What more can you say right now about the results Newcastle are getting other than I hope it lasts!

Goals from Shola Ameobi and Nile Ranger’s first goal for the club solidified our lead at the top of the Championship to seven points, and 12 points ahead of third place. Once again, Steve Harper proved he’s still got what it takes, as he once more kept another clean sheet. Harper for England? I would really like to see a goalkeeper in better form than Steve right now, I reckon you’d be hard pressed to find one.

I have to admit, I’m not Chris Hughton’s biggest fan, but he (and the rest of the staff) deserve a lot of credit for the way they’ve motivated the Newcastle squad, and brought about results at the same time. From what was a ragtag down-and-out group of players when we were relegated are now a determined group of lads who seem like they’re willing to give their all for Newcastle United.

Long may it continue.

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.

Thanks to a late goal from new loan signing Marlon Harewood, Newcastle United managed to avoid defeat, and with it, go three points clear at the top of the Championship.

It wasn’t all plain sailing though and QPR proved they were no pushovers. They went in front on the 7th minute after a mistake from Jose Enrique allowed Ben Watson to slide the ball past Steve Harper. After 19 minutes Newcastle were gifted a chance to equalise from the penalty spot. Steven Taylor took a shot which hit the arm of Damion Stewart and the ref had no choice but to give Newcastle a penalty. Up stepped Danny Guthrie to put the ball home only for his weak shot to be easily palmed away by ‘Keeper Radek Cerny.

This gave the Toon the impetus to push forward and once more Guthrie was involved as he chose to shoot wide rather than play in striker Andy Carroll. The big striker then almost had one for himself as his shot was cleared off the line. However, Newcastle’s efforts went unrewarded as they went in one goal down at half-time.

The second half brought to life the Toon’s glaring lack of pace. Gutierrez came on to replace Butt to give us some width but failed to make much of an impact. It was either a stroke of genius or touch of desperation when Harewood was brought on to replace Nile Ranger in the 61st minute. The new signing made a great impact after getting on the end of a cross to put the ball home.

After the emphatic 4-0 victory over Ipswich, this was always going to be a tougher test as the R’s came prepared to have a go at Newcastle. Fortunately, even though the lads didn’t play particularly well, we managed to to maintain our unbeaten home run, extend our lead to three points, and we currently have the best goal difference in the league. Crisis? What crisis?

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.