A Little Bit Of History Changing

Mario Mandzukic scored twice as Newcastle secured a third win in a week as they eased past Wolves.

Two goals early on in the second half ensured that Sven-Goran Eriksson's side were able to brush aside fears of a second half comeback and secured their second Premier League win of the season.

Sebastien Bassong's first Newcastle goal set them on the way to victory, and although Wolves had a few opportunities they were unable to make the most of them.

Early pressure ensured that Bassong would get his goal, although it came after a moment of controversy when Cristophe Berra challenged Andy Carroll - a move which Newcastle thought should have yielded a penalty.

Instead, the referee gave a corner but Newcastle were celebrating soon enough. Jonas Gutierrez's flag-kick picked out Bassong, who turned and struck a sweet half-volley past Wayne Hennessey to open the scoring and his account for the Magpies.

Hennessey was the busier of the two keepers during the first half, with the Welshman called into action to deny Mandzukic.

He was then called into action again after 22 minutes when Mandzukic rose to meet Kevin Nolan's cross, with the striker denied. A superb block from Greg Halford was also needed to stop Jonas' volleyed rebound.

Newcastle were still searching, with Ryan Taylor seeing a free kick go wide and Mandzukic see another effort jump skim the top of the crossbar.

Wolves' first effort came after 33 minutes when a corner met Michael Mancienne but the centre back's header was firmly held by Steve Harper.

A curler from Mandzukic was the last action of a first half that saw Newcastle ahead, but worried Wolves could strike back.

The visitors intent was made clear when they replaced holding midfielder Segundo Castillo with striker Sylvain Ebanks-Blake, but this attacking intent was outweighed by a second Newcastle goal two minutes into the second half.

A surging run down the flank from Jonas saw him make the cross which was only half-cleared by Mancienne to Nolan, whose firm header back into the box picked out the run of Mandzukic. This allowed the Croatian to make a header that flew over the keeper and under the bar for a goal.

Hennessey was still being kept busy when he had to deny a half-volley from Mandzukic, but Harper needed to make a save of his own to deny a great run and shot from Michael Kightly.

Harper again made a crucial save to deny Nenad Milijas as Wolves begun to show attacking intent, but the game was killed off with 22 minutes to spare when Newcastle bagged their third.

Patient possession football from Newcastle saw the ball worked from one flank to the other, and Barton cued up the run of Danny Simpson down the right flank. The full-back's eventual cross picked out Mandzukic, who controlled the ball and lashed it home.

It was a fourth goal in two games for the striker, who is already proving a hit with the club's fans after his £4.5M move from Dinamo Zagreb.

Newcastle felt they should have had a penalty for a challenge by Mancienne on Mandzukic, although the impressive accuracy of the defender's challenge meant any award would've been harsh.

Wolves did have some attacking runs, with some attacks well halted by Newcastle defending before Stefan Maeirhofer was unable to head an effort on target.

Andrew Surman was also unable to get an effort on target, but Newcastle still came closer when two late Shola Ameobi efforts were unable to find the target.

But Newcastle fans will be pleased to register yet another victory to their name, with the team going into the international break on the back of three straight victories. It will also stand them in good stead ahead of a tricky fixture at Manchester City in their next outing.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Ryan Taylor (Thygesen 75), Barton, Nolan (Ameobi 84), Jonas - Mandzukic, Carroll (Wilshere 60)
Subs not used: Krul, Steven Taylor, Edgar, Duff

Scorer: Bassong (8), Mandzukic (47, 68)

Wolves: Hennessey - Halford, Mancienne, Berra (Mouyokolo 54), Olsson - Kightly, Henry, Castillo (Ebanks-Blake 45), Milijas, Hunt (Surman 47) - Maeirhofer
Subs not used: Hanhemann, Zubar, Stearman, Heubach

Referee: Stuart Atwell
Attendance: 50,558

Newcastle striker Mario Mandzukic has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for August.

The Croatian striker won the award for his impressive performances for the Magpies in the opening month of the 2009-10 season. He scored four goals during the month and looked like a very smart investment for the club.

Mandzukic told nufc.co.uk: "It is a high honour to get this award. Obviously it'll take time to get used to life in a new country but I am happy with my start. I'm enjoying my football here in England playing for such passionate supporters, and I'm hopeful for more success throughout the season."

