Source: Northern_Echo
Derby County 3 Newcastle United 0
Derby County 3 Newcastle United 0[LNB] NEWCASTLE United's return to the Premier League was looking like a procession.[LNB] Many more performances similar to last night's capitulation at Pride Park, however, and they may still end up in the lottery of the play-offs.[LNB] The end of their 15-game unbeaten run was one thing, but to be leapfrogged by West Brom at the summit may have a bigger impact.[LNB] It was the Magpies worst result of the season and possibly their worst performance of the campaign.[LNB] A first-half header from Rob Hulse was followed after the break with a Kris Commons penalty Jonas Gutierrez fouling Michael Tonge and then a strike from Shaun Barker just after the hour.[LNB] Newcastle had their best spell just after Derby's first goal with Stephen Bywater saving from Wayne Routledge and Kevin Nolan but the home side were worthy of their three points.[LNB] Magpies manager Chris Hughton only changed his side when they were three goals down and he may rue his decision to stick with the same starting line up that beat Cardiff 5-1 on Friday.[LNB] Peter Lovenkrands was unlucky not to start ahead of Leon Best but fellow striker Andy Carroll was well worthy of his place.[LNB] And the Gateshead-born frontman was screaming for a penalty after only 90 seconds, but referee Anthony Taylor saw nothing in Jake Buxton's challenge on the 21- year-old who was trying to latch on to Routledge's cross.[LNB] As far as the Magpies' threat in the opening half hour that was about it with Derby passing the pre-match table-toppers off the park early on but failing to find an end product.[LNB] Their best chances were both created by Stephen Pearson but Hulse couldn't reach his low cross and then Commons could only head straight at Steve Harper from eight yards out.[LNB] Newcastle's main threat was due to the ineptitude of Derby right back Nicky Hunt who kept handing possession to Gutierrez. On the first occasion the Argentinean wasted it but his cross just after the half hour was headed past his own post by Shaun Barker.[LNB] The chance to fly around midfield against the likes of Kevin Nolan was clearly an inspiration to 35-year-old Robbie Savage.[LNB] But his crashing about got a little out of hand just after the half hour and his crude challenge to bring down the flying Routledge rightly brought a yellow card.[LNB] To show he has more to his game than the destructive he then helped set up Derby's opening goal in the 39th minute.[LNB] After telling Hunt exactly how he should be marking Gutierrez, Savage picked out the pass of the half to find Commons in the inside right position.[LNB] The Scotland international twisted and turned before dinking a great cross which was met by the forehead of Hulse who gave Steve Harper no chance.[LNB] Newcastle were clearly in need of a kick up the backside with their two best chances arriving soon after Derby went ahead.[LNB] First Routledge went through one-on-one with Bywater on the right with the Rams keeper beating away his effort before Nolan produced a mirror image save from Bywater when he went clear down the left.[LNB] The need for half-time changes was apparent, but Hughton opted to stick with his starting XI.[LNB] Carroll had the ball in the net soon after the restart only to see the referee give a free-kick for a foul on Routledge in the build up.[LNB] Hughton and the Newcastle bench were far from happy with the decision and it appeared clear it was not going to be their night.[LNB] With their first real attack of the second half Derby were two-up. A hopeful through ball gave Tonge a run at goal only to be clipped by Gutierrez in the box with the assistant referee furiously waving for foul.[LNB] Commons stepped up to send Harper the wrong way from the spot.[LNB] Surely time for changes from the Newcastle manager, but still nothing.[LNB] Just after the hour Derby went three-up with Barker sweeping home a cross from Commons and only then did Hughton change personnel.[LNB] Shola Ameobi, Lovenkrands and Alan Smith came on but by that point the game was over.[LNB] Danny Guthrie did produce a late save from Bywater who tipped over his free kick but it would have merely been a consolation.[LNB] Matchfacts Goals: Hulse (1-0, 39), Commons (2- 0, pen; 58), Barker (3-0, 62) Bookings: Savage (38, foul), Gutierrez (57, foul), Pearson (62, foul), Buxton (68, foul), Green (87, foul) Attendance: 28,607 Referee: Anthony Taylor (Wythenshawe) 6 Entertainment: [LNB] NEWCASTLE (4-4-2): Harper 5; Simpson 5, Williamson 4, Hall 4, van Aanholt 5 (Smith 67, 5); ROUTLEDGE 6, Guthrie 6, Nolan 4, Gutierrez 5, Carroll 5 (Ameobi, 67, 5), Best 4 (Lovenkrands, 67, 5). Subs (not used): Krul (gk), Kadar, Donaldson, Pancrate.[LNB] DERBY COUNTY (4-4-1-1): Bywater 6; Hunt 5, Barker 6, Buxton 6, McEveley 6; Tonge 6, Savage 7 (Anderson 88), Green 6, Pearson 6; COMMONS 8 (Vidal 81); Hulse 7 (Martin 88). Subs (not used): Deeney (gk); Teale, Porter, Moxey.[LNB] MAN OF THE MATCH KRIS Commons intelligent running and skill too was much for Newcastle's defence[LNB]
