NEWCASTLE 3 PLYMOUTH 1

19 September 2009 16:54
NEWCASTLE bounced back from their first defeat of the season with a 3-1 win over Plymouth Argyle, but the scoreline flattered the hosts slightly given the laboured manner of parts of their performance. Goals from Steven Taylor, Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll took Chris Hughtons side back to second place in the Championship table, but given Plymouths position at the foot of the table, the Magpies display was hardly fantastic. Indeed, for large portions of the game, Newcastle were outplayed by their opponents, and the lack of pace in the home sides ranks was glaringly apparent throughout. A win is a win though, and after losing to Blackpool on Wednesday night, Hughton will have been relieved to see his side get back to winning ways at the first time of asking. The interim boss can also point to the wisdom of his substitutions, as Newcastle undoubtedly perked up after the introduction of Danny Guthrie and Nile Ranger midway through the second half. They could hardly have wished for a better start, with Steven Taylor nodding in Geremis left-wing corner in only the sixth minute. The defender almost scored at the other end on the stroke of half-time, but his hurried clearance from a Jamie Mackie cross smacked against his own post. That proved a temporary let off for the hosts, as Plymouth were level five minutes into the second half as Karl Duguid converted Cillian Sheridans cross from ten yards out. A draw at that stage was probably about right, but Newcastle regained the lead when Nolan poked home substitute Guthries left-wing cross from close range. Carroll then capped a fine attacking display with the goal that secured all three points. The striker controlled the ball on his chest after Ranger had ruffled the Plymouth defence, and drilled a fierce finish past a helpless Romain Larrieu.

Source: Northern_Echo