Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle United 6 Aston Villa 0: Andy Carroll hat trick helps Toon Army romp
Andy Carroll lived up to the hype as he marked his first St James' Park appearance in the No 9 shirt by scoring a devastating hat-trick to humiliate Aston Villa and caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald. [LNB]There may be those who feel the honour of wearing one of the most iconic shirts in football has come too early for a combative 21-year-old striker who has already courted controversy. [LNB]And after the 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford last week, questions about Carroll's ruthlessness at the top level were quick to surface when he missed his team's one opportunity with a header after proving so accurate in the Championship.[LNB] Hat trick hero: Carroll celebrates scoring on his way to knocking three past Villa[LNB]But there were no doubts yesterday about his finishing or his overall contribution to the third 6-0 triumph of the weekend. [LNB]Newcastle marked the return ofBarclays Premier League football to St James' in a style beyond thewildest dreams of the most optimistic Geordie, not to mention managerChris Hughton, usually the master of understatement. [LNB]But even he threatened to getcarried away by Carroll's first senior hat-trick. There was even talkof England recognition.[LNB] What a mo-ment: Joey Barton (left) blasts Newcastle ahead from long range[LNB]'Whether it's too early for that is a decisionfor the England manager,' said Hughton.'But he has developed his gameand added goals. How far he goes will be up to the environment he's inand up to himself. He has got the attributes to improve even more. [LNB]'He is a throw-back and a local lad and a handful for most defenders, but all his goals were on the deck, which is pleasing.[LNB]'I feel a bit for Kevin Nolan, as he scored two goals and won' t get much of a mention, but Andy's hat-trick was fantastic.[LNB] No stopping that: Carroll thrashes his first goal into the back of the Villa net[LNB]'He has done himself and hisconfidence no harm at all. As a centre forward it is all about scoringgoals and the challenge for him is to do it week in, week out in thisdivision.'[LNB]At least Carroll seemed to bekeeping his feet on the ground. 'It is an extra responsibility playingat No 9,' said the striker. 'But I just enjoy playing my football, nomatter where it is. I am just very happy to have scored a hat-trick.' [LNB]Ciaran Clark will never forget hisfirst professional meeting with Carroll. Clark has captained Villayouth sides and, like Carroll, has England credentials.[LNB] Head boy: Magpies skipper Kevin Nolan (left) dives to nod in his side's second goal[LNB]With a minute to go, MacDonaldfinally put the 20-year-old defender out of his misery by substitutinghim - and he almost sprinted off to get away from his tormentor. Notthat Carroll was finished.[LNB]Enlarge As Clark was licking his wounds onthe bench, the striker notched his third thumping finish from Xisco'scross. As with the other five goals, keeper Brad Friedel stood nochance. [LNB]It was Joey Barton who opened thescoring in the 12th minute, nailing a right-foot shot beyond the reachof the American keeper to find the top corner. [LNB]Carroll outjumped Clark in thebuild-up, then played a ball to Wayne Routledge who crossed for Nolanto find Barton and he netted his first Premier League goal in almosttwo years.[LNB]Barton, who was booked for a daftlunge at Stiliyan Petrov, celebrated by waving to his delirious public,making reference to the awful moustache he was growing until Newcastlehad secured their first win of the season.[LNB]It had gone within minutes ofreaching the dressing room. 'There were a few of the lads desperate toget it off,' he said. 'I'm glad it's gone.' [LNB]Nolan, who matched Carroll's 19goals last season, was next on the scoresheet after another deftCarroll touch from Jonas Gutierrez's centre in the 31st minute. [LNB]Friedel saved Nolan's first shotbrilliantly but was helpless as he nodded home the rebound. Threeminutes later, Mike Williamson set up Carroll's first goal from aBarton corner to establish a 3-0 half-time lead.[LNB] Fine finish: Carroll (centre) holds off the Villa defence to bag his second[LNB]Villa were really struggling and new signing Stephen Ireland looked hopelessly lost, but he was certainly not alone. [LNB][LNB]Newcastle continued to press andCarroll scored his second, the team's fourth, in the 67th minute afterVilla made a mess of yet another simple clearance.[LNB]Newcastle United v Aston Villa - match facts Newcastle United (4-4-1-1): Harper 6; Perch 7, Williamson 7, Coloccini 7, Enrique 8; Routledge 7 (R Taylor 76min), Smith 6 (Ameobi 76), Barton 7, Gutierrez 6 (Xisco 81); Nolan 7; Carroll 9. Booked: Barton, Smith, Perch. [LNB]Aston Villa (4-4-1-1): Friedel 6; L Young 5, Dunne 6, Clark 4 (Beye 89), Warnock 5; Albrighton 5 (Heskey 58, 4), Petrov 5, Ireland 4, Downing, 5, A Young 5; Carew 3 (Reo-Coker 65, 4). Booked: Reo-Coker.[LNB]Man of the match: Andy Carroll.[LNB]Referee: Martin Atkinson 6.[LNB]Half of the travelling fans thenwalked out but there was more agony for those who remained. [LNB]Threeminutes from time Nolan scored his second following another poorlydefended corner, this time from Ryan Taylor, and then Carroll completedhis hat-trick in stoppage time when he rammed the ball into the bottomcorner.[LNB]While it was a memorable day for Newcastle's striker, Villa's John Carew will want to forget his contribution. [LNB]His ninth-minute penalty miss wasone of the worst in living memory and set the tone for a miserableafternoon that could end MacDonald's brief time in charge. [LNB][LNB]With USA coach Bob Bradleyexpressing an interest in the Villa job over the weekend, owner RandyLerner is weighing up his options and MacDonald said: 'Today's resultwon't change my thinking. I've said I'd sit down and look at things atthe end of next week.' [LNB]Hughton, meanwhile, has agreed a deal with FC Twente for Cheick Tiote, 24, as revealed by Sportsmail.[LNB] Newcastle United 4 Aston Villa 0 - The action as it happened, with Tom BellwoodUSA coach Bradley reveals contact with Villa over bid to replace O'NeillNewcastle agree £3.5m deal to sign Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote from FC TwenteCheck out the latest Barclays Premier League scores, standings and more in our brilliant Stats ZoneNEWCASTLE UNITED FC
