Source: Northern_Echo
Carroll's header sends Newcastle back to top of table
ANDY Carroll's 87th-minute header earned Newcastle a barely-deserved point against Swansea, and fired the Magpies back to the top of the Championship table.[LNB] Carroll's strike cancelled out David Cotterill's curled opener, and ensured the Magpies did not suffer a second defeat in the space of five days after Tuesday's loss at Derby.[LNB] Swansea played much the better football throughout, and Chris Hughton will be relieved to have left the Liberty Stadium with Newcastle back on top of the league.[LNB] Swansea dominated possession, but while they were extremely comfortable on the ball, the hosts struggled to create chances.[LNB] Indeed, their only shot on target before the break saw Andrea Orlandi scuff a half-volley straight at Steve Harper in the 35th minute.[LNB] Newcastle were no more creative, but Kevin Nolan wasted a good opportunity shortly before the half-hour mark, heading wide from 14 yards after Fabricio Coloccini chipped in a cross from the left.[LNB] The second half started at a higher tempo, and Nathan Dyer came close to breaking the deadlock with a long-range strike that crept just past Harper's left-hand post.[LNB] That was a warning, but it wasn't heeded, and Swansea deservedly claimed the lead in the 56th minute.[LNB] Darren Pratley played a long ball from the right, and after a Dyer dummy fooled the Newcastle defence, Cotterill cut in from the left to curl an 18-yard effort into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.[LNB] Initially, Newcastle struggled to rouse themselves, but Carroll claimed a surprise leveller with three minutes left.[LNB] Substitute Leon Best crossed from the right, and Carroll climbed above Angel Rangel to head past Swans goalkeeper Dorus de Vries.[LNB] SWANSEA (4-5-1): De Vries; Tate, Monk, Williams, Bessone (Rangel 7); Dyer (Butler 80), Allen, Pratley, Orlandi, Cotterill; Kuqi (Pintado 74).[LNB] Subs (not used): Cornell (gk), Gower, Richards, Trundle.[LNB] NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Harper; Simpson, Coloccini, Hall, Van Aanholt; Routledge, Smith, Nolan, Guthrie, Carroll, Lovenkrands (Best 66).[LNB] Subs (not used): Krul (gk), Kadar, Williamson, R Taylor, Pancrate, Ranger.[LNB]
