NUFC 3 - Preston NE 0 - The Carnival returns to SJP

Another 3 points at home and SJP is truely a Fortress this year, a very passionate crowd saw the lads easily beat a half decent Preston side who never really got going.

Darren Ferguson, sacked by Peterborough this season in the wake of a defeat at Newcastle, will survive this second setback at St James’ Park with his job intact.

Goals from Peter Lovenkrands, Kevin Nolan and Ryan Taylor fuelled the belief that we are heading straight back to the Premier League, while Ferguson’s side remain in the lower half of the table - potentially being sucked into the relegation dogfight.

Ferguson knew the importance of frustrating The Mags in the early stages, but it was a policy that lasted only 133 seconds.

Nolan set up Lovenkrands for a cross that drifted beyond keeper Andy Lonergan and inside the far post, a fluke? If so who cares.

We remain unbeaten at home this season and had scored nine goals in their previous two home games while Preston arrived at St James’ Park after conceding five goals to Derby in midweek. Again though Colo and Williamson looked solid at the back and either of them could have been the man of the match.

Preston’s first chance came after 15 minutes, with Jon Parkin unleashing a fine shot on the turn after Chris Sedgwick’s dummy. Keeper Steve Harper, 35 next month, rescued his side with a fine reflex save, and he was equally sharp when he dealt with a dangerous Billy Jones break.

But Preston’s challenge was effectively ended when Nolan exchanged passes with Alan Smith in the 55th minute and scored his first goal since Boxing Day.

Then it simply became a question of how many goals Newcastle would score. They went close through Andy Carroll’s angled 78th-minute volley, but Ryan Taylor sealed another decisive home win when he fired home in added time.

Highlights

The loudness of Curva Nord in the 2nd half (BOOM!)

The Andy Williams inspired Colocinni chant - Original Here

Hughton finally getting some attention from the fans (w/ reciprocal wave)

The Pancake ‘Benny Hill’ followed by the trademark layoff to Raylor.