LONDON. Sept 8 Life could hardly sweeter for former England captain Alan Shearer even though he might be short of a bit of sleep at the moment, reports AFP.
Shearer netted from the penalty spot in his 375th league appearance in the 2-0 triumph at Coventry on Wednesday, scoring his 200th League goal in the process. It rounded off a memorable, if sleepless, few days for Shearer since the birth of his first son. Will, last Friday
Shearer has excelled at club level tills season and his goals have helped fire Newcastle to the top of the English Premiership - albeit after Just four games.
His strike at Highfield Road saw the Magpies on the way to Iheir third successive victory and elavated the North East club into pole position.
"The 200th goal has been a long time coming, spanning four games, but more Impor tantly I'm pleased with the three points and we thoroughly deserved them." said a happy Shearer.
"We are certainly not getting carried away with Newcastle United being top and I’ve said before that we won't win the Premiership this season. But if we can keep Impiming as we have done then who knows where It will get us?
There is a marked difference to this time last year. It took us something like 10 or 11 games to get to nine points but this time we've got nine from four. We are delighted with our start and long may it continue.
"Now I need a good sleep to be honest because with the baby just coming I've had a couple of sleepless nights!"
Newcastle manager Bobby Robson was quick to salute the achievements of Shearer whose goalscoring record speaks for itself.
To get to 200 League goals Is a phenomenal effort on his part and will be a relief to him. said the Newcastle boss.
"It's a milestone. It means a player Is averaging 20 goals a season over 10 years at the highest level and remember he has missed two full seasons with his cruciate Injury and broken ankle.
"He has got a remarkable record and he has not finished his career yet. He's still only 30“
Newcastle entertain Chelsea at St James's Park on Saturday, looking to take advantage of a side whose defensive frailties have begun to undermine their title challenge.
Gianluca Vlalli's side threw away a two-goal lead on Wednesday to end up with just a point in a thrilling 2-2 draw at home to London rivals Arsenal.
It was a case of deja vu for Chelsea who were winning 2-0 in the same fixture last season only to end up with nothing when Nwankwo Kanu scored a hat-trick In the last 15 minutes.
And Vlalll believes his side need to show a mean streak If they are to put their championship challenge back on track.
"Having quality players they' always try to play football and there are pros anti cons In that, but sometimes you have to realise you have to be a bit ruth-
"Sometimes you don't have to care where the ball goes as long as it is going far from your goal. These are all things we know but football Is played by human beings and we all make mistakes.
"Perhaps we all remembered what happened last season and that was tn the back of our minds but I think tiredness was probably more the reason than a lack of confidence.
"Al least this year we got a point because (he way things were going we feared the worst. We played some good football and looked very solid for 70 minutes but at the end we got a bit tired and started defending a bit too deep."
He added: "It was too easy for them to go past us at times, we have to make it more difficult. At the moment we are not at our peak physically and against Arsenal you are going to pay heavily for that."
FIXTURES (kick-off
1400gmt unless stated):
Saturday: Bradford v Arsenal. Coventry' v Leeds. Ipswich v Aston Villa. Leicester v Southampton. Liverpool v Manchester City, Manchester United v Sunderland. Middlesbrough v Everton, Newcastle v Chelsea
Sunday: Derby v Charlton (1500GMT)
Monday: Tottenham v West Ham (1900GMT)