Mandzukic is a summer signing for Newcastle United. He joined the club for £4.5M from Dinamo Zagreb, and has so far started all of Newcastle's Premier League matches.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said: "I am obviously delighted. We knew we were signing a quality player in Mario, and we are only happy for him that he has started so well for us. We hope it can continue for as long as possible."

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill finished second, while Liverpool stalwart Steven Gerrard finished third.

Newcastle also had a player in contention for the Young Player of the Month award, with Andy Carroll finishing runner-up to Manchester City full back Micah Richards in the running.

Great start, have always enjoyed reading your stories and this is no different, keep it up!

Emmanuel Adebayor and Pablo Zabaleta were among the goals as Man City were able to beat Newcastle at the City of Manchester Stadium.

It wasn't a plain-sailing evening for City, who had taken the lead through Adebayor but conceded the advantage when Mario Mandzukic equalised on the stroke of half-time.

Jonas Gutierrez gave Newcastle a shock lead in the opening stages of the second half, but the home team regained parity within moments through Shaun Wright-Phillips.

A Sebastien Bassong own goal put City back in front before Pablo Zabaleta wrapped up the points for Mark Hughes' side.

With two home wins from two, big spending City knew their fans were expecting further points against a Newcastle team with only one point and two goals to their name since Man City's move to their current stadium in 2003.

The home team attempted to get the early opening when Stephen Ireland headed over and Adebayor was denied by a firm Harper save. But a quiet opening was livened up after 20 minutes when City took the lead.

Danny Simpson was able to clear a cross at the expense of a corner. The delivery from Ireland picked out Carlos Tevez, who cued up Adebayor to convert the opening goal.

Newcastle's first real chance was a wayward drive from Ryan Taylor, but City came close moments later when Adebayor rose high to meet Robinho's cross but couldn't find the target.

Adebayor was again denied - this time by Harper - and Newcastle's goalkeeper also made a good save to deny Tevez, as Man City searched for a second.

They came close again when Kolo Toure rose to meet Ireland's delivery but saw his effort touch the bar on the way out.

City did look as though they would enter the half time period ahead but against the run of play, the Magpies grabbed the equaliser with one of the last kicks of the first half.

An offside flag allowed Harper to take a long free-kick which bounced through for Mandzukic. The striker rose above the indecisive Wayne Bridge to head the ball beyond former Newcastle keeper Shay Given and into the net.

The August Player of the Month increased his burgeoning reputation with his fifth goal of the season, and within two minutes of the second half his team were celebrating again when they took the lead.

Jose Enrique picked up a loose ball down the left flank and was able to race clear of Wright-Phillips. He kept the ball in before cueing up Jonas, who was able to fire home from a tight angle.

It was a joyful scene for the visitors from the North East, but their joy was short lived as Man City grabbed a second goal of their own moments later.

A ball forward from ex-Citizen Joey Barton was picked off by Joleon Lescott who headed the ball out to Wright-Phillips. The winger raced away from Jose Enrique before letting fly from 25 yards. This proved to be the right decision as his strike flew from his foot into the top corner.

Although both sides felt they could then get the game's fifth goal, profligacy began to become a factor as Adebayor and Barton both missed seemingly takeable opportunities.

Newcastle were almost in for the goal on the 68th minute when Andy Carroll laid off a pass for Jonas, but despite being in acres of space the Argentine winger couldn't hit the target.

Man City almost made the Toon pay within an instant, with a superb Harper save deny Tevez's firm right foot hit. But City did get a goal moments later, albeit in more fortuitous circumstances.

Tevez was able to run out wide and evade his Argentine compatriot Fabricio Coloccini, before finding Bridge on the flank. The England full-back's deliver was met by Jose Enrique but his clearance hit the unfortunately placed Bassong and trundled into the empty goal.

Newcastle's best chance at an equaliser came moments from the end when Peter Lovenkrands saw a great volleyed effort rattle the crossbar, but it was City who ultimately wrapped up the destination of the points in injury time.

A firm interception from Nedum Onouha picked out Ireland, who was able to slide the ball across to Zabaleta. The Argentinean attempted a banana shot that duly flew home into the top corner, giving him a first goal since January and his team confirmation of the three points.

