Robson singles out Given

Report: Boro 0-1 Newcastle

Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson singled out goalkeeper Shay Given for special praise after the Irishman kept Middlesbrough out at the Riverside.

Shola Ameobi's goal handed Newcastle the three points but they had their keeper to thank for some spectacular saves.

Given pulled off three superb first-half stops from Gaizka Mendieta, Szilard Nemeth and Franck Queudrue to earn a clean sheet in his 99th consecutive Premiership appearance.

"Shay made outstanding saves, came for crosses and kicked well when he had to," Robson said.

"He made three reaction saves - the first save of the match from the header and then another save when he came out and made the fella hit him and then the third from another header."

Given was ably assisted by defender Titus Bramble, who led a concerted rearguard in the second half.

"Titus was again outstanding and cool - very cool sometimes, quite frankly," added Robson.

It's not dropping for us at the right time, but I can't fault the performance, I can't fault the attitude of the players Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren More Boro reaction

"Once, midway through the first half, he was in between the two centre-forwards and he just cushioned a header back to Shay."

Robson acknowledged Boro had made life for his players, and was delighted with a third successive victory which further eased the pressure of recent weeks.

"I said to our players before the match that it would give us a massive lift," he said. "Both teams needed to win and have a victory, and it's gone to us.

"What we've given is not a pretty performance, but we've given one of those 'over my dead body' performances which from time to time you need to give when you're in our position.

"We needed to do that - and we did it against what I think is quite a good Middlesbrough team. They won't lose many matches here this season.

"I understand how Steve McClaren might be feeling. It was just a narrow win. Our defensive work has won us the game."

The victory was United's third in succession without conceding a goal, but Robson is refusing to get carried away.

"We're on a little run, but there's a long way to go yet," he said. "We haven't got to just think we've turned the corner."

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