BY Joe Lovejoy ( The Times )

AT BREAKFAST the headlines had been dominated by BSkyB's proposed takeover of Manchester United. By teatime Andy Cole had made a takeover of his own, scoring twice on the ground where he made his name to consolidate the Premiership leaders' four-point advantage at the top.

It was another impressive, deserved win by the best team in the country. Newcastle are on the upturn, and contributed in full measure to a thoroughly entertaining game, but United were clearly the better side. The vital difference was the expert finishing of the player Kevin Keegan sold three years ago. It has taken a long time, but Cole, now on 21 goals for the season, is again the instinctive predator who was once the Toon Army's pride and joy.

Alan Shearer admitted as much. Of Cole and his equally productive partner, Dwight Yorke, the England captain said: "They are playing with world-class players, which helps, but both individually and as a partnership they are brilliant."

The delightful, curling free-kick with which Nolberto Solano scored fell into that category, but although Shearer threatened to score his 150th League goal with a far-post header, United were worth more than their one-goal margin, and travel to play Internazionale in Wednesday's European Cup tie in good heart. Their one concern last night was the bout of 'flu from which Peter Schmeichel is recovering. The goalkeeper missed the second half, but is expected to be fit to resume in Milan.

Bright and sunny, with the wind - which can be a problem on this ground - no more than a breeze, it was the perfect day for football. But the pitch was soft in the shadow of the towering John Hall stand and needed forking in front of the dug-outs before kick-off. It was always going to cut up, but the handicap was no real detriment to a match which soon lived up to its promise.

Newcastle were ahead after 16 minutes, United equalised after 25. Game on. The organisers of the United supporters' opposition to Rupert Murdoch's takeover had promised a demonstration before the match - the deal has been given conditional approval - but if there was one it was so muted as to pass undetected. The only "stick" forthcoming was the ritual, tiresome baiting of David Beckham.

More pertinently, Alex Ferguson had faced the perennial dilemma: did he rest important individuals before a European date and risk dropping valuable points, or field a full-strength team and expose key players to injury before the second leg against Inter? He opted for the bold approach. Only Ronny Johnsen of those who might reasonably be expected to start in the San Siro was missing, and he came on in the second half. Nicky Butt, a possibility in Milan, was injured.

United would have preferred easier opposition four days before they resume their European odyssey. Newcastle, powerfully resurgent under Ruud Gullit's sophisticated tutelage, had lost just one of their previous 11 matches, and Shearer, restored to fitness and form, had been scoring regularly again. The Geordie cathedral that is St James' is a daunting bearpit once more for those of faint heart. Not that the League leaders fall into that category. They boast a formidable record of their own, unbeaten now in 17 games.

Newcastle were strengthened by the return of three internationals - Gary Speed of Wales, Georgia's Temuri Ketsbaia and Solano, from Peru. They had a confident look about them from the start. Both sides were soon knocking the ball about progressively, and there was a pleasing, entertaining tempo to the play. United were the first to show, the Newcastle defence hinting at the frailties to follow by dealing unconvincingly with a left-wing cross from Giggs. From the subsequent corner, taken by Beckham, Giggs fired over from 20 yards. Scholes was also wide with a sighter from distance, and Cole, set up by Yorke, had a strong shot saved.

Newcastle had half a chance when Gary Neville did just enough to prevent Ketsbaia's short, penetrative pass from reaching George Georgiadis, but it was against the run of play when Solano put them ahead with his gem. Jaap Stam gave them their opportunity with a foul on Dietmar Hamann in the inside-right channel, 25 yards out, and how well Solano took it. Shearer's decoy movement distracted the defence, but it is doubtful whether they could have done anything about the delicious, curling free-kick with which the South American beat Schmeichel via his left-hand post.

How would United respond? Quickly. Newcastle will still be kicking themselves about their part in the equaliser, with too many defenders caught in after-you mode as Henning Berg flicked on Gary Neville's long throw at the near post for Yorke to get in the initial strike. That was blocked, but Cole, inevitably, was the first to react, and smacked the ball into the roof of the net at poacher's range.

Hamann, he of the siege-gun shot, scuffed a low 20-yarder and Shearer should really have restored Newcastle's advantage after 37 minutes when he glanced a header tantalisingly wide of the far post from Didier Domi's inviting centre. At half-time it was anybody's game.

United forged ahead after 51 minutes. A lovely long pass from Beckham, right to left, was at the root of their second goal, enabling Giggs to supply the sort of early cross all strikers love. Cole did full justice to this one, getting to it a split-second before Shay Given, who seemed suspiciously hesitant, to stab it in from six yards.

Back came Newcastle, Shearer delivering a cross on the run which threatened to provide an equaliser from the onrushing Ketsbaia until Berg rose to get his head to the ball and then Solano burst betwen Irwin and Giggs to drive strongly, but narrowly wide.

Although there was only one goal in it, United always seemed comfortable. Gullit sent out fresh instructions. Identifying Irwin as a potential weakness, he pushed Solano up on the right, hoping to exploit the veteran's tiring, slowing legs. Better men than the Peruvian have tried and the United line held - aided, it has to be said, by a couple of extra defenders. Johnsen replaced Giggs and Phil Neville went on for Scholes, with Ferguson prepared to settle for what he had. Another job well done.

"It's a major win," the United manager said. "This is a difficult place to come and get a result these days, and we couldn't be going to Milan in better heart. Andy Cole was on fire, lightning quick. He and Dwight are doing so well."

Gullit acclaimed the League leaders as "the best team we have played this season", but felt his players had shown them "too much respect". They deserve it.

Newcastle: Given, Barton (Maric 83), Charvet, Dabizas, Domi, Hamann, Solano, Speed, Georgiadis (Lee 45), Ketsbaia (Saha 61), Shearer.
Booked: Georgiadis.
Goals: Solano 16.

Manchester United: Schmeichel (Van Der Gouw 45), G Neville, Berg, Stam, Irwin, Keane, Beckham, Scholes (P. Neville 86), Giggs (Johnsen 73), Cole, Yorke.
Booked: Irwin.
Goals: Cole 25, 51.

Attendance: 36,500.

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).