It was harsh on Newcastle, who contributed much to an entertaining afternoon's viewing, but ultimately City will feel vindicated to have earned themselves three points as they seek to justify their incredible financial outlay.

Man City: Given - Richards, Toure (Onuoha 60), Lescott, Bridge - Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Zabaleta (Jovetic 90), Tevez - Adebayor (Kompany 75), Robinho
Subs not used: Viera, Santana, Aimar, Bellamy
Booked: Ireland, Lescott

Scorer: Adebayor (20), Wright-Phillips (49), Bassong (og 74), Zabaleta (90)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Ryan Taylor (Duff 58), Barton, Nolan (Ameobi 77), Jonas (Lovenkrands 87) - Mandzukic, Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Steven Taylor, Edgar, Wilshere
Booked: Coloccini, Bassong

Scorer: Mandzukic (45), Jonas (47)

Referee: Steve Tanner
Attendance: 47,405

Thanks very much for your kind words.

I'm about 9/10 games behind in updates so more will be coming along, don't worry about it.

Newcastle United have confirmed Mike Ashley remains owner after a deal to buy the club collapsed.

It is thought board member and London-based businessman Michael Murray had agreed a deal to buy the club, which has a current estimated valued of £55M by football finance experts. It is believed part of the intended deal was to repay the club's reported £95M debts.

However, the deal for the club's ownership collapsed and the club have confirmed that Mike Ashley will remain owner of Newcastle United for the moment.

In a statement on the club's official website, Ashley said: "It is true that we had been in discussions to make the transaction. Mr. Murray was invited onto the club's board of directors and had been interested to complete the purchase.

"However, it appears that me and Mr. Murray were far apart on our valuation of the football club and as a result we were unable to conclude a deal that would have seen the club sold.

"Mr. Murray is free to remain on the Newcastle United board but I will remain owner at this time.

"I would like to thank the playing and coaching staff of the club for their patience during this period."

It is unknown whether or not Ashley is still interested in offloading the club but it is believed that he is still open for offers.

Ashley bought Newcastle United in 2007 for £134M from the club's previous owners Freddy Shepherd and Sir John Hall. He has been a controversial figure on Tyneside, with Ashley having attempted to sell the club in 2008 after a row between Dennis Wise and Kevin Keegan led to the then-manager resigning and fan protests.

Ashley has guaranteed financial resources for Newcastle this season but the businessman, who made his money through the SportsDirect chain, is said to be awaiting the right buyer.

Mario Mandzukic scored twice as Newcastle secured a rampant victory over Fulham at St. James' Park.

Two goals inside the opening ten minutes from the Croatian striker - taking his account up to seven for the season already - set the Magpies on their way to third home win of the campaign.

Andy Carroll scored inside the opening 12 minutes to secure a miserable beginning for the Cottagers, and summer transfer target Damien Duff then made things worse for them when he sealed victory in 50 minutes.

Bobby Zamora secured some pride for Fulham late on but it was a poor afternoon for the Londoners, who followed up their fantastic 2-2 draw with Lazio on Thursday night with a horror show in the North East.

There had been speculation as to whether or not Fulham would suffer a European hangover following their heroics against the Italian giants earlier in the week, and Roy Hodgson's hopes of defying this were not helped when they conceded the opening goal inside four minutes.

Newcastle were given a free-kick when Danny Murphy tripped Kevin Nolan. Steve Harper's long punt down the pitch picked out Mandzukic, who beat ex-Magpie Aaron Hughes to the ball and headed it beyond Pascal Zuberbuhler to open the scoring.

Things then got worse for Fulham when Newcastle scored again soon afterwards.

Danny Simpson picked up possession of the ball and hit the ball inside to Joey Barton, who was able to lash a firm through ball up top to Mandzukic. The Croatian ran clear of Hughes before firing a firm right-footed effort past the Fulham goalkeeper for 2-0.

Zuberbuhler was swiftly required inside eleven minutes when he was able to push Kevin Nolan's firm free-kick onto the crossbar and out of play, but he was beaten for a third time moments later.

