Source: Telegraph
Newcastle United 3 Reading 0: match report
It is doubtful Shola Ameobi will ever score a more unhelpful hat-trick in the eyes of Newcastle supporters because his endeavours might well be blamed for giving club owner Mike Ashley second thoughts about selling the club. [LNB]Newcastle supporters angrily turned on Ashley as he ran a gauntlet at St James' Park but Ameobi ensured his paymaster got off relatively lightly with morale-boosting goals which meant that he appeared to have enjoyed his trip to Tyneside. [LNB] Related ArticlesNewcastle sign SimpsonEverton to bid for TaylorFulham lead chase for DuffO'Leary 'no' to NewcastleNewcastle face up to life in ChampionshipSport on televisionIntriguingly, the sports retail tycoon faced up to his many detractors when he took his place in the directors' box alongside would-be owner Barry Moat but he was still the focus of ire from home fans before and after Ameobi's goals. [LNB]His strikes were a cause for genuine celebration and defused the local unrest as Newcastle climbed towards the summit of the nascent Championship and meant that he was applauded off the field by Ashley long after the final whistle had been sounded as the striker clutched the match ball. [LNB]Beforehand, Ashley, who had attended a pre-match charity event with Moat, was left in no doubt about local antipathy when spectators throughout the stadium rose to their feet with a couple of renditions of Stand up if you hate Ashley and a variety of other unpleasant ditties. [LNB]It was all the stark contrast to a moving minute's applause as fans and players paid homage to the late former Newcastle manager, Sir Bobby Robson, but he would have been proud of the performance of Ameobi whose career he launched during his five-year rein. [LNB]Ameobi, 27, put Newcastle ahead in the 38th minute on course for victory with his first goal since February when he untidily nodded in Jose Enrique's excellent cross beyond Adam Federici, who had just brilliantly denied Jonas Gutierrez with a fingertip save. [LNB]Ameobi's second arrived on the hour when Newcastle nodded in a far-post cross from Ryan Taylor following an impressive move involving Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton, who was handed a starting berth in place of Fulham-bound Damien Duff. [LNB]Newcastle rarely looked troubled against a relatively lightweight side and Ameobi completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute when he calmly converted a penalty, sending Federici the wrong way after Shane Long handled Barton's corner. [LNB]Later Ameobi dedicated his goals to Robson, stating: "It is only fitting that I dedicate that to him because he started off my career and for me it is a fantastic way to remember him. It was a brilliant team performance." [LNB]Newcastle caretaker manager Chris Hughton, celebrating a home victory for the first time in his third spell as boss, played down the notion that he might take over the position on a long-term basis following the clubs' biggest win since Reading were beaten 3-0 two seasons ago. [LNB] "If there is a takeover which everyone is hoping for then a new manager will be put in place but until that happens I will do the job I am paid to do until I am told otherwise," said Hughton, who insisted that he was not aware that Moat and Ashley's presence together had any special significance. [LNB]His Reading counterpart Brendan Rodgers added: "We won't cry about it. It was a great experience for the young lads because of the size and stature of the club and we will be better for it. It's disappointing but we will move on." [LNB]
