You can't leave Dyer out, says Robson

Newcastle needed Dyer's messianic qualities in the front line when the man who normally fills the role of saviour, Alan Shearer, went off for stitches following an accidental clash of heads with Derby's Rob Lee.

Almost 70 minutes had elapsed, Derby were 2-0 up, thanks to superb strikes early in the second half by Malcolm Christie and Lee Morris, and the visitors seemed destined to suffer a blow to their Champions League aspirations.

But a wicked free-kick from Laurent Robert, followed by Dyer's 76th-minute conversion of Nolberto Solano's low cross, changed the entire contest - and there was a sense of inevitability about Lomana Lua Lua's winner a minute from time.

The way in which Dyer glided through the game, either breaking from his central midfield position or running off the shoulder of his marker, stood out amid the huffing and puffing of two teams with much at stake.

Robson said: 'He's still not 100 per cent fit, he's only been back three weeks after two months out injured, but he is a fitness freak.

'He's a special player and, if he plays for the rest of the season, he will improve. I've no doubt he would be great in the World Cup. I hope David Beckham comes back, because he is world class, but Kieron can also play wide right.'

Newcastle goals two and three both looked distinctly offside, the equaliser provoking so much uproar that referee Rob Styles banished Derby manager John Gregory from the sideline for his protests about linesman Andy Martin. The angry words continued after the game, with Gregory - who at first refused to accept his dismissal - labelling Martin 'incompetent'.

An unrepentant Gregory, facing a familiar clash with the FA over his reaction, admitted: 'My players would like me to be a bit calmer but it's hard not to argue when you know you are so right. I know I am right.

'Rob Styles will report me to the FA but I don't know what the charges will be because I know - and I think Rob knows - that what I said was correct.

'All they can charge me with is that I said the guy was five yards offside. There's nothing to report me with but they will because they will defend themselves.'

Premiership survival looks unlikely for Derby but, as goalscorer Morris pointed out: 'The officials won't be bothered - they've made mistakes but it's not them getting relegated.'