Goals from Lovenkrands and Fabrice Pancrate were enough to send Newcastle United four points clear of second placed West Brom. Even though Kevin Nolan received his marching orders for a second bookable offence, the Toon now extend their unbeaten to eleven games (in all competitions).

When Newcastle were relegated, many pundits and fans of opposing clubs warned us that the Coca Cola Championship would be a difficult league to get out of. Well, I’m sorry to say that this league is becoming a bit of a cakewalk. It’s definitely not the huge physical scrap we’d thought it be, and we can undo many of the teams we play because of the quality we have. Make no mistake, we deserved to be relegated but quite clearly the players that we have are a step above other Championship players.

On-loan signing Marlon Harewood retained his spot in the starting lineup and managed to play his part in the Toon’s opening goal. Harewood chased down a backpass played by Craig Cathcart to his goalkeeper and played the ball across to Peter Lovenkrands who just had to slot it into an empty net.

Kevin Nolan’s harsh sending off reduced Newcastle to 10 men and Watford managed to put some pressure on the Toon’s backline. However, Watford didn’t make their pressure count as they lacked the extra quality to open Newcastle up. On came Nicky Butt to aid in defence and Fabrice Pancrate made an appearance in the 83rd minute. The Frenchman’s impact was almost instantaneous after holding the ball up in the box, managed to turn two Watford defenders and fire in an unstoppable shot past Scott Loach. Fabrice Pancrate’s goal was Newcastle’s second and finally made sure that Newcastle  held onto the victory.

Even though it’s great to be sitting here talking about the goals we’ve scored, we have to give credit where credit’s due. That’s another clean sheet for us with a total of 11 all season, and the Newcastle United defence can all be proud of the work they’ve put in over the past few months (I never thought I’d be saying that!). The record speaks for itself, the Toon have the best defensive record in the league.

Another three points, another home victory and we’re certainly in good form right now. It’s going to be difficult to see us not winning the Championship. We’re 10 points clear of third place and looking good to go straight back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

After what seems like an age since we last played football, Newcastle United were back in competitive action tonight as they faced Preston North end in the Coca Cola Championship. With a win, Newcastle could return to the top of the league – a draw would mean that they would end up a point behind West Brom.

Newcastle were due to start with Ryan Taylor but lost the player during the warm-up because he was still getting over a virus. Big Toon striker Andy Caroll was also under the weather but was deemed fit enough. Marlon Harewood replaced Taylor in the NUFC lineup.

When Newcastle have played away, they’ve often been under the kosh for the majority of the game. Such is life in the Championship – they players may not beat you with their skill, but they’ll battle and fight for every ball. The Toon almost got off to a perfect start though as Steven Taylor put a diving header just wide.

Neill Mellor, the former Liverpool striker was Preston’s main threat throughout the night and had several chances, one of those coming in the first-half as the striker brought a comfortable save out of Steve Harper. There were several chances for both teams (no surprise, Jonas missed one) and NUFC’s Alan Smith received a yellow card. The game went in at half time nil-nil.

A collision between Preston defender Youl Mawene and his goalkeeper saw the defender replaced at half-time by Liam Chilvers who struck a shot just wide. Christ Hughton replaced Any Carroll around the hour mark with young striker Nile Ranger. The Newcastle youngster almost made an immediate difference and forced Preston’s keeper into a smart save. Newcastle’s goal came from Kevin Nolan, who turned and fired home from about 10 yards. That makes it 8 goals for Nolan who was clearly delighted with the strike. The 3,500 travelling Newcastle fans weren’t half pleased either!

There were disappointing performances from Jonas, Carroll and Harewood, but a win is a win and another three points in the bag. We now sit atop the table clear of second-placed West Brom by two points.

There aren’t many things worse than what’s happened to our club over the past week or so, and I was hoping that it wouldn’t have too much of an impact on the NUFC players. Fortunately (and rather fortuitously), they battled to a hard fought victory over Sheffield United.

The Blades made the Newcastle players work hard for this victory, which on another day, could so easily have gone against us. Steve Harper who in particular played an absolute blinder pulling out several stops to keep us in the game. The superb reflex save against Darius Henderson during injury time being the pick of the lot. The reaction amongst the Newcastle players after that save showed just how much NUFC wanted the win.

Newcastle struggled in the first half with few chances being created. The industrious Sheffield United kept on the pressure but the Newcastle defence was (unusually) resolute. One thing that really did annoy me was our use of the ball when we had possession. Jonas Gutierrez being particularly guilty of running up blind alleys and giving away the ball too often for my liking.

The Newcastle goal came after Kevin Nolan won the ball with a strong challenge who then played it to Ryan Taylor, who’s well struck shot took a huge deflection off Chris Morgan and ended up in the back of the net. Newcastle’s performance was a little better in the second half and Andy Carroll had a great header strike off the upright and bounce out.

