CHRIS HUGHTON danced with delight after witnessing Newcastle United climb back to the top of the Championship with a narrow victory at Sheffield United last night before joking: “I have my moments.”

The normally composed Hughton could not hide his satisfaction when Ryan Taylor’s 25-yard strike deflected off Blades defender Chris Morgan and nestled in goalkeeper Ian Bennett’s bottom corner eight minutes after half-time.

Just six days after being named Alan Shearer’s successor at St James’ Park, he performed a jig in the technical area which highlighted the joy he felt after taking a surprise lead.

“It was emotions. You go through all of those things in games like this,” said Hughton, whose side was indebted to Steve Harper’s goalkeeping heroics.

“In the last ten minutes you want to play the game through but you know you can’t. You go through all of those emotions, it’s just nice when you come away with the points.

“I have my moments, the same as anyone, where we have been this season so far we have had to try to keep a calmness and composure to keep everything together. Expectations are high and there’s a lot to live up to. It was just how I felt at the time.

“It’s moments like this, when you go in the changing room at the final whistle, what we are in the game for.”

After recording a second win in six matches ahead of this Saturday’s visit of Peteborough – when fans are expected to demonstrate against the Mike Ashley regime – Hughton’s smile at full-time was equally telling.

Things might have been different had Harper not been at the top of his game in the closing stages.

The experienced keeper made two stunning injurytime saves to deny Darius Henderson and Keith Treacy to keep Newcastle in front.

“We weren’t fortunate.

Steve Harper made a couple of fabulous saves. That’s the quality of the keeper, but over the 90 minutes we deserved it.

It’s nice to be back top,” said Hughton.

“Steve is doing the business for me. There’s different aspects of Steve Harper. He is a Newcastle lad, been here for a long time and he is a calming influence around the place.

He is a mature lad and a mature player. He has been invaluable to us.”

Hughton was not the only one paying tribute to Harper in the aftermath of last night’s success, with underpressure Sheffield United boss Kevin Blackwell blaming him for his side’s defeat.

The Blades have now lost five of their last seven matches and Blackwell was also critical of referee Kevin Friend for allowing play to continue in the build up to Newcastle’s winner, when Kevin Nolan dispossessed Kyle Walker.

Blackwell said: “It was a foul on Kyle, the referee missed that, then Chris Morgan inadvertently knocked it past Ian Bennett from Taylor’s shot. He did not have to have a save to make, while Harper had to make save after save. The two saves from Harps... the one from Henderson was world class.”

Last night’s game was Newcastle’s first since Ashley announced seven days ago that he is inviting offers from potential sponsors to buy the naming rights to St James’ Park.

It has led to speculation regarding which companies are considering a move, but shirt sponsors adidas have ruled themselves out.

An adidas statement released yesterday read: “Following media speculation regarding Newcastle United and the naming rights for St James’ Park, adidas can confirm that it has not been offered the naming rights and would not wish to take the rights if they were offered.

Adidas remains committed to our on-pitch partnership with the club.”