Source: Telegraph
Newcastle United 3 Preston North End 0: match report
Kevin Nolan struck his first goal since Boxing Day to strengthen Newcastle United's grip on pole position in the race for promotion to the Premier League. [LNB]Newcastle's 12-goal leading scorer secured Newcastle the victory that extended their lead at the top of the Championship to five points over a chasing pack. [LNB] Related ArticlesChampionship fixturesChampionship tableTelegraph player raterSport on televisionNewcastle prioritise points above plauditsBarton still 'real asset' to NewcastleNolan timely return to form stretched his club's lead over second-placed Nottingham Forest who leapfrogged West Bromwich Albion who will aim to make up lost ground at Bristol City on Sunday. [LNB]The former Bolton midfielder re-discovered his goal-scoring touch after Chris Hughton's side had been put on their way to victory thanks to Peter Lovenkrands' early strike before Ryan Taylor completed the scoring in stoppage time. [LNB]Preston could have done with a bit of good fortune as they sought their first win on Tyneside since the 1963-64 season but instead Lady Luck smiled on Newcastle. [LNB]Only three minutes had elapsed when Lovenkrands put Newcastle in command when his cross aimed at Andy Carroll drifted over Andy Lonergan and even the former Rangers striker looked embarrassed by his stroke of luck. [LNB]Preston made light of the inopportune start and Newcastle only remained ahead two minutes later when Steve Harper pulled off an excellent save to deny Jon Parkin when Chris Sedgwick's dummied Ross Wallace's cross. [LNB]Lovenkrands limped off in the 14th minute and Newcastle lost their way thanks to their lack of zip provided by Kevin Nolan and Alan Smith in central midfield which allowed Preston plenty of possession although [LNB]Chris Sedgwick wasted their best opening of a promising spell. Newcastle would, though, have doubled their lead had it not been for the excellence of Lonergan who denied Smith and Mike Williamson with two acrobatic saves in quick succession. [LNB]Parkin came within inches of equalising just before half-time when his volley whistled just wide of Harper's post - an effort that left Preston manager Darren Ferguson holding his head in his hands. [LNB]Newcastle improved after the break and Danny Guthrie went close to extending his team's advantage but his rising shot soared just over Lonergan's crossbar as the Preston threat receded. [LNB]Nolan effectively put the outcome beyond reasonable doubt and ensured Newcastle's unbeaten league home record would remain in tact for the time being in the 54th minute with a deft finish. [LNB]Following a neat inter-change of passes with Smith, Nolan clipped the ball over Lonergan from close range to wrap up the points just as he had with a similar flash of inspiration in a 1-0 win at Deepdale. [LNB]Preston refused to buckle and Tom Williams curled in a fine cross but the disappointing Danny Welbeck failed to latch on to a ball across the six-yard box. [LNB]Ferguson replaced the ineffective Welbeck with Neil Mellor but it was Parkin who continued to take the fight to Newcastle and tested Harper with a low, angled drive but the hosts held firm. [LNB]Newcastle fans sang Hughton's name for the first time before Taylor completed a comfortable victory by scoring for the second time in a week when he thumped the ball past Lonergan following Fabrice Pancrate's cross in the dying moments. [LNB]
