Source: Telegraph
Newcastle United 4 Coventry City 1: match report
Wayne Routledge always seems to have flattered to deceive but on Wednesday night the winger suggested he may at last have changed his ways following his arrival at St James' Park. [LNB]With a spectacular goal, the former Tottenham player spearheaded an impressive Newcastle United recovery as the Tyneside club regained their grip on top spot in the Championship. [LNB]Newcastle United 3 Reading 0: match reportRoutledge's intervention, after Clinton Morrison suggested an upset could be on the cards, ensured that Newcastle preserved their unbeaten home league record. Andy Carroll put Newcastle ahead before Coventry City were reduced to 10 men due to Routledge's pace that allowed Peter Lovenkrands to score from the penalty spot. [LNB]Coventry, unbeaten in their six games, gave Newcastle an early scare but Morrison, making his 500th league appearance, saw his curling shot nodded off the line by captainKevin Nolan. [LNB]Newcastle quickly hit back but Keiren Westwood brilliantly pushed away Peter Lovenkrands's header following Jonas Gutierrez's fine cross after the winger outmanoeuvred right-back Stephen Wright. [LNB]After drifting for more than half-and-hour, the game suddenly burst into life in the 35th minute when Coventry took the lead in fortuitous circumstances as Morrison slipped as he made contact with Michael McIndoe's cross but still diverted the ball past Steve Harper. [LNB]The response was as swift as it was stylish as Routledge beat Westwood with a low 25-yard volley after Lovenkrands's cross following Danny Guthrie's short corner was nodded out by Wright only for the winger to crash home his first goal in Newcastle colours. [LNB]It needed that moment of inspiration to pull Newcastle level because Chris Hughton's side lacked a creative spark in midfield that was necessary to prise open a robust Coventry defence while Gutierrez and Routledge failed to deliver on a regular basis out on the flanks. [LNB]Newcastle began the second half with far more purpose and their invigorated approach quickly paid dividends as Guthrie pushed the ball through to Kevin Nolan who crossed from the by-line for Carroll to apply the finishing touch with a close-range header in the 53rd minute. [LNB]Newcastle moved into an unassailable lead in the 70th minute when Leon Barnett was sent off after picking up his second caution of the evening when he felled Routledge in the penalty area and Lovenkrands beat Westwood with a powerfully struck spot-kick. [LNB]Substitute Ryan Taylor wrapped up the scoring with a close-range, stoppage-time finish. [LNB]
