Source: Northern_Echo
Magpies back on top with another fine win
WAYNE ROUTLEDGE was last night backed to become a St James' Park hero after the diminutive winger helped propel Newcastle United back to the front of the Premier League promotion race.[LNB] Newcastle moved to the top of the Championship again with a comfortable 4-1 win over Coventry City, despite an early scare when Clinton Morrison had put the visitors in front.[LNB] The Sky Blues' lead did not last long, with Routledge levelling less than two minutes later before Andy Carroll, Peter Lovenkrands (penalty) and Ryan Taylor completed the win in the second half.[LNB] Newcastle now hold a three point gap over second-placed West Brom, while they are five in front of third-placed Nottingham Forest ahead of Preston's visit to Tyneside on Saturday.[LNB] And going on their last two results on home turf, with last night's victory following the 5-1 mauling of Cardiff City on February 5, it is difficult to imagine that anything other than another win will arrive.[LNB] Hughton, though, is not getting carried away. He said: I don't know if going top again makes a statement. We have had to cope with being in this position for much of the season.[LNB] There is a pressure that we have to cope with, you just hope you can live up to those pressures and that's what we have done so far this season.[LNB] We are churning out results and we will need to.[LNB] You had a Coventry side in good form, worked hard at their game. People were understandably rocky after a couple of poor displays at Derby and Swansea.[LNB] You have your highs and lows, in particular Derby showed us not at our best. We will need to take some of our home form into our away form to make sure we get what we what to achieve.[LNB] Routledge's first goal for Newcastle was a stunning volley from 22 yards that pulled the match level.[LNB] After Carroll had scored his fourth in four matches, taking his tally to ten for the season, Routledge's dart into the Coventry box earned a penalty for Lovenkrands to add number three. It also earned a red card for defender Leon Barnett.[LNB] The display of the former Tottenham man, a £1.2m signing from QPR, delighted the Newcastle fans and it also pleased his manager.[LNB] It was a smashing goal from Wayne, said Hughton.[LNB] You look for him to provide crosses and it's also and added bonus that he can get goals. I hope Wayne fulfils his potential here.[LNB] We have him at a good age.[LNB] He has been to a few clubs and been to big clubs as well, where he has experienced not being first choice. We hope we can develop his game.[LNB] What they like here at St James' is an old fashioned winger. Wayne is a quality player. I hope he can settle here and be here a long time.[LNB] That will be down to him.[LNB] While Hughton was satisfied after watching Newcastle record a comfortable win, he is still not banking on promotion.[LNB] Coventry boss Chris Coleman, however, feels there is little doubt.[LNB] Coleman said: I knew we would be up against it, they're a good team.[LNB] We were disappointed to concede so quickly after scoring but for an hour we were in there.[LNB] We were punished in the end and once Leon Barnett was sent off, scored the penalty, that was it.[LNB] I don't want to put pressure on Chris but I don't see anyone finishing about them.[LNB] They have a big enough squad, quality in every area. I don't see anyone finishing above them.[LNB]
