Blackburn Rovers 1 Newcastle United 0 - Peter White's verdict on the final match of the season

CHRIS Sutton clearly remembered the motto of the long-dissolved SAS partnership as he struck the golden goal which meant so much to Blackburn Rovers - Who Dares Wins.

In years to come, his blistering free kick struck past, among others, the other half of that famous duo, Alan Shearer, will perhaps be christened the Ewood version of the "Euro".

For it clinched Rovers' place in the UEFA Cup with just a couple of minutes left of a 10-month stint by manager Roy Hodgson which, he admitted, felt more like 10 years!

The next addition to Ewood's facilities could well be a hot line from manager's bench to owner Jack Walker high in the stand which bears his name.

For, with the tension almost unbearable as Steve Watson fouled Martin Dahlin in the 'D' of the Newcastle penalty area, Hodgson recalled the tormented thoughts which passed through his mind.

And 'Uncle Jack' revealed how he could have eased those fears.

"Derek Fazackerley and I were praying on the bench that he (Sutton) was going to strike it, because we saw Kevin Gallacher there maybe thinking about a little curler over the wall," explained the manager.

"I was secretly willing Chris to at least blast it, hope for the best and that he might just get the ball through.

"Luckily, there must have been some mental telepathy, because he did it. "The fact that we work on that, and tell him he should do that, doesn't always work out in games.

"Sometimes in games they invent a new free kick, normally to my chagrin."

But Mr Walker had no such fears, as he told me afterwards: "I knew it was there before it left his foot, I told everybody near me - this is it."

Sutton's blockbuster - remind you of anyone? - scorched through the defensive wall, clipped a post and released the kind of celebrations we haven't seen for quite a while.

It was sheer, unrestrained joy that a season which promised so much, then threatened to disappear into oblivion would, after all, deliver the prize.

And, whatever your feelings about those defections to Newcastle, the circumstances could hardly have been sweeter for Rovers supporters.

Alan Shearer was shackled - no other word for it - not simply by a distinct lack of creative ability in the Newcastle ranks but by the excellent Stephane Henchoz and the outstanding Colin Hendry.

For, as Rovers know only too well, this man can create goals out of nothing.

But Newcastle, heading for a Wembley showdown with Arsenal, didn't manage a single shot on target and couldn't even raise enough of a gallop to win a corner.

They also had the embarrassment of David Batty being sent off on his old ground and referee David Elleray had no choice as he was close enough to witness the midfielder lashing out in fury at Garry Flitcroft. Whether he made contact or not is irrelevant. It was a case of the red mist getting the red card it deserved.

That didn't particularly help Rovers' cause as it simply meant Newcastle would concentrate even more on diligent defending.

But, even though Sutton's super strike was Rovers' only genuine on-target shot, it should also be recorded that they did create openings - albeit not too many - and were the only side to look possible winners.

It was a dour struggle but, with so much at stake, a cup-tie atmosphere.

Newcastle were playing for Wembley places, Rovers to grasp the European prize which has threatened to slip through their fingers.

Happily, there is to be no back-door entry into the UEFA Cup. They have finished sixth on merit.

It was a strange beginning, with Hodgson's best-laid plans wrecked as early as the fourth minute when Stuart Ripley had to limp off with a pulled thigh muscle.

Gary Croft went on, Jason Wilcox moved forward from his left back spot and Damien Duff switched to the right flank.

Chances were few, with Shearer prompting an early scare as Tim Flowers dashed out to beat him to the ball, but the England skipper was to become an isolated figure as Hendry and Henchoz were an impenetrable barrier. Two crosses from Duff could easily have created goals and a marvellous Rovers move on 26 minutes saw Sutton denied.

It began with two stern challenges by Croft and Wilcox, continued with a lovely pass from the the full back to the winger who hit a superb cross.

Sutton charged in for the kill but his volley seemed to be deflected just wide.

That was the finest moment of the first half and clear-cut chances were almost as rare after the break, certainly for Newcastle whose attacking threat was, basically, nil.

Rovers looked certain to take the lead on 55 minutes when Flitcroft put Wilcox away with a superb pass. The cross was excellent but Philippe Albert got the faintest of touches and the ball somehow evaded Sutton at point-blank range.

The atmosphere had been simmering and it reached boiling point when Flitcroft challenged Batty, the tussle continued and the Newcastle man foolishly lashed out in frustration.

Intent was all the referee had to see and that was quite clearly there. The red card also produced an angry reaction. Wilcox then shot wide and we started to despair of seeing a goal against a Newcastle side whose reputation for tight defence was matched only by the poverty of their attack.

It was the 88th minute before the emotions were uncorked like a bottle of bubbly on the Formula One winners' podium.

Thoughts ran through the mind such as how many free kicks do Rovers score from? Or if only Shearer could take it.

Sutton, however, is THE man at Ewood now and he blitzed an unstoppable shot to spark off amazing scenes of celebration.

But then, Jack Walker knew it all along.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.