Newcastle United 2-1 Sheffield United - The Daily Mirror match report
Published 23:00 05/04/10 By Simon Bird
Grit, toil, endeavour and spirit won Newcastle promotion.
So rather inappropriately their elevation to the top flight was confirmed during a tame pre-match warm-up.
The tears of 316 days ago when the Geordies wept as they were relegated at Aston Villa on the last day of the season were forgotten.
Kevin Nolan’s second-half overhead kick, his 14th of a fine season, grabbed the win against Sheffield United and made sure the Easter rising was complete.
This was no riotous promotion party, but the celebrations and singing were hearty as Chris Hughton led his side back into the Premier League, and all its television riches and global exposure.
Perhaps the lack of madness inside and out of St James’ Park was born of the knowledge that the job is only half done.
The Blades were doing their best to poop the party, scoring first through Richard Cresswell, and making Newcastle battle to preserve their unbeaten home record.
Peter Lovenkrands’ penalty levelled the scores, to keep spirits up, and Nolan was the hero of the night.
Newcastle were promoted at 7.10pm with the players watching rivals Nottingham Forest fail to beat Cardiff at the City Ground in the dressing room.
In total they were out of the Premier League for 316 days. Or more accurately 7,584 hours.
No team has ever returned so comprehensively since the Premier League was formed. Newcastle were up with SIX games to spare.
Owner Mike Ashley, who is unlikely to outline his plans for the future until the end of the season, celebrated by shedding his coat and going native.... wearing just a white shirt in the directors’ box on a chilly night. Up for a pint in the Bigg Market to signal his rehabilitation and appetite for the top flight perhaps?
It made for a relaxed warm-up, and a hearty ovation when Hughton’s side ran on before kick-off with the Geordie crowd expecting a promotion party on and off the pitch.
It didn’t turn out that way in the first half which fell flat after an initial rally from the celebrating XI.
The visitors showed signs of promise with some sweeping counter-attacks and possession with Darius Henderson excelling in attack.
But it was Creswell who opened the scoring after 22 minutes with a towering leap. His head was level with the crossbar when he cushioned James Harper’s corner past the other Harper, Steve.
Not what the Geordie faithful wanted to watch ahead of a trip to the pub to celebrate, but the situation was retrieved just before half time.
Referee Andy Hall had already lectured Blades skipper Chris Morgan about his wrestling with home striker Andy Carroll.
Yet when Newcastle won another corner just before half-time, Morgan clearly held the big Gerordie once more, and Hall pointed straight to the spot.
Lovenkrands netted for his 15th in 29 appearances of a fine season.
Wayne Routledge wasted Newcastle best early chance firing over when clear on goal, and Danny Guthrie fired wide of the left post.
Routledge and Lovenkrands again blazed over and Mike Williamson headed just wide. Steve Simonsen saved well from Lovenkrands before half time and Newcastle needed a brave block to keep out Marcel Seip’s drive.
The result didn’t matter. The post-match party did. And what matters most is what happens next in the quest to stay in the top flight next season.
Five key games in Newcastle's promotion push
Newcastle promotion heroes rated
'Sir John Hall was singing in the stand, Kevin Keegan was dancing around and the fans were euphoric'
Hooray the lads... Newcastle are back in Toon for the Premier League - Simon Bird's weekly column
