ANDY O'BRIEN has spoken of the "huge relief'' at St. James' Park after Newcastle United claimed their first League win of the season.

The tension was palpable on Tyneside ahead of Southampton's visit after the Magpies had collected only three points from their opening six Premiership games.

United even had to issue a statement last week to refute mischievous internet claims that Sir Bobby Robson had resigned as manager.

Robson's thumbs-raised salute to the fans at the end of Saturday's game signified the importance of the victory.

And centre-back O'Brien, who has linked up with the Republic of Ireland squad to prepare for this Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier in Switzerland, admitted: "It's a huge relief.

"We did not want to go into the international break knowing we had ten days to the next game without a win to our names in the League.

"The win will give everyone a huge lift. I think we've played well in parts this season without getting the breaks, and obviously the results.

"We matched Manchester United in the first half of that game, we played well in patches at Arsenal and took positives from that match, but it's results that matter and to get that first League win under our belts is vital.''

Skipper Alan Shearer lifted the gloom with his 250th career League goal.

But the Magpies are still in the bottom three, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal, and Shearer knows it will take a monumental effort if his side are to repeat their resurrection of last season, when they recovered from a similarly dismal start to finish third.

Newcastle's next Premiership game is at Middlesbrough a week on Saturday, and Shearer said: ''It's very important that we do not rest on our laurels. We have to enjoy this victory, but there is still a heck of a lot of work to do to get this football club back where it belongs.

''Last season, we went from 19th to third, but I think that would be very difficult this time because we have given the top clubs a bit of a start.

''But if we don't do it, it won't be for the want of trying. Let's take one game at a time - we are not out of the woods yet, even though this was a big three points.

''Hopefully, we have turned the corner, but we still have a long way to go.''

Shearer added: ''All the players are relieved. It was a result the whole football club needed - the chairman, the manager, the players, and the fans.

''There was a little bit of music in the dressing room - something that we haven't heard for a few games.

''It's nice to see one or two smiling faces again after all the doom and gloom, and I hope we can go on from here.''

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