Newcastle United 3 Middlesbrough 1

RELEGATION could be confirmed on Saturday, but defeated manager Gareth Southgate last night insisted that Middlesbrough can still win their fight to stay in the Premier League.

While Tyneside erupted after a first that gives Newcastle United a platform to preserve their top-flight status, their North-East counterparts need a miracle.

The 3-1 defeat at St James’ Park leaves Middlesbrough needing two victories in their final two fixtures – against Aston Villa (h) and West Ham (a). But they still might not be enough to keep them in the Premier League.

Southgate, whose players are three points adrift of safety and with an inferior goal difference, has not resigned himself to the Football League – but admits his charges will have to be strong to bounce back.

“We have to lift ourselves and even though it is out of our hands we have six points to play for. It might just fall for us,” insisted Southgate. “We have to win our matches.

“I have said to them in the dressing room that they will be stronger for the experience they have been through. You have to go through those nights and some found it tough during the game and some dealt very well.

“It’s painful but we have another big game on Saturday. If that keeps it alive until the final day then we have a chance.

“The fans have not given up on us. There will be more emotion after that match but after the last ten or 12 weeks they have rallied for the cause and that spirit will remain.

“That spirit saw this club through liquidation 20 years ago and that spirit will remain.

You have to come through the other side.”

After taking the lead inside 150 seconds when Habib Beye helped Tuncay Sanli’s saved shot over the line, Boro looked strong in a promising opening half.

But Newcastle levelled seven minutes later courtesy of Steven Taylor, before Obafemi Martins and Peter Lovenkrands emerged from the bench to score two goals in the final 20 minutes to secure a vital three points.

And while Newcastle are now looking upwards rather than down, Southgate is left planning for two remaining matches without Afonso Alves and David Wheater, who are expected to be ruled out with a broken foot and a knee problem respectively.

“It’s a very difficult evening for us, a lot of frustration and anguish in the dressing room,” said Southgate, who insisted that he will not walk away even if Middlesbrough go down. “It’s tough for anyone connected with our club to take.

“The key events on the evening have gone against us. Their second goal, looking at the replays, there was a foul from Mark Viduka and an offside. They are key things.”

But Southgate’s former England team-mate, Shearer, is fully confident Newcastle will be playing in the Premier League next season. If the Magpies beat Fulham at St James’ Park on Saturday, there is every chance that Liverpool rather than Leicester will be on the agenda next season.

“It’s a magnificent feeling. They were brilliant,” said Shearer.

“I asked them for courage, determination and ability, they have done all of that.

“It would have been easy for them to feel sorry for themselves when they went down. They had the belief to get something.”

Shearer, who refused to rule in or out whether he would stay on as manager, does though warn against complacency.

He said: “I have asked them for three huge performances. We have had one, now we need one on Saturday.

“It’s a first step, first of three. We asked them to get three points, they have done that.

“We have to do it again. It will be just as tough. I have said enjoy it. Worthy winners.”