IF anyone symbolises the transformation of Newcastle United under Alan Shearer, it is the mercurial Mark Viduka.
Written off, reviled and consigned to the St James’s Park scrap heap before Shearer rode back to Tyneside on a wave of goodwill, it is now undeniably United’s big Aussie who is leading their survival charge from the front.
For while Obafemi Martins snatched the headlines and Shearer lapped up the praise of his adoring public for his inspired substitution, it was Viduka who was the catalyst on a breathtaking night for North East football.
Applauded to the rafters by the same fans who had derided him as a ‘not fit to wear the shirt’ as recently as Boxing Day, Viduka was comfortably the best player on the pitch in this relegation showdown.
How different it might have been if it was Chris Hughton or Joe Kinnear in the dugout rather than Shearer. And perhaps if the Newcastle manager hadn’t been such a stickler for rules and fitness, Viduka would be on a beach somewhere in his homeland by now, watching on the television after being told his services were no longer required.
Instead Viduka has been put through rigorous, demanding conditioning sessions by Iain Dowie to ensure that he is in the right shape as the big games stack up.
The result? The Australian is now the one consistent figure in Newcastle’s attack – and justifying that revered position with some stellar performances.
Viduka symbolised a bigger victory last night, too – of experience over youthful energy and optimism.
Boro’s admirable policy of developing from within has attracted more plaudits than it has points, and how Southgate must have wished he had a grizzled, inspirational figure like the Australian to call upon in his team’s hour of need.
Instead he had Matthew Bates, capable and willing in midfield but looking painfully out of his depth when he allowed Steven Taylor to ghost past him and direct a bullet header into the bottom right hand corner of Bradley Jones’ goal. And Marvin Emnes, a bundle of raw energy and excitement on his first Premier League start of the season, who troubled Newcastle with his pace and non-stop endeavour.
But when his really big chance did arrive on the half-hour mark, he lacked the nous and know-how to apply the finishing touch.
