WEST HAM United did not just score a goal at St James' Park, they provided enticing video evidence for all those who question Newcastle United's credentials as Premiership champions. The move will be re enacted on the training, grounds of England throughout the winter here, coaches will insist, as the sleet smatters against red raw fees, is Kevin Keegan's fatal attraction.
By flanking a back three with two attack minded wingers such as David Ginola and Keith Gillespie, Newcastle's manager is gambling on attacking flair to an astounding degree. When it works, it is breathtaking; when it fails, as it did on Saturday, he stands accused of wallowing in attacking excess.
Tim Breacker bullied his way past Ginola on the right; Keith Rowland headed in at the far post with Gillespie on walkabout. Simple. Newcastle's wingers try to defend, which is some improvement on last season, but to expect them to relish it (as did a magnificently combative West Ham side) would be to disregard their natural inclinations.
Keegan, with admirable candour, does not just concede the risk, he flaunts it. "I will take full responsibility for the goal," he said. "I choose the system, and, when Ginola defends at left back and Gillespie at right back, it is not ideal. But we did hit the woodwork three times."
It is an enriching philosophy - a manager who responds to a bad defensive goal by concluding that Newcastle should have scored more themselves. In the first hall, Albert prodded against the bar from five yards; in the second, Lee's scuffing drive struck a post and Watson headed against the bar.
For all their ceaseless pressure, with Batty outstanding in central midfield, only eight minutes remained when Newcastle squeezed an equaliser. Beardsley had had a shocker, engulfed by West Ham's midfield before halftime, lost as Asprilla's attacking partner afterwards. Then he ratted an opening on the left of the area, beat Miklosko with a low drive to register his 200th league goal, and disappeared beneath his team mates instead.
"He admitted that he was having a nightmare at half time, and it got worse, praised Keegan. "But his enthusiasm never wavers."
Keegan's positive outlook pervades St James's. "I'd fling Albert forward," shouted one fan, of virtually Newcastle's only reliable defender as they pressed for an equaliser. Why not add Srnicek, the clowning Czech goalkeeper, while he was at it? And, minutes after West Ham's goal, both Albert and Peacock were tearing towards the West Ham goal as if oblivious to the fact that there was still three quarters of the match left.
If Newcastle's ability to defend remains the question of their Premiership challenge, their most pressing problems lie further forward. They must face Metz in France in tomorrow's UEFA Cup tie without their £22 million striking partnership.
