THE GASPS were of amazement last week, but there were none to accompany Alan Shearer's winner eight minutes from time at Villa Park, although the scenes of joy remained the same.

The manner of the winning goal will matter little though to the 32-year-old striker who, with a sense of timing that is a pre-requisite of any great forward, reminded everyone just why any suggestion of a new contract for his undoubted talents should not be ruled out of hand.

Against Everton, the whole country drew a sharp intake of breath at the quality of the former England skipper's magnificent 30-yard strike.

It was more bread 'n' butter than haute cuisine in Birmingham but the net result was the same. It bulged.

Of course, Villa manager Graham Taylor has seen it all before. Shearer's absence through the most vital period of England's '94 World Cup campaign was the single biggest reason why one of the most respected managers in the game ended up lampooned unmercifully by those outside it.

But there was no mistaking the same trademark celebration - or the grin that received the awaiting throng of reporters at the final whistle.

"He said: "Dion Dublin came up to me at the end and told me that Graham Taylor was shouting 'Shearer's on the back cross, don't let them put it in'.

"He was screaming it five or six times but fortunately for me, no-one heard him.

"It's gone in off my shoulder. I headed it onto my shoulder. I said after that spectacular effort last week that I'd take the next ten in off my backside, shoulder or wherever. I didn't expect it to happen so soon.

"This is a vital step for us because we've been in a good position in the league without getting away results. It's important because if we have any ambitions to finish in the top four, which I know we have, we need to step it up.

"And the defence deserve an awful lot of credit because they've come under a lot of criticism, particularly at Manchester United, for the way we have been conceding.

"But when they were put under pressure today, I thought they came out on top, particularly Aaron Hughes and Andy O'Brien.

"The more it went on, I thought it was more likely that we would get something. If we kept it tight at the back, we've got players who will score. It's three points and it was even sweeter to keep a clean sheet."

It may be sweet to keep that sheet clean but what will continue to place serious question-marks against the Magpies' title credentials is the quality of their rearguard.

Everyone in football respects a front six that boast the rapier-quick thrusts that come from Messers Bellamy, Dyer, Robert and Jenas. The quality of Nolberto Solano's service and the all-round game that Gary Speed possesses only add further spice to the mixture.

But there is no such respect for their backline. Make no mistake - as Robson quite rightly pointed out afterwards - this game could have finished 3-3. More worryingly for him, Newcastle could just as easily have been two goals adrift by half-time and then the picture would have looked dramatically different.

That would have been no injustice on Villa. They had smashed in 12 goals during their previous three matches at Villa Park and were finally beginning to breathe life into a season that has simply spluttered along.

Despite Shearer's late swansong, Ronny Johnsen had an otherwise excellent afternoon. Bellamy caused plenty of problems by pulling off Villa's back-four but while the Newcastle manager was quick to praise the defence, had Darius Vassell and Dion Dublin not spurned two chances each, the same familiar flaws would have been flagged up.

"I was particularly pleased with our pair work today," Robson explained, "the two defenders handled Vassell and Dublin well and Kieron Dyer and Jermaine Jenas gave us great energy in midfield.

"It was the same up front, the strikers worked hard and we maybe just edged it."

Maybe so, but it will be a significant loss in Barcelona not to have Shearer's on-field presence and Bellamy's speed.

While eyes become diverted to the Champions League this season though, it appears that qualification for next season's big event is on Robson's mind.

"I always thought Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool would be up there," he added, "Chelsea have come into it too. We didn't over-achieve last year. We have a home match in hand against Bolton and if we win that we are right in there.

"Who knows what might happen? Five months is a long time in football."

Robson has more haughty ideas on his mind this morning. Like how he can stop a Barcelona side that is making mincemeat of full-strength opposition so far this season in Europe. Particularly in the imposing den that makes up the Camp Nou.

But for now he will just revel in the fact that the questions raised about his side's suspect defensive qualities which have hampered any genuine championship challenge have been answered. Until tomorrow night, at least.