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 take on QPR tonight at St James’s Park and a win will take us five points clear at the top of the Championship.

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The Toon welcome back Jonas Gutierrez from a hamstring injury and Danny Guthrie from suspension. Coloccini is ruled out with an injury, while Ryan Taylor and Danny Simpson are both last minute decisions. With some of the performances of last weekend, you’d hope that Chris Hughton would be able to field an un-changed side.

After the results went our way with both Middlesbrough and West Brom losing, it’s time we showed our mettle. Anything less than a win would be a wasted opportunity.

Prediction:

Newcastle 2 – 0 QPR

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.

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.