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Newcastle dominated the early part of the game and had a number of chances to take the lead.
Gary Speed missed with a header from a Robert corner, when it seemed easier to score – the look on his face summed it up.
Then Jermaine Jenas blasted the ball over after being put through by Nolberto Solano and Shola Ameobi put a weak shot wide from 15 yards, when Alan Shearer seemed to have presented him with a golden opportunity.
Against the run of play Charlton took the lead with their first shot at goal in the 29th minute. Andy O’Brien miscued his header when trying to clear Claus Jensen’s cross, allowing Shaun Bartlett to fire past Shay Given.
Eight minutes later man-of-the-moment Griffin levelled the scores. Our 11th corner of the half was played short to Shearer who laid the ball back to the full-back, who sent a rasping drive past Dean Kiely from 20-yards out.
This fired the visitors into action and Given had to produce two fine saves before half time to deny Bartlett and Jensen.
Immediately after the break United had the ball in the net again, but it ended up with Ameobi booked for punching the ball over the line.
But Newcastle had taken control of the game and Robert forced Kiely into a superb save with a long-range shot.
The Frenchman did not have to wait long though and in the 59th minute Ameobi put him clear and he fired past Kiely from 15 yards out.
We poured forward to try and clinch the game and Robert and Ameobi both missed golden opportunities, while Gary Speed was denied by a last ditch challenge from Luke Young.
But Charlton were dangerous on the break and Aaron Hughes produced a superb block to deny Gary Rowett at the death.
But a draw would have been harsh on us and with results going our way elsewhere this was a good day.
Win our game in hand against Bolton and we would be in fourth.
One notable thing was the presence of Michael Chopra on the bench, although he didn’t manage to get a run out. But with Bellamy set for a spell on the sidelines, he will surely get his chance soon.
Man-of-the-match Laurent Robert
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