Robert's stunning double

It may be true that some Geordie fans would have been readying themselves for the visit of NAC Breda two days later but, on the face of it, little appeared different in the world of Newcastle United FC.

However, moves were afoot on the information superhighway, and anyone who logged on to laurentrobert.com that day would have have read that the Frenchman had magnanimously agreed to cease all further communications - for the time being at least.

Before that date Newcastle had played seven games with a record of won one, drawn three, lost three. Robert had played in all the games, been substituted twice at half-time, sent off once and had failed to find the net.

Since then, Newcastle have played 16, won 10, drawn three and lost three. Robert has played in 14 of those games, scoring eight goals, producing numerous assists and has even had the audacity to complete 90 minutes on more than one occasion.

To put it bluntly, he's been a different player since he was told by his manager, Sir Bobby Robson, in no uncertain terms that the website was a "non".

On Saturday he scored two of the finest goals St James' Park has witnessed since a certain other controversial Frenchman was playing at his peak on Tyneside.

True, Alan Shearer scored a belter against Everton last season, but both Robert's goals were on a par with that.

The comparisons with David Ginola have returned, and it is not often that Shearer can score goals number 100 and 101 at St James' Park for Newcastle and come off the pitch as an also-ran.

The skipper, who has himself been driven to distraction by his errant teammate, was mightily impressed.

"In terms of ability, he's got it all," said Shearer.

"He can produce those spectacular shots every week if he wants to and if you give him three or four yards of space, he won't pass up the opportunity to shoot.

"If anything, he shoots more than he should do at times

"We hope that he can play like that for ten or eleven months of the season."

The goals were sublime. The first on 35 minutes was as classic a volley as you'll see. Many said it could have gone anywhere but it didn't.

Ledley King's half-clearance was volleyed exquisitely from 25-yards. It was hit so perfectly that it was almost past Kasey Keller before he could do anything about it.

The second on 55 minutes was, arguably, even better. Gary Speed switched play to the left and Robert found himself in acres of space.

He advanced forward and with everyone expecting a cross - including the skipper - he let fly with a 35-yard screamer.

And, as Robson admitted afterwards, he almost didn't play after reporting in with a virus.

The fact that he doesn't produce it often enough has caused Shearer consternation in the past, most notably following a defeat at Anfield two seasons ago when more than harsh words were exchanged between the pair.

They've since kissed and made up - but Shearer admits still gets frustrated by the erratic Frenchman.

He said: "He can be frustrating at times. But you know that the brilliance is in there.

"If that second goal hadn't hit the target, he would have got a mouthful from me for not crossing it, but that's the ability he has.

"It's about getting it out of him and that's the manager's job. It's one thing knowing it's in there, another thing getting it out, but for the last two months or so he's been on fire, really.

"He's been brilliant and we hope that continues now right until the end of the season."

If his manager wasn't already white-haired, Robert would undoubtedly have turned him grey.

"It's easier for him to play well than to see me," said Robson.

"He's sick of seeing me so he's taken that option.

"What's happened is that it's his third season here. He's got used to English football, English culture.

"His kids are in school. They speak very good English and he's learnt the language himself.

"He understands more about the English game. It's played two ways and he's prepared to work harder now.

"When he comes off now he's tired. I think before, a year ago, he'd come off and he didn't have his shirt wet.

"Now he knows he's played 90 minutes. He knew he was playing against a very good full back in Stephen Carr.

"If he didn't defend against Carr, he'd get in behind him and stick in crosses.

"He worked hard and he kept Carr quiet."

Carr, expected to be Newcastle's top target next month, was made to look very ordinary.

The game itself was also looking very ordinary for 30 minutes before Robert took it by the scruff of the neck.

After his second he then showed he can create as well as finish. He rolled a free kick which his skipper fired just wide, before a corner on the left was stabbed in by Shearer from six yards out.

Number 100 for Shearer at St James' but Robert took much of the acclaim.

Next it was a corner on the right that was missed by everyone, allowing Shearer to head in off the bar.

At this point all hell broke loose in Spurs' defence, with Kasey Keller and Dean Richards having to be physically restrained by their teammates.

On 78 minutes Robert clipped a pass to Shearer whose 30-yard effort was tipped over by Keller. A minute later and the show was over - exit stage left Laurent.

There was a genuine standing ovation for a player who has frustrated as much as he has enthralled the Newcastle fans.

"We wondered whether he'd ever pick up the clues, but I think he has," said Robson. "He was stunning last week and he was great against Spurs."

"Along with Olivier Bernard, the pair of them played like international footballers.

"If the coach comes across and sees them both playing like that then he's got to be tempted to put them in the squad.

"You only get in as an international if you put those performances in consistently, not one in seven."

The only problem Sir Bobby is that, according to his website, he's back on line this month.

Zut alors!

Result: Newcastle United 4 Tottenham Hotspur 0.

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