SIR BOBBY ROBSON might not be prepared to believe it, but Newcastle have entered the new year as more than just pretenders to the Premiership crown of leaders Arsenal.

Victory over crisis-torn Liverpool, whose own title credentials are in tatters after a run of ten League games without a win, lifted United back into fourth spot, level on points with third-placed Chelsea and with a game in hand on all their immediate rivals.

Robson insists United won't be genuine contenders until they improve their away form.

But if they do, and ensure St. James' Park remains an impregnable fortress, who can discount the Magpies' claims.

The enigmatic Laurent Robert sealed their ninth successive home League win against a Liverpool side who were reduced to ten men in the 66th minute when Salif Diao was sent off for a wild challenge on Andy Griffin; the Senegal midfielder had already been booked for a foul on Craig Bellamy after only seven minutes.

Robert grabbed only his second goal of the season after Alan Shearer was brought down on the right corner of the 18-yard box by John Arne Riise.

When Robert curled the free-kick in left-footed, it took a wicked deflection off Milan Baros which wrong-footed goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, who could only help the ball into the net.

Liverpool were without Michael Owen, Emile Heskey, former United star Didi Hamann and Danny Murphy.

But Newcastle had problems of their own, with Kieron Dyer, Gary Speed and Nolberto Solano all casualties of Sunday's 2-1 home win over Tottenham.

Consequently Robson was forced to name an almost entirely different midfield.

Brian Kerr, 21, was handed his full senior debut and Clarence Acuna made only his second start this season and first in the League.

Jermaine Jenas, such an able deputy for Speed when he came on against Spurs, lined up alongside Acuna in the middle.

With Griffin returning to defence, there was no room for Steve Caldwell, whose contract is up at the end of the season and yesterday became a free agent.

The teams wore black armbands in memory of Albert Stubbins, a legend with both clubs, who died last weekend at 83.

Two pitch inspections were needed before the game was given the go-ahead, but the heavy surface was no excuse for the crude late challenge Steven Gerrard committed on Olivier Bernard in only the third minute.

The tackle drew an angry reaction from Robson, who leapt from the dug-out to vent his disgust with Gerrard.

Four minutes later, Diao joined Gerrard in the book, but Liverpool's robust approach proved costly when Riise, himself lucky to escape a caution, lunged in on Shearer.

Only Kirkland's presence of mind and bravery prevented the Magpies from extending their lead in the 22nd minute when Shearer held the ball up to find Acuna, who played a one-two with Bellamy before seeing his shot blocked by the keeper, and Diao was then on hand to hack clear.

Liverpool finally managed a shot on target in the 32nd minute, but Gerrard's low, long-range drive was comfortably dealt with by keeper Shay Given.

Two minutes later, however, it was centre-back Aaron Hughes' goalmouth block that denied Riise after the Norwegian had connected with Bruno Cheyrou's left-wing corner.

Newcastle were close to scoring again four minutes before half-time when Jenas rolled a free-kick to Shearer 25 yards out, and the captain's powerful low drive drifted narrowly wide.

But the home side had a scare on the stroke of half-time due to Andy O'Brien's failure to hold on to possession under pressure from Gerrard.

The England midfielder flashed a right-wing centre across the face of goal and Griffin did well to put the ball behind with Cheyrou lurking.

United experienced another anxious moment five minutes into the second half when Diao headed the ball into the box and Baros, who looked offside, miskicked in front of goal with only Given to beat.

Jenas was then booked for a tackle from behind on Gerrard and the yellow card tally grew as El Hadji Diouf and Cheyrou were also cautioned for dissent and a foul on Bellamy respectively.

When Mr Gallagher produced the red card for Diao, Liverpool's hopes of salvaging the game further receded.

But substitute Neil Mellor, who had taken over from Baros, forced Given to make a smart save at his left-hand post with a glancing header on the end of Gerrard's free-kick. And Given was scampering back frantically as Mellor's shot was blocked by Hughes and looped just wide.

But Newcastle might have buried Liverpool late in the game. Robert's thundering shot was deflected over by Vladimir Smicer, substitute Shola Ameobi should have done better with a shot which was blocked, and Shearer saw his fierce drive saved low by Kirkland.

Result: Newcastle United 1 Liverpool 0.

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