After all, they had bounced back from a humiliating home defeat to Liverpool- one that left enduring images of angry fans yelling “You don’t know what you’re doing” at under-fire manager Sam Allardyce for pretty much the entire duration of the second half- to earn a battling point against leaders Arsenal, before following that up with a crucial 2-1 win over Birmingham at St James’ Park, and then only their second away win of the season at Craven Cottage.

Allardyce had seemingly got a message through to his players that they needed to be harder to beat- the importance of which he had stressed since arriving at the club in the summer. They sat in a comfortable mid-table position, only a decent run away from entering the race for the top six, whilst content in the knowledge that even in the event of a dramatic slide, there were “three worse teams than Newcastle” at the other end of the table. In truth there were half a dozen or more, easily.

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One cannot expect a club to be completely transformed in half a season even in Newcastle’s case whereby they can boast of having the only manager in the league who has actual super-human powers, or so we are told anyway.

It is difficult not to jump on the everyone-laugh-at-Newcastle bandwagon, their continuation as the Premier League’s laughing stock has been completely assisted by the fanfare that surrounded Kevin Keegan’s appointment. The appointment of Keegan, who has never won a trophy and who admits to having not seen a football match in several years, was contested primarily on the grounds that he loves the club and is a Geordie (and of course those renowned superpowers).

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Keegan has already stated that he is aware of the scale the task he is faced with in waking this sleepiest of Sleeping Giants, yet witnessing his admittedly weakened side struggle against Gary Megson’s equally insipid visitors, the reality will have bitten hard. Newcastle did not manage a shot on target in the entire ninety minutes, and in the end were indebted to Shay Given for keeping out a late JLloyd Samuel effort to preserve their point.

At least the passion was back. The fans made it clear that the “Geordie Messiah” was still deserving of his nickname as they chanted his name throughout. Keegan himself was as animated as ever on the touchline, appealing for penalties, rallying his troops and speeding up Bolton players who were dallying over throw-ins.

But passion could only take his side so far, it was quality that was lacking here.

Newcastle may well be missing Habib Beye, Abdoulaye Faye, Geremi and Obafemi Martins at the Africa Cup of Nations, in addition to the suspended quartet of Nicky Butt, Alan Smith, Joey Barton and Emre and the injured duo of Mark Viduka and Peter Ramage, but the lack of creativity in the side was still worrying.

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So what can we learn about the composers of the unedifying rants, insults, insinuations and single-entendres so unedifyingly aimed at footballers and managers in recent weeks?

The obvious common denominator is prejudice. An irrational hatred of the different; it used to be foreigners, then it was black players, now it is anybody who is - or, more often, isn’t but is perceived to be - fat, gay (or even slightly effeminate), middle class, a Muslim, corrupt or any combination of the above.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that followers of a sport harnessed, to a certain extent, by pious English headmasters to distract public school boys from ‘the sin one need hardly mention’ (masturbation) - if we believe David Winner’s excellent, if somewhat melodramatic book “Those Feet, A Sensual History Of English Football” - still see the game as the embodiment of unapologetic machismo, although its working-class image is somewhat ironic. Consequently, football remains grotesquely homophobic - scan the 606 discussion on Sol Campbell’s recent sentiments for proof.

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Liverpool and Arsenal lead the table after victories against Derby and Portsmouth respectively, the Reds hammering Billy Davies’ Rams side 6-0 with Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso scoring twice apiece as Liverpool indicated for the first time in a long, long time that they will sustain a challenge for the league. Arsenal recorded their most convincing victory of the campaign, 3-1 winners against Portsmouth, and despite the lack of transfer activity and departure of Henry, Arsène Wenger’s side also appear ready to contest for the title. While Liverpool and Arsenal have ten points after four matches, Chelsea stayed on that number following their fifth game and first defeat of the season. They fell to a 2-0 defeat against an impressive Aston Villa side with Zat Knight doing more than he did in eight years at Fulham by scoring the opener and keeping a clean sheet.

