Newcastle came from behind on Wednesday night to register a gutsy victory over in-form Reading and put an end to Reading’s four game winning streak. It was a typical Newcastle game – nothing comes easy for them – white knuckle stuff – but this was a creditable performance by a Newcastle side who have 12 first-teamers out through injury.

The first half was interesting in that Reading had a lot of possession but Newcastle created the real clear cut chances. Sibierski almost put Newcastle ahead with a header from a Milner cross, that was straight at Hahnemann, when it looked easier to score.

But then on 23 minutes the free-transfer man from Manchester City, who is fast becoming a cult hero on Tyneside, put Newcastle ahead with a well worked goal. Reading cleared the ball but right-back Solano (he’s so much better than Carr), curled in a beautiful cross that the diving Sibierski headed home for his 6th goal of the season.

After this Newcastle had several chances, with Milner blazing wide and Martins hitting the bar with a header, but they were unable to capitilize.

After 37 minutes Hunt came off and was replaced by Little and Newcastle suddenly conceded a goal rather unluckily. A shot by Harper was deflected out of Given’s reach by Solano. From nothing, suddenly everything was level, and until half-time Newcastle looked all at sea.

On 42 minutes Babayaro failed to clear a bouncing ball (in fact he failed even to make contact) which was then played across the goal that Given managed to palm out but Harper was again lurking to guide a beautiful shot into the right hand corner. Reading could well have scored a third before half time such was the chaotic state of the Newcastle defense, with Solano saving Newcastle on a couple of occassions.

The half time whistle came and the Magpies were booed off by the field.

Reading started the second half with great confidence and for the first fifteen minutes looked a side used to winning. At this point Newcastle were chasing the game. Then on 57 minutes Martins was brought down in the penalty area – it looked a little harsh on Reading – but nevertheless a penalty it was.

Martins elected to take it (instead of Solano) in the white-hot atmosphere, and stroked it to the right of the goal beyond Hahnemann. This was his first Premiership goal at St James’ Park.

Newcastle were now right back in the game and within 2 minutes Sibierski had the ball in the net having skillfully rounded Hahnemann before sliding the ball home from an acute angle. For some unknown reason, that is still not clear, referee Styles disallowed the goal. Certainly the referee assistant had NOT flagged for offside and there didn’t seem to be any foul committed on the play.

It is situations like these that referees need to explain – either during the game or at the very least, after the game.

The game went on with both sides looking to win and then a little piece of magic won the game for Newcastle.

Emre collected the ball on the half-way line, moved towards the goal, and as the Reading defenders backed off, he moved inside to his left and hit a superb shot over Hahnemann and into the net, to a tremendous roar from the crowd. It is games like these that can be won by that little bit of quality, and Emre provided it in this game, which was so crucial to Newcastle.

To their credit, both sides continued to go for another goal and this pulsating game ended after 4 minutes of added time.

A really courageous win by a Newcastle side that was all guts and glory – and Reading will feel they were unlucky to have come away from St James’ with no points after a very good performance.