Laurent Robert put away an amazing second half winner against gutsy Charlton at St James' Park today, giving the Magpies a 2 - 1 victory.

The French midfielder's scorching 60th-minute strike sealed his side's come-from-behind win and satisfied boss Sir Bobby Robson's demand that the Magpies continue to march up the Barclaycard Premiership table.

Robson's team had started sluggishly and were brought back down to earth after their midweek heroics against Juventus when Shaun Bartlett gave the visitors a shock 30th-minute lead.

But Andy Griffin's stunning long-range effort just five minutes later formed the platform from which Robert could take all three points.

Robert deserved to grab the winner after summoning up most of the home side's major chances in a less than impressive team display which left Alan Shearer still searching for his hundredth Premiership goal for the club. Midfielder Robert scampered down the left flank to finish off a sweeping move inspired by Peruvian Nolberto Solano on the halfway line.

Solano found Shola Ameobi in the centre, who turned Rufus and waited before knocking the ball wide to the onrushing Frenchman. Robert barely broke stride before driving a low left-foot shot past helpless Kiely from a tight angle.

But Jason Euell and Gary Rowett both missed late chances which could have salvaged the Londoners a surprise point.

Alan Curbishley's men had hoped for much more than that on the half hour when Bartlett took advantage of defensive hesitancy between Andy O'Brien and Titus Bramble and squeezed a low shot under Shay Given. It was Charlton's first chance of any note after a rocky opening spell in which Gary Speed ought to have given the home side the lead.

Speed rose highest to meet Robert's corner from the right in the 23rd minute but somehow headed the ball against the inside of keeper Dean Kiely's post from no more than two yards out.

Moments later Robert - who had already seen a speculative long-range effort punched over the bar by Kiely - was at the centre of things again when he teed up the onrushing O'Brien.

The big defender stormed up the field to latch onto Robert's crossfield ball but whacked a 20-yard shot high and wide.

Newcastle responded well after Bartlett's shock strike and Griffin's goal was fit to grace any stage.

Shearer laid the ball back to youngster in the right corner of the box, who let fly with a rising effort which crashed across Kiely and into the far top corner of the net.

The home side still showed signs of shakiness, with Bartlett having a shot blocked when clean through and Euell fluffing the follow-up before the break.

Charlton, confident after last week's win over Middlesbrough kick-started their season, were forced to defend deeper at the start of the second half.

Ameobi was cautioned for punching a Griffin shot into the net and Kiely had to get down well to palm a powerful Robert shot to safety.

Even after Robert's superb strike Newcastle continued to allow Charlton space and were almost punished when Euell shot straight at Given then Rowett's close-range effort was blocked by Aaron Hughes during an almighty goalmouth scramble.

Robert somehow headed wide from six yards after Shearer's headed cross, but the Frenchman had already done enough to increase Newcastle's Premiership momentum.

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