Sheffield came back into it though as they pressed for the equaliser. They had several good opportunities to grab a goal but some solid defending and Steven Harper in sublime form saw Newcastle take all three points. On the balance of play, I think we just edged it, but make no mistake, the Newcastle United players knew they were in a game tonight.

Newcastle United go into the international break three points clear at the top of the Coca Cola Championship. That lead however could, and should, have been extended to six points today.

Bristol City goalkeeper Dean Gerken had an absolute blinder and had one of his upright’s to thank after Marlon Harewood shot against the post in the opening stages.

The keeper was only playing after Bristol’s first choice keeper – Adrano Basso was injured during the warm up. Danny Guthrie, Kevin Nolan, and Steven Taylor all had efforts either saved by Gerken or hit the woodwork.

We’re bound to have days when we throw everything at teams who play at St James’s Park, but the ref’s refusal to give a stonewall penalty after Marlon Harewood was felled in the box is just something that can’t be accounted for.

Fortunately, West Brom also drew meaning that Newcastle’s lead at the top stayed at three points.

This was always billed as a nostalgic game between two of Bobby Robson’s former clubs. Ipswich’s North Stand today was renamed the Sir Bobby Robson Stand and how they could have done with the former England manager’s know-how.

Kevin Nolan, in arguably his best game for Newcastle, managed to grab a hat-trick, and Ryan Taylor added his name to the scoresheet with a cracking free-kick, we’ve been waiting for one of those for ages.

The Toon always had the upper hand and once the first goal went in, it was always looking likely that Ipswich would capitulate. Sure enough, Newcastle went in at half-time 3-0 up thanks in part to a quickfire double from Kevin Nolan. Nolan completed his hat-trick in the second-half with a short range finish with Nile Ranger being the provider.

It was only left for us to see out the second half and we did so with ease with Nolan grabbing his third and Newcastle’s fourth. Marlon Harewood made his debut appearance towards the end of the game and by all accounts, looked very lively.

Roy Keane, still looking for his first win of the new season will be left wondering just what he has to do. Newcastle United on the other hand are continuing their fine run of form with Alan Smith looking as committed as ever wearing the captain’s armband.

Newcastle United continued their impressive start to the season and went joint top of the Championship with a well earned victory over Crystal Palace.

Regardless of the uncertainty surrounding the future of the club, the Toon players are showing they are more than up for the fight with goals from Kevin Nolan and a cracker from Ryan Taylor. Neil Warnock, constantly harassing the linesman and fourth official, as well as his players was always going to have his team motivated to play against us – the question that needed to be answered was, were Newcastle up for the scrap?

We attacked from the off and were rewarded with a goal just a few minutes in as Gutierrez crossed for Nolan who finished first time. The Palace defence seemed vulnerable and it looked like every time we went forward we could get something. Who said this league was going to be tough? Freddie Sears did look a livewire though and was probably Palace’s main threat throughout making Steve Harper pull off a couple of fine saves.

Ryan Taylor, who Newcastle fans will remember for scoring against us, finally showed what he’s capable of by scoring a screamer into the top corner. Palace continued to push and there were a few dodgy moments by our defenders, but blocks by Coloccini (yes you read that right) meant that Newcastle left Selhurst Park with a clean sheet and a decent performance.

A poignant moment at the end of the game where skippers Alan Smith and Nicky Butt both embraced stand-in manager Chris Hughton. Could this be the last game under Hughton’s leadership? If body language is anything to go by it certainly looked like it.

Here’s to Monday and hopefully getting rid of Mike Ashley once and for all. We can only hope.

If it hasn’t been clear enough for the optimists amongst Toon supporters, the defeat against Arsenal should wake you from that alternate world you’ve been living in. Let me be clear about this, Newcastle United could be playing in the Championship next season. There, I said it.

We have 8 games left and we are currently in 18th place, two points adrift of Blackburn. Unless we start getting points on the board and quickly, we’re on a hiding to nothing. Our two toughest games, away to Liverpool and at home to Chelsea can be discounted, if we get anything from those two games it would be a bonus. Thats leaves the remaining six games and eighteen points to play for.

Recent talk from Kevin Nolan was that he is 100% positive that NUFC will be in the Premier League next season. Now is not the time for talk. Now’s the time to do the talking with our performances on the pitch, our perilous league position demands it.

Strong rumours coming out today linking the Toon with Kevin Nolan from Bolton and Ryan Taylor from Wigan. In my eyes, both would be welcome additions to the depleted Newcastle squad. Hopefully Toulouse full-back Albin Ebondo will also put pen to paper before the end of the transfer window.

Our being linked with Veloso of Sporting Lisbon seems like agent talk to drum up further offers. He’s a good player, but at this point in time we need fighters, a midfielder not used to playing in the Premier League when we’re in a relegation scrap is not what we need right now.

Man City’s derisory offer for Shay Given was given all the credence it needed and laughed off by Mike Ashley. I think if we get an offer of 8 million or above we should take it, but only if that money gets invested in new players.