SAME old Shearer, always scoring.

Rather predictably when the going got tough on Saturday, Newcastle United turned to their inspirational skipper for the goals to clinch their third successive Premiership win.

Alan Shearer grabbed both goals in the 2-1 win over West Brom and he also had his 300th career goal crossed out for offside in the 79th minute, when he reacted first to a spilled Craig Bellamy shot.

Ironically, Newcastle chief Sir Bobby Robson admitted he considered resting his star striker.

Instead, his inclusion in the starting 11 was justified, as the club's top-flight fortunes continue to take a turn for the better.

Newcastle now have a two-week break until their next match - at Blackburn a week on Saturday - as top-flight clubs take time out during international week.

And Robson believes it is exactly what his captain deserves after starting all 13 of his side's matches this season.

"I wanted to rest him, but he's got through this game and now he can have a rest," said Robson.

"This England break has come at the right time for him because he gets ten days now to recover.

"I never take him off unless I have to and that means he's going to get tired, so this break will help him a lot."

Shearer may not be getting any younger and at 32 there has been suggestions he is looking a shadow of his former self.

While the former England striker has never been the quickest he has been able to more than make up for the lack of pace with his unrivalled eye for goal.

And against the Baggies, Shearer proved his worth once again with two typical goals from the £15m man.

But claiming all three points was a lot more difficult than it sounds, as a determined and dogged West Brom refused to take defeat lying down.

And had it not been for a couple of controversial decisions from referee Chris Foy, the result could have been oh so different.

The first howler was just after the quarter of an hour mark when the powerful visiting striker, Jason Roberts, went bursting through on his own.

Newcastle's last man Andy O'Brien seemed to pull Roberts back, but Mr Foy did not even give a free-kick never mind send the player off.

That incident incensed Roberts, who caused problems with his strength throughout, but that was soon forgotten about temporarily when Igor Balis gave West Brom the lead after 27 minutes.

Balis cut inside before striking a low left-foot shot inside Shay Given's near post to silence the Geordie faithful.

This spurred Newcastle into action with Nolberto Solano sending in a number of teasing crosses, but West Brom's three-man defence was proving a hard wall to break down.

Former Darlington defender Sean Gregan and ex-Hartlepool centre-back Phil Gilchrist were tremendous for Gary Megson's men.

But they could do nothing about Newcastle's equaliser when Mr Foy once again made another strange decision.

Goalscorer Balis was adjudged to have backpassed to goalkeeper Joe Murphy, when all the right wing-back appeared to do was stick out a foot to meet a powerful Solano centre.

The skillful Peruvian winger then rolled the ball to Shearer seven yards out, who drove low into the net to level matters.

After the match former Newcastle midfielder Megson, now in charge at the Hawthorns, revealed his belief that there is a conspiracy theory working against the Premiership's smaller clubs.

"I can understand Jason Roberts being upset for the first one," said Megson. "We fine our players for dissent, but he won't be fined for that because you'd have to be a saint to keep your patience when that happens.

"And if Igor was trying to pass the ball back with his foot in the six-yard box, he would be in big trouble at our football club because you don't do that - and he wasn't trying to do that. It hit him on the foot.

''I spoke to a manager of a club similar to ours when we were promoted and he said the thing that you're going to have to get used to is that, as a smaller club in the Premiership, things go against you when you're playing bigger clubs, and I've seen nothing to dispel that.''

In the second half, West Brom rarely threatened and Newcastle continually pressed forward to try to find the winner.

PFA Young Player of the Year Craig Bellamy missed two headers when he found space in the penalty area, but the hosts had to rely on Shearer on 69 minutes.

Shearer was on hand to turn in Solano's header across goal following Aaron Hughes' delightful cross to the back post.

Newcastle may not have lit Europe alight in the Champions' League this season - they are yet to claim their first point after three matches.

But Bobby's Boys are starting to enjoy life in the Premiership again, and now they are setting their sights on the top four again.

Result: Newcastle 2 West Brom 1.

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