Source: Eurosport
Hughton heaps praise on Harper
Manager Chris Hughton praised the quality of Newcastle goalkeeper Steve Harper after Monday night's 1-0 win at Sheffield United which restored the Magpies' position at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship.[LNB] The 34-year-old produced several fine stops to help condemn the Blades to a fourth straight league defeat, but none better than the brilliant reaction save to keep out Darius Henderson's point-blank header in stoppage time.[LNB] Asked whether his side were fortunate to leave with a win, Hughton said: "No. What we have had is Steve Harper who made a couple of absolutely fabulous saves and that's the quality of the keeper he is. Over the 90 minutes we deserved what we got." [LNB] Hughton added: "He's doing the business. There are different aspects to Steve Harper. He's a Newcastle lad and has been here for a long time, he's a very calming influence, a mature lad and a mature player and that has been invaluable for us.[LNB] "It was vitally important we got something from the game."[LNB] Newcastle climbed back to the summit courtesy of a lucky own goal after Ryan Taylor's low 25-yard shot deflected off hapless Blades captain Chris Morgan and into the bottom corner to heap more pressure on the hosts' manager Kevin Blackwell.[LNB] Hughton dismissed suggestions Leicestershire referee Kevin Friend might have blown for a foul in the build-up to the goal when Kevin Nolan clattered into Blades defender Kyle Walker, leaving the ball to break free into Taylor's path.[LNB] Hughton, marking his first game as permanent manager with his side's third win in seven league matches, said: "My first impressions are that he won the ball."
