Source: Team_Talk
Nolan backs boss after hat-trick
Captain Kevin Nolan scored a hat-trick in Newcastle's 5-1 humiliation of local rivals Sunderland before firmly backing manager Chris Hughton.[LNB] Nolan scored twice before Shola Ameobi's penalty put the Magpies 3-0 up by half-time. Former Newcastle defender Titus Bramble was sent off for an ugly 53rd-minute challenge on Andy Carroll before Ameobi doubled his tally and Nolan completed his treble five minutes later.[LNB]Darren Bent managed a late consolation which could not ruin Nolan's afternoon.[LNB]"Obviously it's fantastic," the captain told Sky Sports 1. "We knew it would be tough - and I think it was, I think we got lucky with a couple of the goals.[LNB]"We're delighted, we've worked so hard this week and it's paid off today."[LNB]As for his first top-flight hat-trick, Nolan said: "It's unbelievable. I made my debut against these (Sunderland) and to score a hat-trick will live with me forever."[LNB]Manager Hughton has been installed as bookmakers' favourite to be the first Premier League managerial casualty but Nolan said: "I'm delighted for the fans and delighted for Chris after what he was put through this week."[LNB]Ameobi insisted his taking of the penalty was strictly professional, with Nolan still on for his hat-trick at the time.[LNB]"I'm the designated penalty taker in the team and at the end of the day I had to do a professional job," he said. "At 2-0 they are still in the game and that's my job.[LNB]"I practised taking them yesterday and none went in so I'm delighted."[LNB]Boss Hughton played down the personal significance of the win, which was enhanced by support from both his players and the St James' Park crowd.[LNB]"When I see the stadium we have and the support we have, to see the reaction from them is what the game is all about," he said.[LNB]"We knew what game it was and what it meant to them.[LNB]"(The fans' support) means a lot but for me it's never been the most important thing. The most important thing is seeing this group doing well."[LNB]Sunderland manager Steve Bruce was in no mood to mince his words. Asked if it was his worst moment in football management, he said: "In football management? Probably in my career, I would have thought.[LNB]"It's still trying to sink in what we have just witnessed. Everything that could go wrong on the day went wrong. Penalties, red cards, poor defending. Rolled into one it's been a disastrous afternoon. We have to hold our hands up and say we were well beaten.[LNB]"To come here and play like that, it's not acceptable."
