Having avoided a trip to Goodison for the whole of 1999, after what seemed like a period in residence at the North end of Stanley Park in the previous few years, one of the worst away sections in Britain played host to an ebullient Tyneside travelling support on Sunday.

Whether it's the late kickoff that results in the lubrication of Newcastle fans at away games, or the fact that they're merely topping up from the previous nights' excesses, many of the most vocal elements of the Bobby Robson fan club were there in both body and spirit(s). 

As well as pumping up the volume and eventually provoking a muted response from the miserable home support, at least one Toon fan chose to display his posterior in the general direction of the silent blue masses in the Park Stand. Unfortunately, he also managed to draw the attention of the forces of law and order, and was soon picked out by a burly constable. 

After a brief exchange of views the by-now clothed lad was ejected without further displays of flesh, possibly after spotting the large sticks that many of the other bobbies were swinging and imagining whereabouts on his person the shiny metal end might be embedded....

Despite this early off-field setback, the assembled multitudes compensated for their slight depletion with a tremendous half-time rendition of "black and white army" that sent several small children cowering into the overcoats of their elders and hopefully dislodged ornaments from TV sets tuned to SKY Sports in front rooms across the universe.

Eventually some positive onfield activity provided a focus for the support (that is, apart from wailing at the bent ref and his blind-eye treatment of the aging Welsh thug Mark Hughes.) Gallacher departed, having given his all to the cause again, and the unremarkable Solano gave way to the lightning strikes of Domi and Dyer. 

Within moments the vital breakthrough had been made and the mouldy old Upper Bullens stand provided the perfect view of first Aaron Hughes smacking the ball home and then Kieron Dyer dashing upfield and lobbing the 'keeper for the second. 

Both goals were celebrated with wild abandon by both players and crowd alike, but our raucous celebrations were still close to being drowned out by the thump of seats being separated from Evertonian hindquarters.

The final whistle saw Dunc acknowledge the support received from both sets of fans all afternoon, while the clenched fist and mile-wide grin of Gary Speed signified one very contented chap.

Not a classic game, but a second clean sheet, another example of inspired player replacement from the old fella, three welcome away points and further progress away from the lower reaches of the league. Oh aye, and more pressure on the monkeymen in red and white.

PS: Unlikely chants part VI: "Speedie's Going to Wembley" - a retort to the home fans baiting of their former hero, and not a reference to the diminutive Scottish firebrand / arsehole David Speedie.