NEWCASTLE 3 LIVERPOOL 1
NEWCASTLE: Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Barton (Routledge 90), Nolan (Smith 87), Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 63). Subs Not Used: Harper, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Perch.
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Konchesky, Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Maxi (Jovanovic 85), Torres, Ngog (Babel 72). Subs Not Used: Jones, Aurelio, Cole, Poulsen, Kelly.
Att: 50,137
Having already won at Goodison Park, Saturday's victory over their red rivals at St James' Park takes us half way to a repeat.
Alan Pardew wanted nothing more than a winning start to his Newcastle reign, and it only took 16 minutes for the jeers from the Toon fans to turn to cheers.
The majority of the 48,000 Toon fans had arrived determined to voice their fury at owner Mike Ashley's decision to sack Chris Hughton, and they did just that.
Going to the ground there was a group of kids outside the main gate making their feeling known, and I saw three banners in the Gallowgate end ... but being seated in the Leazes, I couldn't make out what they said.
There were repeated choruses of "Stand up if you hate Ashley", "Get out of our club" and "There's only one Chris Hughton" among some less savoury offerings, while one banner read simply, "Thank you, Chris".
Pardew must have felt a lonely man as he made his way alone to the dug-out for the first time, just as he had two days earlier for the press conference that Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias bottled!
The opening goal may have been fashioned on Merseyside, but it did not go to the men in red as two Scousers combined to open the door.
Liverpool-born JoeyBarton's free-kick was floated perfectly to the far post for Andy Carroll to win a muscular challenge with Sotirios Kyrgiakos and head down for Scouser Kevin Nolan to fire home his eighth of the season from close range.
The sense of unity fostered by Hughton during his tenure was there for all to see as Nolan was mobbed by his team-mates with the Toon Army celebrating.
Krul had earlier had to palm away a Kyrgiakos snapshot after referee Lee Mason, whose display was at times mystifying, awarded the visitors a soft free-kick for Jose Enrique's challenge on Glen Johnson.
But in an open encounter, both keepers had to remain alert throughout with Liverpool moving the ball well in an attempt to create space for the returning Fernando Torres, while Newcastle relied largely upon the physical presence of Carroll and strike partner Shola Ameobi.
The pair combined to great effect on the half hour when Carroll blasted in a low drive from Ameobi's lay-off which forced Jose Reina into a smart save, and the latter saw a 36th-minute effort fly just wide after it clipped Martin Skrtel's heels with the keeper already committed.
In the meantime, Enrique had been in the right place at the right time to keep out Raul Meireles' shot after it had been deflected towards goal by David Ngog, and Kyrgiakos headed a Meireles corner across the face of goal in first half injury time with Liverpool making a big push.
That trend continued after the restart and the visitors were level within five minutes, thanks in part to a slice of good fortune.
Kuyt did well to trick his way past Sol Campbell, but his shot was deflected past Krul by the unwitting Taylor and crept inside the far post.
Liverpool flexed their muscles and could have taken the lead twice within seconds as Torres first headed straight at Krul and then failed to beat him one-on-one after getting in behind a ragged home defence.
However, the Magpies responded and went close themselves when Barton crossed from the left for Carroll to dive in and head over as the ball dropped just over Skrtel's head.
Substitute Nile Ranger, on for the injured Ameobi, might have announced his arrival in style when he ran on to Carroll's 64th-minute knockdown and eased Skrtel off the ball, but his shot from a tight angle flew wide of the far post.
But they took the lead once again with 10 minutes remaining when Carroll and Ranger both helped on Krul's clearance and Barton stole in to snatch all three points.
The stage was set for a nervy conclusion, but Carroll prompted a collective sigh of relief when he crashed home a superb left-foot strike from 25 yards to wrap up a vital win.
NEWCASTLE UTD MAD
CONTACT US (Kev): Kevnumad@fsmail.net
LAST FIXTURE - WEST BROM 3 NEWCASTLE 1
WEST BROM: Carson, Jara, Scharner, Tamas, Cech, Tchoyi, Morrison (Reid 85), Dorrans, Thomas (Barnes 77), Brunt, Odemwingie.
Subs Not Used: Myhill, Pablo, Shorey, Fortune, Cox.
NEWCASTLE: Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ranger 74), Guthrie (Smith 73), Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Lovenkrands 46).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Perch, Best, Kadar.
Att: 23,486
Two-goal Peter Odemwingie and Somen Tchoyi earned West Bom a comprehensive 3-1 victory over Chris Hughton's men, as the Toon boss got it sadly wrong at The Hawthorns.
His paper-weight midfield was never a match for their power-house Albion counterparts, and it was far too late before he made changes.
Danny Guthrie had a nightmare ... arguably his worst in a Toon shirt ... as his dead-ball kicks were almost as bad as his performance in open play.
Outclassed, out-fought and out-thought, but he was many who underperformed.
Where was the passion we saw against Chelsea? This was a side that looked beaten as soon as the referee blew to start play.
Newcastle could have no complaints about the outcome with Chris Brunt sparkling in a central midfield role and Odemwingie causing constant problems.
