Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle 3 Scunthorpe 0: Andy Carroll hands Toon an iron grip on title
Any Newcastle fan will tell you there is no comfort in a 12-point cushion. Surely, though, they can settle back and relax a little now.[LNB] No-one in these parts needs reminding that Newcastle held such a lead in the Premier League title race 14 years ago, only to throw it away and gift the crown to Manchester United.[LNB] That's Andy: Newcastle striker Carroll lifts the ball over Scunthorpe keeper Joe Murphy[LNB]A dozen points is the commanding margin the club have established between themselves and third-placed Nottingham Forest after victory last night over relegation-threatened Scunthorpe.[LNB] With a game in hand, an immediate return to the top flight appears a near-formality for Newcastle, whohave lost only once in 23 League games - 3-0 at Derby last month -since being beaten 2-1 away to Scunthorpe in October.[LNB] It was the 28-goal strike force of Andy Carroll and Peter Lovenkrands who did the damage again - they now have 14 apiece this season.[LNB] No wonder Scotland are courting England Under 21 striker Carroll, who qualifies through his grandparents. The Gateshead- born striker, the senior partner last night with a brace, executed a towering header from Danny Guthrie's outswinging corner to hand his side a 10th-minute lead before the lively Lovenkrands finished clinically 12 minutes later. The verve and invention of winger Wayne Routledge, who was making his comeback following exactly a month out with a calf injury, created the opening and the Dane produced a deft killer touch.[LNB] Lovenkrands is in a rich vein of form - he now has 12 goals from his last 11 appearances.[LNB] Peter isn't denied: Lovenkrands scores Newcastle's second to secure a victory that puts the club four points clear at the top[LNB]Newcastle should have been out of sight by half-time, but they had to wait until 10 minutes after the break for a third goal. Guthrie's raking, crossfield ball provided the assist and Carroll's composure proved decisive as he lifted the ball over Joe Murphy. But referee Phil Crossley struck a sour note when he booked Carroll for what was deemed an excessive celebration.[LNB] Newcastle remain unbeaten at home this season, which amounts to 21 league and cup matches, and manager Chris Hughton said: 'Five more wins and we're promoted - is that right? We know the most important gap is between first and third place.'[LNB] Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins said: 'This was only what we expected. Newcastle are a Premier League side in waiting - they are going to be champions this season.[LNB] 'It's been great for some of our lads because they've seen how hard they are going to have to work to reach Newcastle's benchmark. Carroll was a player we tried to bring in a couple of years ago ourselves when he was a youngster. He proved here what a top talent he is.[LNB] 'Saturday is now the biggest game of the season for us against Plymouth.'[LNB] Newcastle, meanwhile, will head to Bristol City with Joey Barton pushing for a recall. The midfielder insists he wants to stick with Newcastle and that he led the way when the senior players pledged their future to the club in the close season. Barton said: 'I love it here and want to stay for a long time.[LNB] 'We had a well-documented chat before the season and we asked who wanted to stay. My hand went straight up. I wanted to help get the team back up.'[LNB] Gary Johnson facing Bristol City sack as Robins owner attempts to arrest dire run of form Dowie named Hull boss after Hughes and Grant reject advances[LNB] [LNB]