A pacy run down the right flank from Simpson then saw him pick out Mikkel Thygesen, who switched play inside to Mandzukic. This time, the highly rated Newcastle striker turned provider, with his excellent pass picking out Carroll. The Geordie striker was able to firmly strike his effort into the back of the net as Newcastle began to run riot.

Fulham felt they should have had a way back into the contest when Andy Johnson turned home Erik Nevland's through ball but unfortunately for the striker, the offside flag was raised.

Nevertheless, the visitors began attempts to restore some pride in the contest with Harper making a firm save to deny Diomansy Kamara.

Fulham did curate a number of opportunities to try and test the Newcastle defenders but struggled to find efforts on target.

Their best was blasted high and wide by Kamara, while at the other end a similarly placed effort from Duff was Newcastle's best chance to a fourth.

Nevland and Murphy were both unable to find the target as Fulham began to look more likely to find the game's next goal, but they struggled to find attacking momentum.

Newcastle then made a painful afternoon for Fulham worse five minutes into the second half. A firm through ball from Nolan was collected by Carroll, and the striker was able to cue up Duff. The Irish winger - only playing due to an injury to Jonas Gutierrez - was able to deploy a firm drive into the bottom corner.

It was almost five for the jubilant Geordie faithful when Carroll rose like a salmon to meet Thygesen's cross but his finish lacked accuracy.

The arrival of Zamora from the subs bench allowed Fulham to attack a bit more, with the striker seeing an effort held by Harper moments before the Newcastle goalkeeper had to save Kamara's strike.

Nevertheless, Fulham were still in danger on the back foot, with Zuberbuhler having to make a brilliant save to deny Jack Wilshere's firm half-volley.

But Fulham were able to get one goal back late one. They struck when a long ball from Paul Konchesky was flicked on by Zamora to Johnson. The former Everton striker laid it back off for Zamora, who controlled and then finished the strike into the goal.

Mandzukic wasted two late chance's to restore Newcastle's four goal cushion, but ultimately it didn't matter as the Magpies were able to register a firm victory that keeps up their fine home start to the campaign. In a week where the club have confirmed their board takeover attempts failed, the club showed the uncertainty has not affected their on-pitch form.

In contrast, Fulham's good start in Europe was immediately counteracted by a poor league showing and Hodgson will hope this is not a recurring trend for their campaign in the Europa League.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique (Steven Taylor 79) - Thygesen (Wilshere 63), Barton, Nolan, Duff - Mandzukic, Carroll (Guthrie 76)
Subs not used: Krul, Edgar, Lovenkrands, Ameobi
Booked: Coloccini, Wilshere

Scorer: Mandzukic (4, 9), Carroll (12), Duff (50)

Fulham: Zuberbuhler - Kelly (Pantsil 45), Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky - Gera, Murphy, Etuhu (Greening 45), Kamara - Nevland (Zamora 56), Johnson
Subs not used: Bettinelli, Baird, Stoor, Kallio
Booked: Murphy, Etuhu, Pantsil

Scorer: Zamora (76)

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 52,090

Enjoying this.

Nice story mate! What version of FM are you using for this? Aswell as DB?

Thanks. There'll be more coming up.

Thanks.

I'm using the default database of FM10 (patched the game but still using default), but with a modified file that swapped round Newcastle and Hull and changed around a few deals that had happened. Obviously, Hull wouldn't have been able to afford a number of the players they bought after relegation so those deals had to be cancelled.

Shola Ameobi scored the only goal as Newcastle beat Middlesbrough to progress in the Carling Cup.

Newcastle's veteran striker scored in first half injury time to ensure that the Magpies held off the challenge of their Teeside opponents and secured passage to Round Four, where they will take on Liverpool at Anfield.

Sven-Goran Eriksson will be pleased at his side's progression, and will be mightily relieved Middlesbrough's shooting was wildly inaccurate in an even game.

The Teesiders' last visit to Newcastle in May this year proved a pivotal game in both side's 2008-09 campaigns, with a 3-1 comeback win for the Tynesiders ultimately helping them stay up and Middlesbrough go down.

Middlesbrough almost had a chance for early payback when Marvin Emnes ran clean through but his poor shot went off target.

