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. 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.Darren Bent managed a late consolation which could not ruin Nolan's afternoon."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."We're delighted, we've worked so hard this week and it's paid off today."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."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."Ameobi insisted his taking of the penalty was strictly professional, with Nolan still on for his hat-trick at the time."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."I practised taking them yesterday and none went in so I'm delighted."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."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."We knew what game it was and what it meant to them."(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."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."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."To come here and play like that, it's not acceptable."

Source: Team_Talk