Shearer Blaming The Referee Is The Easy Way Out!

there was a foul on goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer by Kevin Nolan, although television replays suggested otherwise.

Perhaps significantly, Webb was fourth official at St James' Park on Monday evening when Nolan's block on Matthew Bates allowed Steven Taylor to equalise and set his side on the road to a 3-1 derby win over Middlesbrough.

But too many Newcastle players fell apart when Fulham scored, and atmosphere seemed to go against them rather than give them heart for a fight.

Michael Owen wasn't even on the bench, for reasons I'm sure only he knows, but it was no surprise to many in the crowd who feel he is still smarting after being dropped for the visit to Anfield.

One refereeing blunder against Fulham doesn't paint the picture of our season.

We got the rub of the green with refereeing decisions against the Smogs, so how can we complain against Fulham.

The fact remains - 37 games gone and we are in a relegation position - and how many referees are we going to blame for that?

Shearer: "We are bitterly disappointed at the disallowed goal.

"I have seen it and I can't see anything that's wrong with it.

"Probably what has happened is the goal on Monday night from Steven Taylor has been highlighted that much this week that one or two people have thought, 'We might try to clamp down on that this weekend'.

"You are allowed to put someone in front of the goalkeeper - I am not aware that you are meant to get out of the way of him.

"I thought their player was blocking him more than Kevin Nolan was, so I am disappointed with that.

"I haven't spoken to the refere. Not yet, but I am going to try.

"I thought he got the big decision wrong today. When he looks at it, he might think that as well."