Carroll gets Magpies back on track
Andy Carroll's second goal in four days helped Newcastle to a 3-1 stuttering victory over bottom-of-the-table Plymouth as the Magpies returned to winning ways.
The Gateshead-born striker blasted home six minutes from time to seal the win after Kevin Nolan had converted substitute Danny Guthrie's 61st-minute cross.
But Chris Hughton's men were made to work all the way to the whistle as Karl Duguid's 50th-minute equaliser, which cancelled out Steven Taylor's opener, threatened to hand Argyle some reward for their 818-mile round-trip to Tyneside.
On the 10-year anniversary of the late Sir Bobby Robson's first home game as Newcastle boss - an 8-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday - his latest successor sent his side out looking for a response.
Wednesday night's 2-1 defeat at Blackpool was the Magpies' first of the season and knocked them off the top of the table, and they wasted little time in setting out their stall when Taylor stooped to meet Geremi's corner beyond the far post and power home a header.
Peter Lovenkrands was denied by keeper Romain Larrieu's fingertips after Nolan had flicked on Geremi's 13th-minute cross, but Argyle rallied and Sheridan tested Harper at his near post with injured full-back Danny Simpson limping impotently in his wake.
Simpson was swiftly replaced by Ryan Taylor, but the visitors were enjoying their best period of the half, thanks in part to the carelessness of their hosts in possession.
Hughton's men enjoyed a massive stroke of luck five minutes before the break when Jose Enrique was robbed by Jamie Mackie inside his own penalty area and Taylor turned his driven cross on to the post and the rebound was hacked away.
Larrieu kept out Ryan Taylor's 43rd-minute effort at point-blank range, but there was little doubt Newcastle needed to rediscover their rhythm when they returned after the break.
But the visitors were back in it within five minutes of the restart when Sheridan was allowed to make ground down the right and cross for Duguid to fire past Harper.
The Magpies keeper pulled off a superb diving save to tip away Gary Sawyer's curling right-foot shot three minutes later as the home side wobbled alarmingly.
Hughton sent on Guthrie and Nile Ranger for Joey Barton and Lovenkrands in a bid to regain a foothold in a game which was rapidly slipping away from his team, and the changes paid dividends almost immediately.
Within two minutes of his arrival, Guthrie latched on to Carroll's flick and crossed for Nolan to head home unopposed at the far post.
Duguid fired just wide from David Gray's cross with 15 minutes remaining, but Carroll, who also hit the bar in injury time, made sure with an emphatic 84th-minute finish to calm the nerves of the bulk of a crowd of 42,898.
Comment 1 - 9 of 9
I am not a business minded person, but would it not make sense for Mike Ashleyto appoint Keegan or Shearer, give them £100 million to spend on new players, get them straight back into the premiership, then the value of the club would go skyhigh.
I agree with comment 2. Guthrie has been one of our best players this season but has been hauled off most games and was dropped yesterday. At least Hughton had the bottle to bring Barton off as he was terrible. We need another striker and someone who can play out wide. Anyone know how long Jonas is out for?
Things could be a lot worse! The team has done everything required so far.....lets hope it continues
Not sure what to make of this game!
Either Plymouth upped their game, or (as i suspect) we were very, very ordinary.
How on earth was Carroll given man of the match, was Stevie Wonder judging - Collocinni for me (YES Collocinni!!!)!
We need pace desperately; Barton was absolutely pedestrian (as well as hopeless!) and Smith left to do too much on his own . . . . AGAIN!
Nevertheless, we were worthy winners and could've/should've won this far more easily than we actually did. At times we pass the ball that one pass too many, and the sooner Jonas is back the better. It's been a great start (Blackpool apart), but we need players to sustain this good start!
Respect to the Plymouth fans, very noisy and very much adding to the atmosphere - a credit to your club, who i think will be okay this season!
It`s quite obvious to everyone that the Toon needs players - everyone that is except you know who.
Plymouth should have been buried in the first-half, but they got themselves back into the game and gave the Toon - and my heart - a few frights.
But 3 points are 3 points, no matter how they are gained.
Did they drug test the West Brom players at Boro ha, ha.
And the makems got stuffed, now that is a nice feeling..............
The team that finished the game for Newcastle, was more like the team that should have started it. Playing five in midfield, at home in this division, says a lot about Newcastle's lack of strength in depth. We should be playing a pro active 4.4.2 formation, at home, and away. To spend more than one season in this division would be a disaster. This season, with the squad we have now, still represents the best chance we'll have of getting promotion. all I can say is this, " Ashley you stupid obese putz. For God sake man, see sense and get some players in now! If Newcastle don't get themselves back into the Premiership a.s.a.p, it'll be your cash that's going down the toilet you muppet." Nuff said?
Respect to Plymouth by the way. For the distance involved, they brought a healthy amount of away fans, and their team put in a lot of effort.
We have too few players and most of them know they will be playing week in week out regardless because their is no competition for places. I think that showed today but we need to keep winning and live in hope that something happens in the take over department before January.
Poor game but a wins a win and we are well in touch with the best of them in this division.
Barton and Lovenkrands, two of the worst performances I have seen. And before you take any credit for the substituations Hughton, why the hell was Guthrie not playing from the start.
A win is a win but we need a new manager asap this guy is not the answer
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