Souness: "I Was Right To Drop Shearer"

Last updated : 31 October 2005 By Footy Mad - Editor

But there have been questions asked of Shearer's contribution in away games when pace on the break is so important. He will be the first to say that his career-threatening injury at Goodison Park all those years ago forced him to change his style of play.

I'm not suggesting he isn't up for the challenge at away games, but obviously Graeme Souness felt his 'battering ram' deserved a rest after a tough week of knocks and stitches.

But at the end of the day it was two-goal Michael Owen ... and substitute Alan Shearer ... that destroyed West Brom at The Hawthorns. Owen took his tally to four goals in five games and Shearer came off the bench to notch his 197th goal for the Magpies and he is now only three short of Jackie Milburn's club record tally of 200.

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness was thrilled with the 3-0 win over West Brom and feels his decision to rest Alan Shearer was vindicated.
The Magpies secured victory at The Hawthorns thanks to a brace from Michael Owen and a late goal from the bench from Shearer.

Souness: "Was there any doubt he was going to score today? We spoke about it before the game and Alan is not happy, he wants to play every minute of every game, but he is 35 and our one striker of that type and we have to look after him.

"Michael Owen did not take part in the game in the first half, but he put us one up inside 60 seconds of the restart.

"I have to give a special mention to Shay. He made a fantastic save and at 1-1 it might have been a different game.

"We seemed to be all over the place for five minutes. They had a few shots and it could have been different had they scored, but in the end we won quite comfortably."