line all over the place. It was Dunn again to get his second of the game and things did not look too rosy at all at this stage.

However, shortly before half-time Alan Shearer was presented with the chance to claim his 300th club goal, when referee Mike Riley pointed to the spot for a push on Shearer by Lucas Neill. Big Al duley stepped up and crashed home a great pentalty, scoring yet another goal, resulting in his 300th career club goal. The goal gave United hope for the second half.

When the second-half did get underway it was Newcastle who came out the blocks quickly as they puished on for an equalizer. And 5 minutes into the '45 we indeed got the second goal via, yet again, Alan Shearer. It was a Robert corner who made it and Shearer rose high and stretched to score a fine header. Things were looking good for Newcastle at this stage, despite only having 10 men, as Blackburn looked rattled.

However, it was not to be and Steven Taylor profited from some sloppy defending after sneaking in round the back to make it 3-2 soon after Shearer's equalizer.

The 1 man advanteage started to show and Newcastle, who were not going to come back a second time, just collapsed. We conceded a rather unfortunate but sloppy fourth goal when Given blocked a shot but could only hit it against Griffin who's touch put it in the net.

To complete the misery, United conceded a fifth when Martin Taylor got his second goal from a corner before heading the ball over Given.

You have to wonder how different it might have been with 10 men vs 10, atlthough after Newcastle levelled we fell apart for some strange reason. And basically Given just 'had one'.