Everton also lie on ten points after Joleon Lescott netted in the 90th minute to give David Moyes’ outfit a 2-1 victory at struggling Bolton, who now reside in 19th position. The most exciting game of the weekend came from Craven Cottage as Tottenham threw away a 3-1 lead with 12 minutes remaining to draw against Fulham, Diomansy Kamara netting a brilliant overhead kick in the final minute to ensure the points were shared, although the visitors dominated throughout. Martin Jol’s position as coach has become even more precarious. Manchester United beat Sunderland by a single goal from Louis Saha as they continued to flounder in front of goal, and there were wins for Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham too. Reading, after losing 3-0 at home to the Hammers, lie in the relegation zone and second season syndrome is hitting them hard.

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Martins, who has been substituted in each of the team’s last three games, is unhappy with Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce’s treatment of him.

The striker refused to shake his manager’s hand when he was taken off during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough; instead, he walked straight down the tunnel and was first on the team bus.

However, despite admitting he is flattered to be linked with Arsenal, Martins has pledged his future to his current employers. He reportedly has a £13million buy-out clause and has been linked with the Gunners as well as Manchester United during the summer.

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West Ham continued their slow start to the new season with a tame 1-1 draw with third-placed Wigan, as Chris Hutchings continues to prove his critics wrong. Bolton also got off the mark by hammering Reading, and there were wins for Aston Villa and Birmingham while a draw was played out at Goodison Park between Everton and Blackburn as Roque Santa Cruz continued to impress for the visitors. Sam Allardyce says he wants to bring in new faces before the transfer window closes on Friday after watching another draw for his Newcastle side. A visit to the Riverside saw them lead twice only to allow Middlesbrough to level almost immediately on both occasions.

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Aiyegbeni was issued Everton’s number nine jersey after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical. James Beattie last wore the prestigious number nine shirt. Aiyegbeni missed Boro’s 2-1 win at Fulham last weekend as well as the team’s training sessions early in the week, heightening speculation that he was about to leave the club.

Blues chairman Bill Kenwright brokered the compromise after Boro demanded £12.5m and Everton originally offered £10.5m.

Aiyegbeni replaces Andy Johnson as Everton’s record signing, though is likely to partner him in Saturday’s teatime televised clash with Blackburn. Johnson pulled out of England’s friendly on Wednesday, but the Blues expect him to be fit to play.

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Aiyegbeni has been linked with three clubs, Manchester City, former club Portsmouth, and Everton who are thought to be leading the chase to secure his services.

Aiyegbeni’s non-appearance with his team-mates at training on Monday evening and Tuesday morning further fuelled talk that his days with the club he joined from Portsmouth for £7.5million in July 2005 could be drawing to a close.

Middlesbrough, though, have refused to comment on Yakubu’s future, but manager Gareth Southgate had repeatedly insisted that he is not for sale. Everton’s current valuation of the player is understood to be around £10.5m, £1million short of the £11.5m price Middlesbrough have attached, and their below-par offer was rejected by the club.

Everton boss David Moyes believes a compromise can be reached with the Teesiders, who need cash to push through a £6m deal for Brazilian striker Afonso Alves. Yakubu has made it clear to club officials at the Riverside he wants to move to Merseyside and was withdrawn from the squad which won at Fulham on Saturday.

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Defending champions Manchester United already have a big mountain to climb if they are to retain their crown after falling 1-0 at Manchester City, thanks to a Geovanni effort. United dominated but lacked a cutting edge, leaving them on just two points after three matches having scored only one goal in that period and they lie five points off favourites Chelsea, who benefited from a stroke of luck to earn a 1-1 draw at Anfield against Liverpool. Fernando Torres scored a brilliant opener, but Frank Lampard levelled when referee Rob Styles incorrectly ruled that Florent Malouda had been fouled in the box. Both sides remain unbeaten and look set to battle it out for top spot over the next few months, especially after Arsenal failed to take advantage of their rivals’ results. A 1-1 draw at Blackburn offered little indication that the Gunners would compete any better this season than they did in the last.
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