Nolan's on cloud nine
KEVIN Nolan is on cloud nine after sending Newcastle United back to the top of the Championship.
Free-scoring midfielder Nolan struck the only goal of the game against Preston North End at Deepdale last night to take his tally for the season to a remarkable nine.
Danny Guthrie played a ball into the box from the right, and after the ball missed those challenging for it in the air, Nolan connected with his weaker left foot to send it across goalkeeper Andy Lonergan and into the far corner.
And after the game Nolan revealed the reason for his emotion celebration in front of Newcastle's 3,400 fans.
"I just saw it come across, and I asked Marlon (Harewood) to let it come through, and I just tried to hit it across goal, and thankfully it's gone exactly where I wanted it to," Nolan told the Gazette.
"With the left foot, it normally goes anywhere, but thankfully it went where I wanted it to.
"A lot of the celebration was for a friend of mine. It was the anniversary of his father's death on Wednesday, and it was more of an emotional one, because that was dedicated to him.
"I wanted to score for him – he's been my best mate since we were in nappies. It was dedicated to him, and jubilation was a lot to do with him.
"I was delighted to get the goal at the time we did. I think after that we weren't under too much pressure.
"We bossed the game really well, and I was delighted the way we performed."
Newcastle, by their own admission, weren't at their best, but thanks to Nolan, they go into Saturday's home game against Swansea City two points clear at the top of the table.
The midfielder added: "Obviously, with the quality we've got, we're going to keep on getting opportunities.
"And if I can keep popping up with goals, and match-winning ones are more important, then great.
"Hopefully, I can keep doing that, but as long as we keep winning, that's the main thing.
"I'm absolutely delighted we ground another win out. It was always going to be tough, but we've always said if we get a couple of chances, we know we're going to score another one.
"We got the three points, and we're back to the top of the table."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
