Robson praises Shearer

Report: Newcastle 2-1 Boro

Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson praised captain Alan Shearer for striking home a late penalty that gave his side a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough.

Shearer, who had gone six games without a goal, made light of the pressure to score the winner in the 83rd minute.

"We have Alan, the right man at the right moment, to take the penalty," said Robson.

"Not many people would have liked to have taken it. There were lots of people with hearts in their mouths."

"But Alan's Alan and he just had the courage, the character to stay calm, make up his mind what to do with it and not change it and put it where it needed be - which is hitting the back of the net," added Robson.

I couldn't really criticise our defenders for the strike Robson on Zenden's goal

Middlesbrough took the lead in the first-half thanks to a sweetly struck shot from Boudewijn Zenden.

But after the break, Newcastle bounced back when Craig Bellamy equalised from close-range in the 63rd minute.

Shearer completed the turnaround when he fired home from the spot after midfielder Darren Ambrose was fouled by Gareth Southgate.

"It was obviously quite tense," said Robson.

"We've won a hard-fought game. They scored what I would consider to be a very good goal.

"I couldn't really criticise our defenders for the strike. I think if we'd scored the same goal we'd have been delighted.

"We said sensible things at half-time. The players needed to be supported and encouraged, which we did.

"We said several things to them and we did actually turn it round."