Magpies stun Rams

Shearer scores from the spot for Newcastle

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Newcastle 1-0 Derby

Newcastle's in-form keeper Shay Given pulled off an exceptional penalty save to help his side beat Derby and move joint top of the Premiership - for 24 hours at least.

Given had seen striker Alan Shearer give Newcastle the lead with a 30th minute penalty before facing a Derby spot-kick in the second-half.

Derby's Fabrizio Ravanelli picked himself up after being brought down by home defender Andy O'Brien to take the visitors' penalty.

He's (Given) performed very consistently and highly all the time

Newcastle boss Bobby Robson

But, even though Ravanelli produced a well-struck penalty, Given saved with a dive to his left to deny Derby an equaliser.

The win moved Newcastle into third place and level on points with leaders Liverpool and second-placed Leeds.

But Newcastle were in subdued form early on as they traded chances with Derby.

Given was forced to save from Ravanelli before Shearer was narrowly high with a chipped effort at the other end.

Ravanelli (right) missed Derby's penalty.

Derby captain Daryll Powell seized on a mistake by midfielder Robert Lee to produce a surging run on goal before seeing his effort saved by Given.

Newcastle midfielder Gary Speed's header was well saved by Poom but this kick-started a spell of Newcastle pressure which led to the penalty.

Defender Riggott was harshly punished for a challenge on Frenchman Laurent Robert in the box.

And Shearer made up for the penalty miss against Fulham last time out by stepping up to send keeper Poom the wrong way.

If we can continue to play like that, then I'm convinced we will move away from the bottom

Derby manager Colin Todd

Derby's play began to deteriorate but they were given the chance to pull level when Andy O'Brien pulled down Ravanelli to concede a penalty.

Ravanelli missed and the visitors did go on to threaten the Newcastle goal, but the home side also had chances to increase their lead before gaining an unconvincing win.

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Newcastle: Given, Hughes, O'Brien, Dabizas, Elliott, Solano, Lee, Speed, Robert, Shearer, Bellamy. Subs: Acuna, Harper, Lua-Lua, Ameobi, Distin.

Derby: Poom, Riggott, Mawene, Higginbotham, Grenet, Zavagno, Burley, Powell, Ducrocq, Carbone, Ravanelli. Subs: Oakes, Christie, Burton, Murray, Boertien.

Referee: R Styles (Waterlooville).