Newcastle's first chance saw a poor Danny Guthrie strike held by Brad Jones but the home side thought they had taken the lead after six minutes when Ameobi raced onto Alan Smith's throughball, rounded the keeper and scored.

Unfortunately for the striker and his club's fans, Ameobi had strayed offside in his eagerness to reach the pass.

Undeterred, Newcastle began to pile on the pressure, with a superb double save from Jones seeing him push away an Ameobi strike and a seemingly goalbound Ryan Taylor rebound.

The visitors did try to create stuff, but found a stubborn Newcastle defence hard to crack, with Leroy Lita seeing a run on goal denied by Steven Taylor's saving challenge and the same defender turned away Adam Johnson's cross.

Julio Arca came closer when his drive just skimmed the top of Steve Harper's goal, before Middlesbrough keeper Jones was again called into action as he denied Peter Lovenkrands.

Jones was also needed to turn away a Lovenkrands drive after the Dane had been teed up by Ameobi, while David Edgar could only head over when picked out by Damien Duff's corner.

Duff also came close when he was picked out by Ryan Taylor but fired wide.

Newcastle suffered an injury blow on the half-hour when on loan full back Danny Simpson had to leave the field injured. This saw Eriksson instigate a reshuffle, with Joey Barton introduced to play alongside Smith in midfield. This meant Ryan Taylor went to right back and Guthrie was moved to right wing.

Middlesbrough did force a few corners while the home side were adjusting to their new formation, but it was their goalkeeper who had to make the save, with Jones denying the newly-arrived Barton.

The game's opening goal came with one of the final kicks of the half. Ryan Taylor picked up the ball in his own half and laid off a simple pass for Smith, who fired a direct ball up to Ameobi. The striker ran clear of Emmanuel Pogatez before firing curtly into the top corner.

It was Ameobi's first goal since scoring against Sunderland on February 1st and is a perfect reminder of his talents at a time Eriksson has predominantly used him as a substitute.

Middlesbrough thought they should have had a penalty five minutes after half-time but referee Kevin Friend ruled Sebastien Bassong's challenge legal, before Emnes couldn't direct the ball goalward after being played through by Didier Digard.

This was his last act before substituted, but with only defenders on the bench, it left Lita as the only striker still on the pitch for Gareth Southgate's side.

Newcastle almost put the game to bed moments later when they won a free-kick but Ryan Taylor couldn't make the most of his effort.

Middlesbrough came close with two efforts of their own. However, Lita and sub Johnathan Franks couldn't direct strikes on target.

A similar problem befell Gary O'Neill, with the winger doing well to rise above Duff to meet Arca's delivery only to head a strike well over the top of the goal.

The visitors could only offer wayward efforts in their attempts to get back into the action, and as a result they crash out of the tournament in round four. They now look to focus on bouncing back up to the Premier League.

In contrast, another home win for Newcastle keeps up a good start to the campaign and they will now hope to follow it up with their first away win of the season when they travel to Bolton on Monday night.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson (Barton 30), Steven Taylor, Edgar, Bassong - Ryan Taylor, Smith, Guthrie (Kadar 90), Duff (Wilshere 84) - Ameobi, Lovenkrands
Subs not used: Krul, Coloccini, Mandzukic, Carroll

Scorer: Ameobi (45+3)

Middlesbrough: Jones - Hoyte (Taylor 45), St. Ledger, Wheater, Pogatez - O'Neil, Digard, Arca, Johnson (Shawky 45) - Emnes (Franks 56), Lita
Subs not used: Coyne, Riggott, Grounds, Williams

Referee: Kevin Friend
Attendance: 52,387

Brilliant stuff this, so different.

Kevin Davies scored a 93rd minute winner to give Bolton a dramatic late win over Newcastle at the Reebok Stadium.

Newcastle had looked to have grabbed themselves a late equaliser, after Sebastien Bassong scored with 90 minutes on the clock to cancel out Danny Shittu's opener.

But Davies struck at the death to stun the visitors from Tyneside and send Gary Megson's team into raptures.

It had been a tight game from the off, with Joey Barton and Fabricio Coloccini both earning early yellow cards for offences that may have received red ones under different referees.

With this the fifth yellow card of the season for Coloccini, the Argentine defender will miss Newcastle's next league game against Birmingham City on Saturday.

