Rescue mission for Newcastle

Dubai: Desperate times call for desperate measures. This weekend's fixture between Newcastle and Chelsea was always going to be a focal point given the respective situations of both clubs.

But the return of the Prodigal Son, otherwise known as Alan Shearer, to the North East club has galvanised his former club before a ball has even been kicked.

With their caretaker manager Joe Kinnear still in hospital following heart surgery and his assistant Chris Hughton unable to halt their alarming slide down the table, Newcastle have turned to Shearer - top scorer in the club's history -- to stave off relegation and steer them to safety in the remaining eight games of the season.

First up for the home-town hero, a playing legend in a black and white shirt and now a potential managerial saviour, is Guus Hiddink's Chelsea, hardly the easiest start for 38-year-old Shearer who has never tasted management before yet who will be given a rapturous ovation when he steps out at an expectant St. James' Park.

Shearer will be the first to recognise the challenge ahead. The Magpies sit third from bottom and face a tough run of fixtures in their fight to avoid the drop.

But he has made little secret of his desire to manage and set about attaining his coaching badges while carrying out the media work which has kept him in touch with the game since his retirement three years ago.

With the club in disarray on and off the field, Shearer's shrewd tactical mind could be just the tonic Newcastle need but make no mistake, Chelsea will be out to spoil the party as they pursue their lingering hopes of overhauling Manchester United.

Realistically of course, the only team who could do that are Liverpool, one point behind and having played a game more than United.

That means no slips-up between now and the end of the season for Rafa Benitez's side. How ironic, then, that they should be travelling today to Fulham who did them a massive favour before the international break by knocking United out of their stride with a 2-0 victory.

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso admits United are still favourites to retain their crown but the events of the past few weeks have certainly opened up the race and Alonso sees no reason why a 19-year wait for the title could not be sated this season.

"Liverpool have demonstrated this season that they are superior to United in the two matches between the teams," he said.

"Nobody could dispute that, but now it is a real race for the title. It is not impossible to imagine that we could win all of our next eight matches while United lose two. But we know that we need to remain calm and to play without any real pressure or fear."

United's game at the weekend is a home fixture with Aston Villa, who could not be visiting Old Trafford at a worse time as they try their best to arrest an alarming slide that has dented confidence ahead of the run-in.

Villa are still likely to finish in the European places, a significant achievement, but for a long while a Champions League spot looked a genuine possibility.

Arsenal, who take on Manchester City hoping to extend a 16-match unbeaten run, are now poised to take that spot while there are three tasty six-pointers at the bottom with West Brom meeting Stoke, Middlesbrough visiting Bolton and Hull hosting Portsmouth.

Every point at this game of the season is critical for teams but West Brom and Middlesbrough appear to be the sides in most danger.

Gareth Southgate is one of the EPL's true gentlemen but prizes are not awarded for being nice and Southgate looks certain to lose his job should Boro go down.

West Brom simply have to beat Stoke to stand any chance while Hull and Portsmouth could easily fall into the drop zone in the coming weeks if results go against them.

Hull were flying high in the top three back in the autumn as they threw caution to the wind. Although no one realistically expected them to stay there, survival would nevertheless constitute success for a club most said would go down.

The other team still in dire trouble are Blackburn Rovers. Sam Allardyce was brought in to create stability and confidence and if Rovers beat mid-table Spurs, a huge weight will be lifted.

If not, the worry and anxiety will continue. Elsewhere, West Ham meet Sunderland while tomorrow Wigan perhaps the biggest success story of the season given their size - go to Everton.

The author is a football expert based in London.