Source: SKY_Sports
Hughton hails Magpies' character
Assistant manager Chris Hughton believes Newcastle deserve high praise for overcoming the absence of boss Joe Kinnear to defeat West Brom.[LNB] Kinnear was not present for the Magpies' 3-2 victory against their Premier League relegation rivals at The Hawthorns after being taken to hospital due to illness.[LNB]And having guided Newcastle to the three points in the Midlands, Hughton has revealed he and the club's directors are to visit Kinnear before returning to Tyneside. [LNB]Hughton said: "I am on my way with the directors to go and see Joe now. All I can say is he is okay and the club will issue a statement this evening.[LNB]Consolation"I have been with him for most of the time as per normal in the build-up to the game. We prepared for the game as per normal.[LNB]"We have a good group of lads and with Joe, they are very fond of him as a manager and appreciate the job he has done.[LNB]"They were very much aware of what happened and I am sure that was in their minds."[LNB]Newcastle scored twice in the opening nine minutes through Damien Duff and Peter Lovenkrands as the latter cancelled out Marc-Antoine Fortune's equaliser.[LNB]Steven Taylor then added a third before half-time, while Fortune could only net a 73rd minute consolation, and Hughton was impressed. [LNB]InfluenceHe added: "We came out of the blocks very well and got the early goal. It was a big disappointment to lose that lead so early.[LNB]"But we showed great character. Offensively I thought we did very well today. Apart from the goals, we created enough chances to go further ahead in the game.[LNB]"You will always look at the goals you concede but overall we were the better side.[LNB]"There are some pluses. I thought we had a lot of energy and the new players had a good influence on the team."[LNB]