Despite this, Newcastle almost took the lead on ten minutes. Mikkel Thygesen's ball infield was flicked on by Kevin Nolan to Andy Carroll, who raced past Andy O'Brien and forced a firm save from Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The game then quickly descended into niggly farce, with neither side looking remotely like scoring or even creating chances.

The nearest Bolton got to finding the opening goal came through Sean Davis when the midfielder saw a free-kick deflected wide, although this was more than Newcastle managed to muster.

Bolton then picked up a blow when full back Gretar Steinsson had to leave the field injured before half-time, after the Icelandic international had come off worse from a challenge with Jonas Gutierrez.

The Trotters managed their first shot on target moments after half-time when a long cross from the back by Paul Robinson picked out Davies, who headed straight at Steve Harper.

Jaaskelainen was then called into action, with the Finnish goalkeeper required to make a decent save to deny Jonas' fizzing effort.

A poor Gavin McCann effort was the nearest Bolton came in the moments after but they came much closer on 67 minutes when Muamba intercepted Harper's poor clearance and found Davies. The striker hit a sweet effort on the volley that crashed against the bar on its way out.

The game then began to heat up, with Davies beating Bassong to Ricardo Gardner's effort but heading wide, while at the other end a fine Jaaskelainen save saw him deny Mario Mandzukic a seemingly certain goal.

Bolton then took the lead with 15 minutes to go. An initial attack was cleared for a throw-in that Gardner took. Robinson returned the ball to the Jamaican wide midfielder, whose cross picked out Shittu. The defender rose high in the penalty box to find the back of the net.

Newcastle felt they should have had an immediate penalty for a tackle by Shittu on Mandzukic that felled the Croatian striker but the referee ignored the appeals as the Toon tried to chase a point.

But Bolton almost secured three points when Jose Enrique tripped Sam Ricketts and Davis' firm free-kick smacked the base of the posts.

With 90 minutes on the clock, Newcastle then stunned the Reebok Stadium with an equaliser.

Peter Lovenkrands' corner was only half-cleared to Carroll, who hit a fine volley that Jaaskelainen could only parry to Bassong, and the defender couldn't miss.

Newcastle felt they had their share of the points but there was a late sting in the tale for the travelling Geordies as Bolton struck back in the 93rd minute.

The Trotters won the game with a goal as simple as it was decisive. McCann picked up the ball in the middle of the pack and hit out wide for Ricketts, who ran down the flank before sending in the cross. Up jumped Davies, who rose above Coloccini to bury the header and win the game.

It continued a decent start to the new campaign for Bolton, with Megson's side now unbeaten in five league games and staying above Newcastle in the Premier League table. By contrast, it was frustration for the Magpies, who are yet to win away from home this season, although they will take solace in the fact they now have three consecutive home games.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen - Steinsson (Hunt 40), O'Brien, Knight (Shittu 69), Robinson - Lee Chung-Yong (Ricketts 69), McCann, Davis, Muamba, Gardner - Davies
Subs not used: Al-habsi, Samuel, Taylor, Elmander
Booked: Muamba

Scorer: Shittu (75), Davies (90+3)

Newcastle: Harper - Ryan Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Thygesen (Duff 76), Barton, Nolan (Ameobi 82), Jonas (Lovenkrands 76) - Mandzukic, Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Steven Taylor, Edgar, Smith
Booked: Ryan Taylor, Coloccini, Barton

Scorer: Bassong (90)

Referee: Mike Jones
Attendance: 26,986

Thanks very much

Sebastien Larsson scored a fantastic free-kick as Birmingham held Newcastle collect only their second point of the season.

It could have been even better for the Blues, as the Swedish midfielder's early strike had put the visitors ahead at St. James' Park.

Mikkel Thygesen's first Newcastle goal bought the Toon Army level, but Birmingham held out and return to the West Midlands with a share of the points.

The result also ends Newcastle's 100% winning start at St. James' Park in all competitions, after the club had won their first three Premier League games and two Carling Cup ties on home soil at the start of the 2009/10 campaign.

Birmingham gave hint they picked this fixture to end their winless start to the new season, with Steve Harper making a fine early stop to deny Larsson, before the visitors took the lead after just seven minutes.

