HE frightens Bobby Robson, Harry Redknapp thinks he's the most "incredible competitor" he has ever seen and Andy Griffin wouldn't mind having him back at Newcastle.

Who are they talking about?

Well, Stuart Pearce is his name and on Saturday he took the plaudits from every corner of the ground.

The Hammers love him and so did the Geordie faithful, who chanted his name and then cheered as he handed his shirt to them at the end of the game.

Respect from one and all and it is so well deserved.

Few players will ever have the same drive, determination and unequivocal lust for the game.

He may be 38, but you'd never think so as he out-muscled, out-ran and out-fought Newcastle's younger frontmen and undoubtedly helped his side to a first home League victory they, on the whole, didn't deserve.

Towards the end of this competitive encounter as Newcastle battled gamely for an equaliser to Frederic Kanoute's 73rd minute strike, Pearce was a man mountain with several timely clearances to keep the visitors out.

"He was just everywhere at the end and the amount of balls he headed out in the last ten minutes was amazing," said boss Redknapp. "He was absolutely incredible.

"Where do you find someone like him? He is 38, but has the body of a 20-year-old.

"He is an example for everyone to follow. He is here on a month-to-month contract, but I love having him here and hope he will stay for as long as possible."

Newcastle just might regret releasing him last August as they saw their defensive problems mount with Marcelino (groin) and Didier Domi (virus) joining the walking wounded which already includes Nikos Dabizas and Warren Barton.

But for every dark cloud there is a silver lining and Newcastle boss Robson had two at Upton Park.

First he gambled on midfielder Robert Lee in an unfamiliar sweeper role and then thrust Chilean international Clarence Acuna in for his debut in Lee's usual spot.

Both worked a treat with composed, controlled and cultured performances.

Lee seemed to create time in his libero role and sprayed passes with ease, and even former England pal Pearce was impressed as he said: "I have had players come up to me after the game, including Marc Keller, and want to know how Robert Lee can play like that!

"He was fantastic. He played as a defender and brought the ball forward. In England people say we do not have that type of player, but I suggest they have a look at Robert Lee."

While chief Robson compared him to the great German sweepers, Franz Beckenbauer, Matthias Sammer and Lothar Matthaus, Pearce is cautious after just one outing and it may be worth continuing with him in the role to see.

But a new Matthaus?

"You never know," added Pearce. "Rob's a bit more mobile than Matthaus!"

Mobile is certainly what Acuna is too, and a good player to boot.

Robson may well have unearthed another gem in the 25-year-old, who has been capped 55 times by his country and cost a bargain £1.5m from Universidad de Chile.

Acuna was combative with a string of blockbusting challenges and pushed and probed as if he had been part of the Newcastle midfield for ever. He only arrived a week ago and speaks little English, but he certainly understands the language of football and if this debut is anything to go by, he will certainly make a major impact in the future.

Newcastle are also certain to enjoy greater reward if they play like this in the future.

They worked hard, played some delightful football with their intricate passing, but just lacked the final ball or the final touch to round it all off.

It was so infuriating as they frequently carved open the Hammers side only to waste promising opportunities.

Hammers keeper Shaka Hislop, another former Magpie, was barely troubled apart from a ninth-minute Alan Shearer header, which he pushed out at his near post.

When he was beaten in the 64th minute, Rio Ferdinand was on hand to head clear Nol Solano's goal-bound chip after a flowing move.

At the other end, though, Shay Given was forced into more action to keep out some long-range efforts from the busy Joe Cole.

His best was saved for Frank Lampard's rasping volley from a Cole cross in the 27th minute when the Irishman arched back to tip the ball over superbly.

When the goal came it was simple as substitute Davor Suker pushed the ball through, it deflected off Lee and into the path of Kanoute who shot inside Given's near post for his first goal of the season.

Pearce, harshly shown the door at St James' Park by Ruud Gullit, then showed his characteristics of old to keep the Newcastle attacking hordes at bay and so continue their capital jinx.

It's now 20 games since they last won in London - at Crystal Palace in 1997. Can they stop the rot at Arsenal on December 9