At the end of a truly miserable September, a comment appeared in these pages about looking forward to an October revolution for the team.

Well, it was almost a case of be careful what you wish for in west London on Tuesday evening, as a suspect package threatened to blow away our hopes of a third successive away win and see this fixture postponed for the second time.

Thankfully a controlled explosion neutralised any threat and after a delay to proceedings we belatedly got underway. Or at least Fulham did.

It was difficult to gauge who was the more shocked after ten minutes of play, our lot for finding themselves two goals down, the nominal home side for scoring them, or the toon fans behind Given's goal who had already had to endure two former Magpies rippling the net nearest to them.

However, clad in what must now be known as our "lucky" grey away strip (three outings, three wins) we were at least stung into action at the other end of the field, showing ourselves as far more of an attacking force than at the Riverside.

Nevertheless a goal was desperately required from Shearer and Co. to start the fightback, peg back the Fulham advance and chuck the travelling fans a lifeline. Under those circumstances, Robert's close-range effort was perfectly timed.

Sir Bobby (or someone) imparted some words of wisdom over the tea cups and his men could hardly have approached the second half in a more positive fashion if he'd conducted his half-time teamtalk whilst brandishing a cocked pistol.

Unlike Boro on Saturday, there were hardly any cheers or chants tonight for Viana and Lua as they limbered up on the sidelines - there was more going on within the white lines to hold the attention.

And by the time Given's reflex to stretch out a foot and block a goal bound shot preserved our 3:2 advantage, every one of our side had contributed something positive to the cause in a stirring fightback that saw us dominate the game.

Shola's direct run to force Goma into bringing him down was almost replicated on another couple of occasions as for once he and Shearer complimented each other. And with Dyer absent, Jenas made a return to form with a good assist Shearer's second as we looked motivated and united. If anyone struggled it was Aaron Hughes, again not looking happy at full back and at least in the first half, too prone to slipping off his feet.

While a variety of ailments and disputes sideline Dyer, Bellamy and Solano, we still took the fight to Fulham with what we had at our disposal - notably Bowyer, who for the first time in our colours successfully trod a fine line between being fiercely competitive but with a measure of self-control.

Once or twice events in his vicinity looked momentarily as if they'd provoke a reaction, not least on the three occasions he was left on the deck after blatant hoofings disguised as tackles and the two apparent incidents when home players stamped on him as he lay on the turf.

The nearest we came to a flare-up was with some eyeballing of Malbranque on the final whistle, but Bowyer wisely kept his counsel and can reflect on another game when he's been worthy of selection.

Honourable mentions to the defence for recovering from an horrendous start and for Bernard in sticking to his task on our left touchline, especially after the break. 

That said though, Coleman's side were rather less than mustard once the comeback began and were frankly there to be beaten in the second half. Thankfully, unlike similar situations at Elland Road and Goodison, we didn't pass up the opportunity of three points on this occasion.

Post-match Sir Bobby was fulsome in his praise of the "awesome" Alan Shearer, who led by example on a night when another Magpie goalscoring record fell and he incidentally moved to joint top of this season's Premiership shooting charts.

However on a personal level, our manager was no doubt chuffed to have righted the wrongs of the corresponding fixture in the last two seasons - even if he was denied the pleasure of savouring a victory on the Craven Cottage ground he once exited in tears after losing his first coaching job. 

Some satisfaction also for Sir Bobby that as a result of this win, his much-maligned side sit in the top half of the table, above such alleged managerial messiahs as Houllier, Moyes, Souness and O'Leary.

Like the team, reports of his demise have been exaggerated and we now approach another three-match home series in better fettle and with greater confidence than the last one a few weeks ago. The teams were have to face are also supposedly inferior to that Man U / Partizan / Birmingham nightmare than knocked us out of kilter for a few weeks.

There still remain unresolved personnel issues for the manager to deal with and any further injury problems in crucial areas would expose the shortcomings of our squad. 

For now though the mood of both players and fans has lifted considerably, the number nine continues to lead by example, the Champions League disappointment has retreated into the background and we are at last competing on the field. That'll do for now.

Biffa