Elliot’s birthday blunder gifts the points to Newcastle

Joey Barton, not stand-in skipper Smith, had the courage to step up and win the game from the spot for Newcastle, who had not won away since their season opener at Bolton.

Barton said: "James Milner was actually on it but I said I wanted to take it and was confident I would score. I really fancied it and the main thing is that the team won."

But, Fabio Capello take note, home boss Lawrie Sanchez assures us that Omozusi's birthday giveaway will not affect the talented youngster.

Sanchez, whose side have slipped into the relegation zone, said: 'He's a laidback character. He'll go on and become a good player. The Premier League is a difficult place to learn and sometimes things like that happen, but I have no doubts he'll be a good player for Fulham over many years.

"I've been forced to bring him in a bit sooner than I would have liked. He's played at Man United, Everton away and at home against Reading and he's slotted straight into it. It was unfortunate that it was he who gave the penalty away but that sums up everything that has gone on this year at this club."

As if to sum up Sanchez's despair, he added: "Let's get rid of 2006 — well three more games — then roll on 2007, I mean 2008!"

The former Northern Ireland boss, who for once resisted complaining about the referee, could be forgiven for not knowing what year it is. His mind must have been racing trying to work out how Fulham had failed to take anything from the game. This match deserved to be a goalless draw. It was awful.

Not that visiting centre-half David Rozehnal could care less. After Newcastle's second consecutive last-gasp victory, the Czech Republic defender said: "It may have been in the last minute of the game that we won but the confidence we will get from that can only be a good thing.

"I know that it's important to think clean sheets every game but it's more important that we win every game and if it's 5-4 I don't care."

Such high-scoring thrillers are unlikely to be the norm under Sam Allardyce. Although riled by accusations that he imposes a Route One approach on his sides, there is no doubting that Newcastle under Big Sam are developing a backbone.

This was their first away clean sheet in 13 months and, now unbeaten in three matches with hapless Derby up next, life on Tyneside is looking a sight rosier — especially for Claudio Cacapa.

The Brazil defender made his first appearance since being hauled off after just 17 minutes in the 4-1 home thumping by Portsmouth last month due to Steven Taylor failing a late fitness test on a hamstring. On this showing, the 31-year-old appears to have banished those Pompey demons.

Defensive partner Rozehnal added: "First of all, Claudio is a great player. What happened before was a pity because he made some mistakes. Sometimes when you make mistakes like that you look like the worst player in the world but this is football and he is a great defender.

"You can see in this game he did a great job. I felt good close to him because he is a player with a lot of experience. There is a lot of pressure on us and we need this type of player."

What this game needed was a flash of inspiration; unfortunately it was decided by an illtimed teenage kick