Magpies looking to answer critics

Newcastle United will be hoping for a response to last weekend's result when they visit West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday

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Davide Santon escapes driving ban

Davide Santon
Davide Santon escapes driving ban Credit: Steve Drew/EMPICS Sport

Newcastle United's Davide Santon has been spared a driving ban for speeding after a court heard his girlfriend is due to give birth next week.

Accompanied by his heavily pregnant partner Chloe Sanderson the 22-year-old pleaded guilty to driving at 99mph in a 70mph zone on December 3 of last year.

The city's magistrates' court heard Santon had been 'anxious' to get to his home in Ponteland.

At Newcastle Magistrates' Court chairman of the bench John Phillips handed the Italian footballer five penalty points plus a fine costs of £325

He told the footballer: "You have got to calm your driving down."You have got to remember that you are a beacon for a lot of young male drivers in this country.

"They look up to you as a hero and you must be a good example to them."

Defence barrister Chris Mitford told the court that it 'had been the end of a very long day'.

"It is not a case where he was showing off, he was anxious to get home.

"If he had not been Italian he would have just got three penalty points and not be facing the possibility that you might disqualify him.

"A disqualification for him will be very difficult. His current circumstances are that his girlfriend is about to give birth,"

Steve Harper says goodbye to Newcastle United

It's time for Newcastle United's longest serving player to say goodbye as Steve Harper waves farewell to the club.

The player has been with the Magpies for 20 years and on Sunday he will play his final match for the club.

The 38-year old has always been a popular figure and, as Simon O'Rourke reports, he's had a distinguished, and unusual, career at St James Park.

Watch Simon's full report below.

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Newcastle safe in Premiership

Newcastle United have escaped relegation from the Premiership with a vital win against Queens Park Rangers.

They came from behind to win 1 - 2 in the capital.

RESULTS:

QPR 1 - 2 Newcastle United

Sunderland 1 - 1 Southampton

QPR took the lead through a goal from Loic Remy, a player who turned down Newcastle earlier in the season. Hatem Ben Arfa equalised with a penalty and Yoan Gouffran hit home the winner.

For Sunderland the uncertainty continues though as they could only draw with Southampton one all. Phil Bardsley got Sunderland's goal.

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Pardew "worried" about relegation

"I'm worried, of course. You can't come off a defeat like that and the manner it was without being worried.

"I'm not going to criticise my players, I'm not going to criticise the team in any shape or form on an individual basis.

"It was a collective effort and we fell down collectively."

– Alan Pardew, Newcastle manager
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