Andy Carroll hardly had a look-in and Newcastle's mini revival after the break was too little, too late.
The home side were the first to settle and the opening chance fell to Paul Scharner after a Chris Brunt corner was flicked onto the far post but he volleyed over from a narrow angle.
Newcastle were struggling to get out of their own half and Brunt drilled a 25 yard effort wide after being teed up by Tchoyi.
Magpies midfielder Jonas Gutierrez was the first player to be yellow carded after 20 minutes for holding back Jara.
A clearance from Sol Campbell bounced off Tchoyi into the path of Odemwingie who had a run at goal but his shot flew across the face of goal.
Newcastle started to come more of the game and Carroll failed to make contact with an overhead kick after Albion failed to clear a Danny Guthrie corner.
Striker Shola Ameobi got free of his marker at another Guthrie corner but directed his header over the bar when he should have at least hit the target.
After 32 minutes Tchoyi broke the deadlock with his first goal at the Hawthorns - and his fourth of the campaign.
Brunt found Tchoyi in space inside the box and he cut inside Jose Enrique before curling a left-footed drive past Tim Krul from 15 yards out.
Tchoyi visibly grew in confidence and forced Krul to turn a fierce shot from a narrow angle for a corner after good play by Odemwingie and Jara.
James Morrison flicked a header wide from a Marek Cech centre and the Scotland international then forced Krul into a low save to his left.
Newcastle boss Chris Hughton made a half-time change with Lovenkrands replacing Ameobi.
Krul was relieved when Steven Taylor's flick header flew just over his own bar from a Jerome Thomas cross.
But Scott Carson was forced to make a fine save after 50 minutes to keep his side in front.
Wayne Routledge delivered an inviting cross from the right and Taylor's powerful header was parried away by the England keeper.
Carroll had a first sniff of a goal but dragged his shot across the face of the six yard box under pressure from Gabriel Tamas.
Enrique was yellow carded after 57 minutes after holding back Tchoyi.
Newcastle were looking more dangerous and Gutierrez jinked his way into the box and saw his deflected cross-shot evade Carson but Cech was on hand to clear close to the goal-line.
The half clearance fell to Carroll but he lacked composure in firing high and wide.
Guthrie became the third Newcastle to be cautioned for a late tackle on Thomas.
The game was more open and Krul saved low to his left from Morrison after good play by Tchoyi.
Morrison was only inches wide with another good attempt but after 71 minutes Odemwingie doubled Albion's lead with his fifth goal of the campaign.
Guthrie slipped over on the halfway line and left Odemwingie with a clear run of goal and he kept his composure before slipping a left-footed shot wide of Krul.
The midfielder had injured himself and was stretchered off and replaced by Alan Smith who was immediately booked for a crude lunge at Thomas.
Albion finished the stronger of the two sides and Krul beat out a pile-driver from Brunt before Campbell was booked for a foul on substitute Steven Reid.
With a minute remaining, Cech had the vision to find Odemwingie and he calmly took the ball around Krul before firing home.
Lovenkrands scored a consolation goal from close range in injury-time.
TOON FIXTURES:
Saturday 18th December 2010
Birmingham v Newcastle 15.00
Sunday 26th December 2010
Newcastle v Man City 15.00
Tuesday 28th December 2010
Tottenham v Newcastle 15.00
Sunday 02nd January 2011
Wigan Athletic v Newcastle 16.00
NEWCASTLE UNITED 2010/11
PREMIERSHIP
NEWCASTLE 3 LIVERPOOL 1 (Nolan, Barton, Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Barton (Routledge 90), Nolan (Smith 87), Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 63).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Perch.
WEST BROM 3 NEWCASTLE 1 (Lovenkrands)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ranger 74), Guthrie (Smith 73), Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Lovenkrands 46).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Perch, Best, Kadar.
NEWCASTLE 1 CHELSEA 1 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Campbell, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Guthrie, Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 77).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Perch, Smith, Best, Kadar.
BOLTON 5 NEWCASTLE 1 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 71), Nolan, Smith, Gutierrez (Campbell 77), Carroll, Ameobi (Lovenkrands 72).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Perch, Steven Taylor, Ranger.
NEWCASTLE 0 FULHAM 0
Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 76), Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Carroll, Lovenkrands (Ranger 76).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Campbell, Smith, Xisco, Steven Taylor.
NEWCASTLE 1 BLACKBURN 2 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote (Routledge 88), Gutierrez, Carroll,Ameobi (Ranger 46).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Campbell, Lovenkrands, Smith, Steven Taylor.
ARSENAL 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 82).
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Campbell, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Smith, Steven Taylor.
NEWCASTLE 5 SUNDERLAND 1 (Nolan 3, Ameobi 2 - 1 pen)
Krul, Jose Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Simpson,Tiote, Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Ameobi (Ranger 86), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Perch, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
WEST HAM 1 NEWCASTLE 2 (Nolan, Carroll)
Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Guthrie, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Perch, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
NEWCASTLE 2 WIGAN ATH 2 (Ameobi, Coloccini)
Krul, Perch (Ranger 89), Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Guthrie (Routledge 66), Tiote, Barton, Gutierrez, Lovenkrands (Ameobi 60), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Kadar.
