Injuries, sooner or later every side suffers them, the mark of a good side is whether they can overcome them.
On Saturday, Newcastle United did just that, grinding out a 2-1 win over Everton despite Cheick Tiote's continued absence and further injuries to Yohan Cabaye and Sylvain Marveaux.
The win briefly moved Alan Pardew's side up to 2nd place in the Premier League table, Manchester United's 1-0 victory over Sunderland soon demoted the Magpies back down to 3rd, but their prolonged stay in the top four continues to amaze and dumbfound pundits and commentators across the land.
Newcastle, unsurprisingly brimming with confidence, made an excellent start as they took the lead after 12 minutes, Johnny Heitinga deflecting Danny Simpson's near cross past Tim Howard and into his own net. The home side's advantage was doubled inside of the half hour mark with a typically spectacular goal from Ryan Taylor, the hero of the August's North East derby powering a delicious volley into the top corner from 25 yards out.
At 2-0 the game looked beyond Everton, but injuries on either side of Half Time to Cabaye and Marveaux respectively began to stretch a small but spirited Newcastle squad.
Jack Rodwell reduced the deficit just before the interval with a fine header from Royston Drenthe's corner and the visitors maintained the momentum well into the second half as they pressed for an equaliser that may well have been deserved given the amount of possession and territory they enjoyed.
The fact they didn't is both an indictment of Everton's toothless attacking display and a testament to Newcastle's defensive organisation and strength. Dan Gosling and Sammy Ameobi filled in for Cabaye and Marveaux, and produced admirable displays. Gosling competitive in midfield and vigilant in protecting the back four, while Ameobi provided a threat on the counter with his pace and drive.
Everton continued to be stifled despite going forward despite Newcastle's reshuffle and in the end Pardew's men were able to hold on for the win with relative simplicity. The only moment of controversy coming when the visitors had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Gosling appeared to deflect a Louis Saha strike with his hand.
That incident should not overshadow another fine performance from Newcastle's back four, the two full backs, Simpson and Ryan Taylor, dealt with the substantial wide threat of messrs Coleman, Baines and Drenthe excellently. Though praise must again go to Jonas Gutierrez for another excellent and determined display from the Argentinian wingman.
Newcastle's centre-back pairing had a somewhat easier task, as Everton suffered from the loss of Apostolos Vellios in the pre-game warm up, leaving David Moyes without a physical threat to test Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor, both of whom continue to enjoy excellent campaigns.
Moyes should be encouraged by the performance of Louis Saha, who caused Newcastle problems on a number of occasions and was unlucky not to add his name to the scoresheet, but it will be precious little comfort to Toffees fans as they now find themselves staring over the shoulders in an uncomfortable 17th position.
Newcastle on the other hand continue to dream of a return to European competition, and with their total of 25 points from 11 games it is an aspiration that can be considered achievable. However, Pardew and his troops know that the toughest test of the season is now just around the corner.
Indeed Newcastle now face an unenviable run of fixtures, first travelling to Eastlands for a battle of the two remaining unbeaten teams with Manchester City, before making the trip across Manchester to meet Manchester United. A bruising three game stretch is capped off with a home game against Chelsea.
These three games that will provide the best insight into just how far Newcastle can go this season, it is good timing then that prior to these fixtures is an international break. Pardew and his staff will be grateful for this brief interval to the Premier League campaign. As it is one which gives the likes of Tiote; Cabaye; Marveaux and Gabriel Obertan - who missed Saturday's game with a toe infection - a chance to recover from their respective injuries.
Even the most casual of observer knows that Newcastle will stand a much better chance of gaining positive results from their next three fixtures with a full strength side. However, with 27 games left of a long, arduous season, Pardew and the fans can take great solace in knowing that Newcastle - as they demonstrated in Saturday's game - do possess strength in reserve.
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