NEWCASTLE UNITED captain Alan Shearer has demanded a repeat performance when they visit West Ham tomorrow - or risk undoing the good work of beating Arsenal.

The Magpies head to east London knowing three points will lift them level on points with the Hammers, who occupy seventh spot in the Premiership.

The rise of Newcastle to such heights has been in defiance of the criticism directed the club's way this season, as they have struggled to string a good run of form together.

But Saturday's 1-0 victory over Arsenal has revitalised a depleted squad that had failed to win any of its previous four matches - including one of the club's worst performances in recent history when they were beaten at Wigan in the Carling Cup.

Shearer, who could be joined in the starting line-up by Emre and Celestine Babayaro after injuries, is urging his team-mates to carry on where they left off.

"Every player deserves credit for the way they performed against Arsenal last weekend," the 35-year-old said. "Every single one of us worked well and deserved to finish on the winning team.

"We did a job from the first minute right through to the 95th, and I don't think anyone could deny us the win. But we have to forget about that now, and look forward to West Ham. We go there with confidence, but we know there is a very fine line between success and failure in this game."

While Emre and Babayaro could return, the game has come to soon for Steven Taylor. But he does not need surgery on his shoulder injury and could make his return at Liverpool on Boxing Day.

Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi has been credited with Newcastle's second goal in the 3-2 win over Sunderland in October by the Dubious Goals Committee.

Ameobi has always maintained it was his goal, as he climbed with defender Steve Caldwell.

Meanwhile, Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has revealed that Laurent Robert, on loan from the Magpies, is part of his plans.

Under previous boss Alain Perrin, Robert's days looked numbered and there was even talk of him going on loan to another club in January.

However, Redknapp has admitted he is keen to have Robert in his ranks.

"I am sure he can play a big part for us as he has ability and flair to open up teams," said Redknapp. "He has shown time and again he can score goals, which is what we are short of at the moment."

* Steve Bruce believes Birmingham fans will now start to see the best of Nicky Butt after a stop-start four months since joining on loan from Newcastle.

Butt has been prevented from having a consistent run of games through a combination of suspension, injuries and the various international breaks.

But Bruce, said: ''Nicky has not been able to get a decent run of consecutive games under his belt.

''He did not play much for Newcastle in the second half of last season and we just thought we had got him right at Portsmouth and were thinking 'he is emerging again' when he got himself sent off and missed the next four games.

"But last Saturday against Fulham he showed why he was England's best player in the last World Cup finals."

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