MAN CITY 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Gutierrez)
Krul, Perch, Williamson, Coloccini (Campbell 36), Jose Enrique, Ben Arfa (Routledge 7), Nolan (Carroll 76), Tiote, Barton, Gutierrez, Ameobi.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
NEWCASTLE 1 STOKE CITY 2 (Nolan pen)
Krul, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Ben Arfa (Gutierrez 62), Barton, Tiote (Ameobi 74), Routledge, Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Ranger.
EVERTON 0 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ben Arfa)
Harper (Krul 35), Perch, Coloccini, Williamson,Jose Enrique, Routledge, Tiote, Barton,Ben Arfa (Gutierrez 84), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Campbell, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Smith.
NEWCASTLE 0 BLACKPOOL 2
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ameobi 81), Smith (Lovenkrands 62), Barton, Gutierrez (Ben Arfa 73), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Campbell, Ryan Taylor, Tiote.
WOLVES 1 NEWCASTLE 1 (Carroll)
Harper, Perch, Williamson, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Smith, Barton, Gutierrez, Nolan, Carroll (Ameobi 81).
Subs Not Used: Krul, Lovenkrands, Ryan Taylor, Kadar, Vuckic, Ranger.
NEWCASTLE 6 ASTON VILLA 0 (Barton, Nolan 2, Carroll 3)
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge (Ameobi 76), Smith (Ryan Taylor 76), Barton, Gutierrez (Xisco 80), Nolan, Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Lovenkrands, Vuckic, Tavernier.
MAN UTD 3 NEWCASTLE 0
Harper, Perch, Coloccini, Williamson, Jose Enrique, Routledge, Smith, Nolan (Ameobi 71), Barton,Gutierrez (Xisco 80), Carroll.
Subs Not Used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Vuckic, Ranger, Tavernier.
CARLING CUP
NEWCASTLE 0 ARSENAL 4
Krul, Perch, Williamson, Kadar, Ryan Taylor, Routledge (Gutierrez 56), Guthrie, Smith (Barton 71), Vuckic, Lovenkrands (Carroll 57), Ranger.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Tiote.
CHELSEA 3 NEWCASTLE 4 (Ranger, R Taylor, Ameobi 2)
Krul, Ryan Taylor (Tiote 63), Campbell, Coloccini (Williamson 63), Ferguson (Barton 90), Ranger, Gutierrez, Vuckic, Smith, Ameobi, Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Nolan, Carroll, Ben Arfa.
ACCRINGTON STANLEY 2 NEWCASTLE 3 (Ryan Taylor, Ameobi, Lovenkrands)
Krul, Ryan Taylor, Kadar, Tavernier, Ferguson, Ranger, Donaldson, Vuckic (Nolan 90), LuaLua, Ameobi,Lovenkrands.
Subs Not Used: Soderberg, Williamson, Barton, Routledge, Perch, Smith.
PRE-SEASON
CARLISLE 0 NEWCASTLE 3 (Best, Ranger, Vuckic)
Harper (Krul 46), Tavernier (R Taylor 46), Coloccini (S Taylor 46) (Henderson 81), Williamson (Perch 46), Enrique (Ferguson 46), Inman (Routledge 46), Smith (Barton 46), Nolan (Guthrie 46), LuaLua (Vuckic 46) , Carroll (Best 46), Lovenkrands (Ranger 46).
NORWICH CITY 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Ameobi)
Krul, Taylor (Routledge 45), Tavernier, Coloccini (Williamson 45), Diaz (Ferguson 57); Ranger (Xisco 45), Barton (Smith 45), Nolan (Guthrie 45), Vuckic (Edmundsson 72); Best (Lovenkrands 45), Carroll (Ameobi 45).
NEWCASTLE 2 PSV EINDHOVEN 2 (R.Taylor, Best)
Harper, Perch, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Guthrie, Nolan, Smith, Ryan Taylor, Lovenkrands, Ameobi. Subs: Carroll, Xisco, Best, LuaLua, Krul, Vuckic, Ranger, Donaldson, Tavernier.
DEPORTIVO 0 NEWCASTLE 0 (NUFC win 5-4 on penalties - Lovenkrands, Nolan, Carroll, R Taylor, Barton)
Harper (Krul 46); R Taylor, Perch (Tavernier 52), Coloccini, Enrique; Routledge, Barton, Guthrie (Nolan 46), Xisco (Gutierrez 46); Carroll, Best (Lovenkrands 73). Subs (not used): Smith, Ferguson
RANGERS 2 NEWCASTLE 1 (Lovenkrands)
Harper; Perch (Tavernier 81), Coloccini (Ferguson 81), Williamson, Enrique (R Taylor 56); Routledge (Xisco 83), Barton, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez (Lovenkrands 69); Carroll (Ameobi 46).