Source: Daily_Mail
Preston 0 Newcastle 1: New hero Nolan's late finish saves Toon raiders
He may have been unable to lift Newcastle to safety last season, but Kevin Nolan has emerged as their unlikely hero in the Championship.[LNB]The former Bolton skipper, a £4.5million signing last January, scored his ninth goal of the season to win three points and take back to the top of the table.[LNB]Seconds after his namesake Eddie came on for Preston, Nolan latched on to Marlon Harewood's flicked header from a Danny Guthrie cross before neatly placing his left-foot shot under keeper Andy Lonergan.[LNB] Top of the charts: Nolan watches his sublime finish on the turn sail into the Preston net for Newcastle's late winner[LNB]Nolan, who failed to score as Newcastle slid down the Premier Leaguetable last season, said his new-found goal touch was no great surprise.[LNB][LNB] Newcastle sign former PSG winger Pancrate until end of the season Chris Hughton denies Campbell is close to completing Newcastle dealOn-loan Man United defender Danny Simpson keen to stay with Newcastle 'We worked really hard in pre-season,' he said. [LNB]'I managed to get on the scoresheet and came into the season feeling confident.'[LNB]The Scouser celebrated in front of the impressive Newcastletravelling support, who had turned to desperate measures to inspiretheir team, with one joker throwing a beach ball in front of Lonergan'sgoal at the start of one Newcastle move in the second half.[LNB]With the goalkeeper at the edge of his area and oblivious to theinflatable ball, fourth official Carl Boyeson sprinted from hisposition by the halfway line to gather it and avoid a repeat of DarrenBent's infamous winner for Sunderland against Liverpool.[LNB] Pain game: Preston striker Chris Brown is covered in blood following a dangerous high challenge[LNB]Newcastle manager Chris Hughton, said: 'That's our ninth cleansheet, so we have resilience but we also have a goalscorer in Kevin,who has a great knack of being in the right place and when he gets inthere he has a composure to take chances.'[LNB]The defeat was tough on Preston, who dominated most of the game.Although goalkeeper Steve Harper made one excellent fingertip save tokeep out a low effort from Rrichard Chaplow, he had a reasonablycomfortable night, making routine stops from Paul Parry, Michael Tongeand former Sunderland striker Chris Brown, son of Alan, who played forboth North East rivals.[LNB]The most disappointed figure at the final whistle was Prestonstriker Neil Mellor, who wasted the best opportunity when he latched onto Billy Jones's excellent through ball to beat Tamas Kadar withinseconds of his introduction, only to slice the ball into theside-netting.[LNB] Licking it: Newcastle captain Alan Smith comes out on top in a tough tackle against Billy Jones[LNB]Preston manager Alan Irvine said: 'There was nothing in it and thatwas harsh but we were undone by some very good finishing. We have seenKevin Nolan do that so many times.[LNB]'I have now seen Newcastle five times and they grind out resultsbecause they have that quality and experience. Everyone expects them tochallenge for the top two positions but this is a tough division. Ihope they will be promoted with us.'[LNB] Cut above the rest: Argentina international Jonas Gutierrez (R) battles for the ball with Preston's on-loan midfielder Michael Tonge[LNB]Preston were also unhappy with Harewood and Alan Smith, who wereboth involved in ugly skirmishes during the match and at half-time. [LNB]On loan Aston Villastriker Harewood was singled out as the sides headed down the tunnel athalf-time following his robust challenge on Youl Mawene which left theinfluential central defender requiring hospital tests on a possiblemedial ligament injury. Irvine said he was sure it was an accidentalcollision.[LNB] What a relief: Kevin Nolan toasts his late winner with team-mate Steven Taylor[LNB] Smith picked up his sixth booking of the season for a wild elbow tothe back of Chris Sedgewick's head and was fortunate not to pick up asecond caution for another elbow on Brown which left the strikerrequiring a head bandage.[LNB]Smith and Neill Collins had a frank exchange of views and had to beseparated by team-mates and Smith in particular was told to calm downby Hughton and referee Stuart Mathieson.[LNB]Newcastle captain Smith said: 'I told the ref didn't mean to catch him.'[LNB] Newcastle sign former PSG winger Pancrate until end of the season Chris Hughton denies Campbell is close to completing Newcastle dealOn-loan Man United defender Danny Simpson keen to stay with Newcastle [LNB] Explore more:People:Kevin Nolan, Alan Irvine, Chris Brown, Marlon Harewood, Steven Taylor, Darren Bent, Paul ParryPlaces:Newcastle, Argentina
