ALAN SHEARER last night claimed Newcastle United have proven once again that there is a genuine camaraderie within the dressing room striving for success on Tyneside.

After a turbulent five days since the Lee Bowyer-Kieron Dyer punch-up at St James' Park, Newcastle managed to forget about their off-field problems by gaining the upper-hand in the UEFA Cup clash with Sporting Lisbon on Thursday night.

Dyer was busy and largely ignored by supporters from the start, while his replacement Bowyer was given an outlandish standing ovation from the same set of fans when he entered the fray just after the hour mark.

The developments in the stands have helped Newcastle take a large step towards forgetting about the whole scenario and focus on trying to claim the club's first trophy since 1969.

Shearer struck the only goal against Sporting and the clean sheet at the other end has given the Magpies every chance of booking a place in the UEFA Cup semi-finals when they make the trip to Portugal for the return leg on Thursday.

And the Newcastle skipper believes the way victory was secured at St James' Park two days ago has highlighted how manager Graeme Souness has managed to instil a sense of unity.

"It was important to put on a good display against Sporting after everything what has happened but that was never in any doubt," said Shearer.

"We have always said we are close knit bunch and whatever happened on Saturday against Aston Villa happened, everyone has apologised for their part and we are concentrating on football again. That's all we can do."

The amazing way the fans reacted to Bowyer's introduction against Sporting was completely unexpected, with the vast majority anticipating a backlash against the St James' Park one.

The club had labelled the 28-year-old as 'indefensible' for instigating the brawl with his team-mate and fined him six weeks wages - amounting to over £200,000.

But the fans showed in Bowyer's first game back that they intend to do everything possible to ensure he can focus on performing to a high level consistently again.

And Shearer said: "I'm not surprised by the fans' reactions and I'm delighted. He was as well. He has asked everyone to thank them on his behalf. It could have quite easily gone the other way but it was a great reception.

"Everyone has said their piece and said their apologies and hopefully we can move on. I didn't know, the manager didn't know and Lee didn't know what sort of reception he was going to get but it really was fantastic when he came on.

"Lee also deserves praise for the way he played when he went on - which can't have been easy for him in those circumstances. Now we just have to put it all to bed and start to talk about football."

Shearer's 192nd strike for Newcastle has put him to within eight of Jackie Milburn's club record but he insists thwarting Sporting's attacking advances were just as vital. Having stopped the Portuguese giants from scoring, Newcastle know if they can score just once in the Estadio Jose Alvalade next week that it will leave their opponents needing three to go through.

And Shearer, due to line up at Tottenham tomorrow, is confident of doing just that. "The most important thing was keeping the clean sheet. Our two goalkeepers (Shay Given and Steve Harper) were excellent, a different kettle of fish to what it was on Saturday when we lost to Aston Villa.

"Everyone of us stood up to be counted and really got amongst them. It was a good performance by everyone. We have given ourselves every chance of going through because we can go over there and be confident of scoring."

Newcastle's trip to Tottenham would normally have come at an ideal time for young defender Steven Taylor - instead he will have to remain on Tyneside and watch it on Sky Sports.

Taylor started his first senior game in his preferred centre-back position against Sporting on Thursday and performed well, but he is now ruled out of the trip to White Hart Lane through suspension.

But the 20-year-old, sent off for deliberate handball against Villa, expects to be given another chance in that role before the end of the campaign by Souness.

"I know what it's like to have to play with ten men - it's very difficult. To be sent off as I was was disappointing but missing one game is better than missing three games," he said.

"I knew some pressure was on me on Thursday but to be given the chance to play centre-half was unbelievable. But, that said, the gaffer has promised all season that I'd play there and I respect him so much for that."

With the injured Titus Bramble on his way back to compete for a place alongside Jean-Alain Boumsong, Taylor may have his work cut out.

But he said: "I think all through the side, no matter who you are, it's great competition for all of us. But that's what I love so I can't complain one bit. I love a challenge."

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