SIR BOBBY ROBSON last night accused Sunderland fans of aiming "distasteful gesticulations'' at stricken Newcastle skipper Alan Shearer and also claimed Black Cats defender Darren Williams "lost his head'' in Saturday's derby at the Stadium of Light.

Newcastle manager Robson was disgusted with the treatment Shearer received from a section of home supporters when he was forced off with an ankle injury in the first half.

And an angry Robson fired a double broadside, insisting right-back Williams was fortunate to escape a red card.

Robson admitted that the battle-scarred Shearer could be out for the rest of the season after a biting tackle from tenacious Sunderland midfielder Sean Thornton.

Shearer, who went into the game with bandages protecting a head wound and a fractured knuckle, left Wearside on crutches.

Robson was relieved to see his side claim a vital 1-0 victory, thanks to Nolberto Solano's 42nd-minute penalty, and move back into third place in the Premiership in their bid to secure a Champions League spot.

But the injury to Shearer cast a shadow over the Magpies' celebrations. Robson said: "I don't want to say Alan won't play again this season, but there must be some doubt about whether he will.

"It sounds like he'll have a scan. He's walking very badly; he's on crutches but he's finding that difficult because he's got a broken hand and he can't put any weight on it. He could do with a wheelchair!

"When he came off, I saw some of the distasteful gesticulations to a former England captain. He's been a wonderful player and still is - and people do that.''

Referee Steve Bennett booked eight players - four from either side. Williams and Newcastle midfielder Hugo Viana were cautioned after an off-the-ball clash in the first half, but Robson felt the Sunderland man should have gone for a later challenge.

"I thought Williams was lucky not to get sent off,'' said Robson. "He already had a yellow card and I couldn't see how Hugo could have got one.

"The referee levelled that up for some reason and Hugo got a card he didn't deserve. It was accidental handball, the linesman flagged and Williams lost his head and pushed Hugo, who just responded, and got a yellow card - for what?

"Williams then made a pretty horrendous tackle and I spoke to the referee about it. He said, 'Bobby, not every foul merits a yellow card.' I said, 'Just remember that next time.' But he didn't.''

Newcastle suffered a further injury blow when centre-back Andy O'Brien, who scored their point-saver at Sunderland two seasons ago, sustained a broken nose.

O'Brien is ruled out of the Republic of Ireland's game with Norway at Landsdowne Road on Wednesday.

"Andy has no chance of going with Ireland,'' said Robson. "He's got a nose like a parrot. It's similar to the injury he received away to Inter Milan last month.''

With Chelsea and Liverpool only a point behind, Robson is anxious to see his side seal a top-four place in their remaining two games at home to lowly Birmingham on Saturday and away to relegated West Brom on the final day of the campaign.

"I thought three weeks ago that we wouldn't need anything from the last two games; we were 12 points ahead of Liverpool at one stage,'' said Robson.

"It's going to the wire. It's in the hands of the players, but I think we'll be all right.''

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