Newcastle grateful to Given

Alan Shearer continued his excellent form, taking his record to a goal in each of his last six appearances - one short of his best Newcastle sequence in the Kevin Keegan era.

But it was goalkeeper Shay Given who had the biggest influence on Newcastle's 2-0 win against Crystal Palace. He produced outstanding saves at two crucial stages of the game. The first came in the second minute when his right hand somehow kept out a close-range shot from Aki Riihilahti.

As Shearer said: 'If that had gone in, it might have been different. Palace would have had something to hold on to.' As it was, Palace went behind after referee Mike Riley awarded a free-kick when defender Tony Popovic handled a Nolberto Solano drive in the 40th minute.

Palace manager Trevor Francis begged to differ and said: 'The ball struck Popovic's chest. He has a big red mark there.' Solano touched the kick to Shearer and the power of his 21-yard shot could not have been greater.

Palace regrouped and Given was again asked to come to Newcastle's rescue, saving brilliantly from a Riihilahti header. Also at 1-0, and later confirmed by television, the officials got it badly wrong when a Clinton Morrison equaliser was disallowed for offside. Riley, however, had erred in Palace's favour six minutes earlier. Olivier Bernard was clearly fouled in the penalty area but the referee waved play on.

Newcastle ensured victory when substitute Clarence Acuna scored 14 minutes from time after good work by full back Aaron Hughes.