Newcastle United 1 Leeds United 1: Alan Shearer has laid back, thought of England and decided that he will not make an international comeback this summer in Portugal.
Shearer gave Sven Goran Eriksson another reason last night to think that is a great pity.
Drilling a superb goal in the fourth minute, his 16th in the Premiership this season and 17th overall, Shearer was the only Newcastle United player capable of supplying a finishing touch. Had they another striker who could score with such confidence this would have been over by the interval.
Newcastle's dominance was overwhelming, with Kieron Dyer again shining in attack. But the margin remained the same and Leeds clawed their way back in and made the second half uncomfortable.
Unfortunately for Leeds that is not enough in their predicament and after an 11th defeat in 20 matches relegation looms ever closer. Tottenham at Elland Road on Saturday is assuming huge importance for Eddie Gray, his team and the club.
With no Alan Smith, due to his suspension, Leeds had Mark Viduka alone up front once again. He was the visitors' leading scorer on the pitch with four. Leeds had little time to think about that, however, or any of their many other problems. Just four minutes in and it was clear Newcastle were determined to build upon their victory at Southampton in the FA Cup on Saturday.
As at St Mary's Dyer was once again partnering Shearer and with virtually his first touch Dyer once again justified his advanced position. Receiving a fast pass from Aaron Hughes, Dyer met it with a first-time flick and spin.
The ball flew to Nolberto Solano, who looked up, saw Shearer moving into the Leeds area and slid a perfect-weight pass into his path. Shearer would have been expected to control the ball and decide on his options. Instead he struck it instantly, and ferociously, and from an unpromising angle the ball screeched past Paul Robinson into the far corner.
Newcastle were flying with Solano, Jermaine Jenas and Gary Speed bursting from midfield. Dyer missed a useful opening in the 16th minute when released by Laurent Robert and two minutes later Robinson was at full stretch to save from Jenas.
In the meantime Leeds lost David Batty to a mysterious injury and could not gain a foothold.
Released by a Shearer header, Dyer should have made it 2-0 but may have been impeded by Robinson as he charged through, and just before half time Shearer, unmarked, missed from less than 10 yards.
In the last few seconds of the first half there was another chance for Dyer and again he nudged it wide with Robinson beaten.
It meant that Leeds began the second half in contention and Viduka beat Titus Bramble on the byline after the restart to set up Dominic Matteo but the Leeds captain blasted over.
It was not the signal for a Leeds recovery, though. Aside from a 62nd-minute Viduka header that barely troubled Shay Given, it was all Newcastle. When Speed then thundered a header from a Robert corner against a Leeds upright, the whole of St James' pondered on goals not scored as well as Shearer's.
When Solano then had a volley charged down by Robinson and Matthew Kilgallon and Leeds introduced Michael Bridges, home anxiety increased. Bridges was to get one chance but he fluffed it.
NEWCASTLE: Given; Hughes, Woodgate, Bramble, Bernard, Solano (Ambrose 81), Jenas, Speed, Robert (Viana 80), Shearer, Dyer. Subs Not Used: O'Brien, Harper, LuaLua. Goals: Shearer 4.
LEEDS: Robinson; Kelly, Duberry, Kilgallon, Harte, Pennant, Matteo, Batty (Olembe 30), Johnson (Bridges 69), Milner (Sakho 89), Viduka. Subs Not Used: Carson, Richardson. Booked: Kelly.
Referee: P Dowd
