Billy’s still so Sharp for Blades
Diame puts Toon promotion push into overdrive as he sinks old pals
THE SHEER bulldozer power of goalscorer Mo Diame lifted the hearts of Newcastle fans.
It paved the way for the mighty Magpies to return to their tabletop perch, but it made Diame a real heart-breaker for old club Wigan.
The former Latics favourite – he played nearly 100 games for the club – broke through Wigan’s dicky defence through sheer persistence and purpose to set up his breakthrough goal.
He carried the ball to the edge of the box, played a neat one-two with Isaac Hayden, then hammered an unstoppable shot past stranded keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen after 26 minutes.
And though it was a long time coming, the Toon’s victory was sealed in the 78th minute, courtesy of super sub Christian Atsu. The Chelsea loanee found himself in acres of space in front of goal, and after teeing himself up with his right, he hammered home with his left.
Right from the start, Diame had flashed out a warning as he t e sted vet e ran keeper Jaaskelainen with a thunderous, long- range blast, which the 41year-old keeper did well to turn for a corner.
Midfield maestro Jonjo Shelvey pulled all the strings and set up a host of attacking moves from the start. He also saw a free- kick effort held by Jaaskelainen.
And from a beautifullycrafted Shelvey pass through Wigan’s static defence, Yoan Gouffran was unable to get the power need to beat Wigan’s flying Finn. A long-range free kick gave leading marksman Dwight Gayle the chance to add to his 16 strikes this season, but Jaaskelainen was able to deal with it.
But Newcast le lived dangerously too on occasion, as Warren Joyce’s strugglers showed they can switch from defence to attack in a trice.
Twice, their Northern Ireland star Will Grigg showed menace, just failing to connect with one cross, then heading just wide from another breakaway.
Karl Darlow also blocked an Andy Kellet blast for a corner, but in the end, Newcastle ran off with that top-of-the-table feeling. FOREST were handed an early Christmas gift by Chris Maxwell to help them hit back after living a charmed life against North End.
Preston ‘keeper Maxwell was unfortunate to see a Thomas Lam shot hit the post and then rebound off the back of his head for Forest’s point-saver.
His opposite number, Vladimir Stojkovic, had made three excellent early saves.
But he couldn’t prevent Danish international Simon Makienok (right) from giving Preston a deserved lead before the break.
Fellow Dane Nicklas Bendtner had a torrid time, missing two great chances for Forest. A STUNNING half-volley from Tom Ince left Derby in seventh heaven.
Ince’s goal lifted the Rams back up to fifth place in the Championship and gave them their seventh successive win. But the goal was against the run of play and QPR created most of the chances.
The Hoops could not find a cutting edge to match their build-up play and found keeper Scott Carson keen to keep a fifth clean sheet in a row.
He fingertipped QPR’s best effort – a 24-yard shot on the turn from former France Under-18 international Yeni Ngbakoto – over the bar then got lucky when Massimo Luongo’s deflected shot dropped wide. BILLY SHARP wants to hit 300 goals before he retires – and finally get Sheffield United out of League One.
The striker, 30, has a remarkable scoring record with 173 goals in 353 league starts, plus 11 in the cups.
This season he has 12, taken over as club captain and under new boss Chris Wilder hopes to end United’s five years in the third tier.
Wilder took over from Nigel Adkins in May, overhauled the squad with 13 players in and 14 out and pepped up training.
Sharp said: “He has a rule in training – if you are not dead, it is not a foul. It is up to you if you want to wear shin pads!”
That fierce competition has taken the Blades into third place, three points off leaders Scunthorpe.
Sharp has been pivotal and wants to end a fivegame drought against Coventry tonight.
He said: “I managed to get 20-plus last season, which is the target for any striker. My aim is 27 this season to get me to 200 career goals. If I can do that and get promotion I would be really, really happy.
“I’d like to get to 200 as soon as possible, then 250. If I can keep the ratio going, maybe I could get to 300.
“I remember most of my goals, especially when you get to a ground and remember where you stuck it in from.
“I do like a tap-in – 30 yards or one yard, they all count. I’ve added a few longrange ones this season that have come as a shock.
“I remember scoring my first-ever football league goal on my 18th birthday for Rushden and Diamonds. I have come a long way since then. The shirts have got a bit tighter as well!
“Looking back at the pictures, I don’t know what my haircut was about either.
“I have enjoyed every minute. I love scoring goals and hope to get many more this season.”
MATCH STATS