Football Update: EPL review- Newcastle thump Liverpool 3-1 (Part 1)
Newcastle fans arrived at St. James Park something of an angry mob, but left with smiles on their faces. Alan Pardew made a dream debut as his side stream rolled a woeful Liverpool side looking for their second win on the road.
The Newcastle skipper Kevin Nolan opened the scoring inside 15 minutes to calm home supporters, who were disgruntled by sacking of Chris Hughton. Dirk kuyt equalized after the interval to get Liverpool back but in vain as Joey Barton struck to put Newcastle
ahead again and Andy Carroll wrapped things up in the 90 minute with a superb finish to quash any rumours of crisis.
At St. James Park, there was only one issue of discussion - and that was Chris Hughton's shock departure with Alan Pardew replacing him. Chris had been fans favourite and a wonderful servant, who steered the club out of crisis after it was relegated. Pardew
has hardly been welcomed with open arms by the Toon Army, but a win always helps to cure the critics.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was delighted after recording a win on his debut. He said, "It was a great victory and there's not many teams that can score three against Liverpool”.
He conceded that last couple of days has been turbulent but claims Newcastle have turned the page and were looking forward.
“There was a lot of great feeling for Chris Hughton and it is difficult when a new manager comes into that situation. I'm pleased with what we put in place but most of the stuff was what was here before.”
Newcastle's midfield was strengthened as Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton returned to the starting line-up for Alan Pardew's first game in charge. Just one change for Liverpool as Fernando Torres was drafted in to replace Ryan Babel after missing the win against
Aston Villa after his wife went into labour with their second child.
Liverpool enjoyed more possession in the opening minutes and had the first shot of the game. Maxi Rodriguez popped up from 30 yards out but was way off target. Raul Meireles hoisted a free-kick from the left into the area. Newcastle cleared but balled dropped
at the feet of Sotiros Kyrgiakos inside the box. He got his shot away, but Tim Krul was in the right place to push it away.
Newcastle were ahead after 15 minutes courtesy of Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll nodded down a deep free-kick into the path of Newcastle skipper Nolan, who swept the ball home from close range. It was as easy as it could get. Liverpool defence
was sixes and sevens.
The goal provided real sense of optimism for those fans still voicing their frustration on owner Mike Ashley and supporting Chris Hughton. Andy Carroll was just too powerful in the air for Liverpool's defence and Kevin Nolan has that happy knack of arriving
in the penalty area at the perfect time, this time against his boyhood heroes.
Newcastle had a narrow escape. Raul Meireles had a pot-shot when a corner dropped for him on the right side of the area, it took a big deflection and was heading into the corner, but Jose Enrique was still on his post to block.
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