One foot in the Premier League?
IT'S been a long time in coming.
And last night, Newcastle United finally found fifth gear at St James's Park, blowing away previously in-form Cardiff City in the space of a few short minutes.
There was no way back for Dave Jones's side after a brutal opening quarter of an hour.
And the silence among the 3,000 visiting fans – who had been vociferous before kick off – spoke volumes for the way Chris Hughton's team set about their task.
Up to now, Newcastle have been known more for their doggedness and determination in the Championship.
Those qualities have been needed above all else for a season in which United were expected to struggle in the wake of a potentially catastrophic relegation.
Captain Kevin Nolan had insisted on the eve of the game that he and his team-mates were at their very best when their backs were pressed against the wall.
And so it proved, Newcastle's footballing qualities having come to the fore against Cardiff.
Still, for all their ability on the ball, they possess a battering ram of a forward up front, and Andy Carroll was unplayable, scoring twice and setting up an own goal.
Carroll was there to prod home in the third minute after Nolan and debutant Fitz Hall had helped a deep Danny Guthrie corner back into the six-yard box.
And three minutes later he struck the post, with Gabor Gyepes putting the ball into his own net.
The 21-year-old then got ahead of Gyepes to head a Danny Simpson cross past David Marshall.
United continued to move the ball well, Nolan and Wayne Routledge driving forward at every opportunity, while Danny Guthrie was neat, tidy and industrious in his preferred central midfield role.
Routledge had a hand in both of substitute Peter Lovenkrands's goals in the second half, and Aaron Wildig's late consolation couldn't take the gloss of a win which matched the season-best 4-0 success at Ipswich Town in September.
Lovenkrands's contribution took his tally for the season to eight goals, and while Leon Best had a low-key debut, his arrival has already had an effect on Hughton's forwards.
"Peter showed what he can do, and it showed the importance of having competition up front," said Hughton.
"Each of our frontline players wants to play, and they know when they come off the bench, they have to make an impact.
Shola Ameobi and Nile Ranger could only look on from the bench, evidence of the strength in depth Hughton now has at the club after last month's transfer dealings.
Newcastle's form at St James's Park, a fortress all campaign, has been the foundation for their success.
And on this evidence, United are more than capable of going all season unbeaten on home turf, a feat which should all but ensure a return to the Premier League.
As Newcastle's players celebrated their latest home success, it was clear the visiting dressing room, where a frank exchange of view was taking place, wasn't a place you wanted to be.
Jones's shell-shocked and sullen face, when he finally emerged, said it all, his team had been given a lesson, and didn't he know it.
NEWCASTLE UNITED: Harper; Simpson, Williamson, Hall (Kadar, 82), van Aanholt; Routledge, Guthrie, Nolan, Gutierrez (R Taylor, 79); Carroll, Best (Lovenkrands, 60). Subs not used: Krul, Pancrate, Ameobi, Ranger.
CARDIFF CITY: Marshall: Matthews (Kennedy, 46), Gerrard, Gyepes, McNaughton. Whittingham, Blake, McPhail (Wildig, 75), McCormack. Bothroyd (Burke, 30), Chopra. Subs not used: Enckelman, Quinn, Taiwo, Feeney.
Goals: Carroll 3, 15, Gyepes 6 (og), Lovenkrands 69, 82
Bookings: Best 39, Gyepes 77
Sent off: None
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
Attendance: 44,028
* South Shields Mags are running a bus to Tuesday's game at Derby County. It departs at 1.30pm. For bookings call Chris on 07730 508362.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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