A CONTRITE Lee Bowyer last night thanked Newcastle's fans for their forgiveness after they cheered him onto the field during the second half of the club's 1-0 win over Sporting Lisbon.

Bowyer, fined £200,000 and given a written warning earlier this week following his on-field fracas with team-mate Kieron Dyer, started on the bench in the first leg of United's UEFA Cup quarter-final.

But, after Dyer was forced to hobble off with a hamstring problem shortly after the hour mark, boss Graeme Souness chose Bowyer to replace him.

And, while the build-up to the game had been overshadowed by warnings of a rough reception from the terraces, the 28-year-old was cheered to the rafters as he trotted onto the field.

"The reception was really good," said Bowyer, who must still serve a four-match domestic ban for last weekend's indiscretions. "I did an article earlier in the day and asked the fans to give me a chance - thankfully they've done that.

"Hopefully I can repay them in the future but, in the long term, that's not down to me. All I can do is ask for a chance - I can't ask for anything more than that.

"The fans know that they'll always get 100 per cent from me in every game, and I can't give them any more."

Newcastle will take a one-goal lead to Lisbon's Jose Alvalade Stadium next week after Alan Shearer's 19th goal of the season separated the sides at St James'.

The United skipper showed his usual invention to drop deep before heading in Laurent Robert's free-kick - a move that Graeme Souness admitted had been rehearsed on the training ground - and was also delighted at the crowd's decision to exonerate Bowyer.

"Enough has been said about what happened," said Shearer. "Lee has apologised, Kieron has apologised - everyone has apologised. It's time to put it to bed.

"We want to go all the way in this tie and we want to go all the way in the tournament. It will be a tough game over there but we always fancy our chances to score."

Souness was similarly impressed with the fans' response and, after spending most of the week dealing with the fall-out from last weekend's fracas, was delighted to turn the focus back to footballing affairs.

"We're just pleased to get the game out of the way to be honest," said the Magpies manager. "We didn't play particularly well but it was always going to be a nervous affair for all of us.

"I think that (the crowd's response to Bowyer) shows you that our supporters have forgiven him. You can understand why they went home angry and frustrated on Saturday.

"But their response was fantastic to hear. Lee's quite a buoyant and lively character and, since Saturday, he's been extremely low. He will sleep well tonight and he will be a happy man."

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