Source: Team_Talk
Hughton happy to sing Carroll's praises
Chris Hughton hailed Andy Carroll after he ended a troubled week on a high by firing Newcastle to a 2-1 victory at relegation rivals West Ham.[LNB] Carroll began the week by answering charges of assault against his ex-girlfriend before having his car torched shortly after being bailed to live with Magpies skipper Kevin Nolan.[LNB]Carroll is also expected in court on Monday to answer a separate charge of assault against team-mate Steven Taylor.[LNB]But the 21-year-old ignored his off-the field worries to set up Newcastle's equaliser before scoring the winner to catapult the Magpies up to ninth in the Premier League table.[LNB]Hughton saluted the character of his top scorer as he defied his critics to pick up his sixth goal of the season.[LNB]"I thought Andy was excellent today," said Hughton. "He didn't have to repay anything to us.[LNB]"He is a tough individual and he knows that the best place for him is out on the pitch and in training every day with a spirited group of players that are very fond of him."[LNB]The victory also came after a tough week for Hughton, who had seen his side slide towards the relegation zone and lose his assistant Colin Calderwood to Scottish side Hibernian.[LNB]"It's a big win for us," said Hughton, who has also seen his side win at Chelsea and Everton this season.[LNB]"I'm delighted for this group of lads because it has been a tough week for us.[LNB]"I have lost my assistant too. It's a very spirited group of lads we have and a very spirited group of staff so I'm delighted for them.[LNB]"It's probably the best performance of the season," he added.[LNB]"No disrespect to the Championship, we had some tremendous performances in there but to do it in the Premier League is harder, tougher and it means more - and that for me would be the best of the season."[LNB]Avram Grant's side went into the match on the back of a five-match unbeaten run and went ahead through Carlton Cole's first of the season.[LNB]The Hammers failed to take control of the game after though and paid the price when Kevin Nolan's well-placed drive levelled the scores before Carroll's second-half header sealed the win.[LNB]The result piled more pressure on the Israeli, who now finds his side three points adrift of safety ahead of next week's daunting trip to Arsenal.[LNB]Grant admitted that his side were second best today.[LNB]He said: "I think we didn't push so much, didn't pressure them, gave them too much space and we gave a lot of ball away too."[LNB]Next week's match at the Emirates is followed by a trip to Birmingham, who have only lost once at home this season.[LNB]Grant admits his task has become harder because of today's loss but insists he is the man to turn the club's fortunes around.[LNB]He continued: "It's harder for us to get out of the relegation zone now but there are almost 30 games left and we have games in the next two months that we can win.[LNB]"If we do well like we did up until now with the five-match unbeaten run we had then I'm sure we can do it."[LNB]Owners David Gold and David Sullivan have voiced their support for Grant over the last few weeks despite the club being rooted to the table.[LNB]Grant thinks that the pair, who sacked Gianfranco Zola after the Hammers narrowly avoided relegation last year, will stick by him.[LNB]"I am being told that they are being patient and understanding," said the 55-year-old.[LNB]"We know that this season would be tough. We don't want to be in this situation.[LNB]"Today we didn't play well in the second half and we paid for this."[LNB]Grant's misery was further compounded by injuries to Frederic Piquionne and Matthew Upson.
