Peter's magic wasted at near-empty SJP
IN the end, it was a shame just 15,805 were there to see it.
After all, it's not too often a Newcastle United player scores a hat-trick in the FA Cup. And a perfect one at that.
Peter Lovenkrands – who scored with his right and left feet, and head in last night's 3-0 win over Plymouth Argyle – returned to the field at the final whistle to retrieve the match ball.
Lovenkrands proudly left the pitch with it under his arm, having become the first player since Paul Kitson to bag a hat-trick for the club in the competition.
That was 15 years ago, Kitson netting three goals in a home tie against Swansea City.
Lovenkrands made the feat look easy, his three goals owing everything to the quality of the deliveries, with Jonas Gutierrez setting up his first two, and top scorer Kevin Nolan turning provider in the second half.
Plymouth, by contrast, didn't look like scoring all night.
And goalkeeper Tim Krul – who played in the goalless stalemate at Home Park – again hardly had a save to make.
Manager Chris Hughton – who had rotated his squad for the original game – took few chances for the unwanted replay, with Nolan, Gutierrez, Steven Taylor, Jose Enrique and Andy Carroll all returning to his starting XI.
While Argyle had spells of possession in the first-half, they lacked a cutting edge.
For Newcastle, that was provided by Lovenkrands, who has been playing catch-up with his fitness and sharpness for most of the season, having only signed in September.
And, having got up to speed, he'll be hoping he's done enough to cement a place in Hughton's side.
Hughton, of course, is looking to sign a striker this month, but even if Jermaine Beckford does join United - and that remains a big if - he might struggle to nail down a regular start.
Lovenkrands started up front alongside Carroll, with two more strikers – Shola Ameobi and Nile Ranger – named on the bench.
Just who starts for Monday night's crucial Championship showdown against West Bromwich Albion is anybody's guess.
Newcastle's progression ensures they face Roberto Di Matteo's side twice next week, the victory ensuring a fourth-round visit to The Hawthorns.
The more important game remains the league fixture, and United go into it looking to extend a 13-game unbeaten run, and keep intact a five-point lead at the top of the division.
However, they'll have to raise their game, as Argyle look destined for relegation on this evidence.
West Brom might have stumbled of late, but on their day they're a match for anyone, Newcastle included.
However, Lovenkrands' hat-trick, while memorable, shouldn't take attention away from the burning issue at St James's Park – the need for transfer window reinforcements.
Owner Mike Ashley was at the stadium to see the game, and he needs to back Hughton in this month's transfer window, and quickly.
Most business is done late in the month, but the lack of progress so far is becoming a frustration, as the club need to bring in two or three players to strengthen the side for the second half of the season.
United remain high on quality, but low on numbers, and that's got to change.
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Weather for South Shields
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
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Temperature: 7 C to 17 C
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