BIRMINGHAM 0 NEWCASTLE 2

PREMIERSHIP REVIEW

Newcastle desperately needed to go into their latest Champions League clash, against Juventus, on the back of a win – and they got it at St Andrews to leap into tenth place in the table.

Juve in Turin, of course, will be a completely different kettle of fish, but Sir Bobby Robson reckons his side can glean a huge amount of confidence from this morale-boosting win ahead of the Euro clash.

Goals by Nolberto Solano and substitute Shola Ameobi secured victory for Newcastle and Robson said: "This was a big result for us, especially when you consider that in their last home game Birmingham beat Aston Villa 3-0.

"We have been a bit vulnerable at the back but we held a better line. We had a poor start, but there is still a long way to go and masses of games to play."

Looking ahead to Tuesdays Champions League encounter, Robson added: "When you go abroad, you have got to play teams who have finished one, two and three in those countries. There are no easy matches.

"We played well against Feyenoord and havent lost confidence. We will go to Juventus full of confidence and put on a show. There is an amazing amount to play for and we are not out of it."

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce had no complaints about the result and said: "The better team won. We are disappointed because we have set our standards and for the first time really we have not lived up to them especially in the first half."

Southampton boss Gordon Strachan was ruing two lost points after seeing Wayne Bridges 82nd minute strike wiped out by Youri Djorkaeff in injury time, with almost the last kick of the game.

Strachan said his team lacked professionalism and added: "We controlled the game in the first half. They changed it in the second half and used their power and height. I felt we coped with that quite well. We were under a bit of pressure but you expect that.

"We did a lot right but a lack of professionalism at the end just cost us two points. It hurts badly especially when you have a long journey in front of you like we do.

"I would have settled for a draw on the balance of play but I have been on the end of unfair results before and I thought it was our turn to win one that way. Its a blow but well bounce back."

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce admitted: "I would have been sick and totally dejected if we had got nothing out of the game. But thats how cruel the Premiership can be to you. Good performances are always important but will never be as crucial as results.

So United are on the wane, are they? Try telling that to Charlton boss Alan Curbishley and the Valley faithful who witnessed a second half comeback which showed United are anything but a spent force.

Paul Scholes wiped out Claus Jensens cracker before Ryan Giggs and super sub Ruud Van Nistelrroy, with his first Premiership goal of the season from open play, wrapped up the points.

Curbishley confirmed: "You cant write Manchester United off. You under-estimate them at your peril. Its not a case of them being on the wane but rather that Liverpool and Arsenal have both improved over the past two to three years. United are still a great side."

As for his own team, Curbishley added: "Ive told the players that they have had all the plaudits for the past two to five years and now they will get a bit of stick. After four successive home defeats we have got to get our act together.

"We feel deeply upset with this result. They were too calamitous pieces of defending for their first two goals. On both occasions, two of our players went for the same ball. Individual mistakes are costing us at the moment but weve got to make sure that we keep on going."

Sir Alex Ferguson said: "When you come to Charlton you know what you are going to get – a game like that. The first half was a real ding-dong game, but we were better in the second.

"The players showed a lot of character, but the introduction of Ruud Van Nistelrooy made all the difference. With his presence and movement off the ball we started to knit it together and we deserved the win in the end."