Source: Eurosport
Newcastle v Peterborough - 7 November
Direct Newcastle remain on top[LNB]Mike Ashley was spared a mauling as Newcastle cruised to a 3-1 victory over Peterborough to cement their place at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship table.[LNB]The under-fire owner was subjected to angry protests both before and during the game - one banner read "Not wanted@St James' Park" - but Chris Hughton's players ensured the supporters had something positive to shout about with a rousing performance.[LNB]It was a day of firsts for the Magpies: the first game since Ashley re-named the ground the sportsdirect.com@St James' Park Stadium, Chris Hughton's first home game as permanent manager and first goals for Jonas Gutierrez and Danny Simpson.[LNB]But from the moment Gutierrez capped an enterprising 15th-minute run with the opening goal, the bulk of a crowd of 43,067 were at least able to enjoy the fare on offer on the pitch.[LNB]Andy Carroll made it 2-0 with an 18th-minute header and Simpson's curling effort seven minutes after the break secured the points long before Dean Keates' consolation strike 10 minutes from time.[LNB]Gutierrez was denied a seventh-minute opener after a mesmerising run into the box when his shot was blocked by defender Ryan Bennett but he did not have to wait long to make his mark.[LNB]With 15 minutes gone, the Argentina international set out from half way before cutting inside from the left wing and carving his way through the blue shirts then firing right-footed past keeper Joe Lewis.[LNB]Newcastle were 2-0 up within three minutes when Carroll guided Danny Guthrie's corner beyond Lewis with a deft near-post header.[LNB]Kevin Nolan fired over from 20 yards as Posh struggled to keep the home side at bay but Newcastle were dealt a blow when Gutierrez limped off with only 21 minutes gone to be replaced by Ryan Taylor.[LNB]Guthrie fired against the foot of the far post with 28 minutes gone but, as the visitors finally responded, the Magpies became sloppy in possession.[LNB]However, Lewis was beaten for the third time seven minutes after the break when full-back Simpson cut inside from the right and curled a left-foot shot into the top corner.[LNB]Steve Harper had to make his first real save of the game from George Boyd's 57th-minute shot and was stretched further by substitute Aaron Mclean's effort seconds later, and he excelled himself once again to block Craig Mackail-Smith's 62nd-minute shot from point-blank range.[LNB]However, in the meantime, Lewis had had to deny first Nolan and then Marlon Harewood in quick succession, and he later had to keep out a Jose Enrique piledriver as the home side went for the kill.[LNB]Keates struck from close range with 80 minutes gone but there was no way back for Posh.