Referee Kevin Friend awarded a free-kick 35 yards from goal after Larsson's run was illegally halted by Sebastien Bassong. The Swedish midfielder opted to go direct and it was an approach that paid off in superb style as the ball flew into the top corner, giving Birmingham the lead at St. James' Park.

The visitors then got very close to making it two, with former Magpie Lee Bowyer evading Jose Enrique and forcing a flying stop out of Harper, while Larsson was unable to get on target with an angled free-kick.

Newcastle were then close with two efforts of their own. First, Jonas Gutierrez picked up Andy Carroll's lay-off and saw a fine stop denied by Joe Hart, before the loan signing from Manchester City was also on hand to deny Mario Mandzukic.

The Magpies still had chances, with Joey Barton firing one into the Leazes End before Mandzukic did superbly well to reach Jonas' cross but didn't do quite so good with keeping his strike.

The Toon then had a great chance on 28 minutes, with a swift counter-attack seeing a long run from Carroll followed up by a shot that Hart saved, and the keeper also denied Mandzukic's rebound.

Mandzukic was having a frustrating afternoon, with the Croatian firing waywardly off target when well placed.

Birmingham then began to reduce the pace from the game, with the Blues becoming content to frustrate Newcastle's attacking attempts.

This led to a half-time chance, with Damien Duff introduced for the largely unnoticed Kevin Nolan and Thygesen pushed from right midfield to a role behind the two strikers.

Mandzukic duly wasted another effort before Birmingham got even closer, with Harper having to make the save to deny Christian Benitez.

But it was the home team who scored the game's second goal, and like the first it was an impressive hit. Jose Enrique intercepted Roger Johnson's clearance and opted to lay the ball for Thygesen. The Dane drew out from Liam Ridgewell before running back towards goal and hitting a brilliant strike beyond Hart.

It was the midfielder's first goal for the club since his summer move from FC Midtjylland, and one to help silence his critics.

But while one Newcastle summer signing was on the scoresheet, another was wasting his chances to join him. Once again, Mandzukic got into a great position and once again he wasted it on an off day for the Croatian.

Birmingham almost re-took the lead in similar circumstances to the way they grabbed their opener, but Larsson was unable to reproduce the magic he conjured earlier on in the afternoon.

Hart was then required to keep the scores level, with the highly rated keeper making a routine stop to deny Mandzukic.

The Blues were then able to keep Newcastle's attacking threat to a minimum, with the only chance of the last ten minutes a glorious one to give the Blues' their first win since returning to the Premier League in May.

Unfortunately for them, Liam Ridgewell missed it and Birmingham left with a share of the points.

They will nevertheless feel pleased with that, with the team earning one more point then many fans and pundits had expected them against a team that had started the day with a 100% home win record, and will hope that can kick-start their season.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Thygesen, Barton, Nolan (Duff 45), Jonas - Mandzukic (Ameobi 76), Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Edgar, Ryan Taylor, Smith, Wilshere

Scorer: Thygesen (50)

Birmingham: Hart - Carr, Roger Johnson, Ridgewell, Quedrue - Larsson, Tainio, Ferguson (Damien Johnson 88), McFadden (Vignal 72) - Bowyer - Benitez (Phillips 88)
Subs not used: Taylor, Espinoza, Dann, O'Shea

Scorer: Larsson (7)

Referee: Kevin Friend
Attendance: 43,805

Just endorsed this story on the Susie twitter page, KEEP IT UP NUMBER 1

... Sort It Out Si has a Twitter page?

I mean, thanks. That's pretty cool

Ryan Taylor scored the only goal as Newcastle secured victory over ten man Arsenal at St. James' Park.

The January signing from Wigan scored his first goal for the club near the end of the first half, which ensured Newcastle returned to winning ways on home turf after being held by Birmingham in their last home game.

By contrast, it was another frustrating afternoon for Arsenal that saw the pressure increase on Arsene Wenger. Their misery was compounded in second half injury time when defender Phillipe Senderos was sent off.

It's been a tricky season for the Gunners, with Arsenal being beaten by Stuttgart in the Champions League play-off as well as disappointing away results at Spurs, Liverpool, Stoke and Sunderland.

They had been hopeful of a result against a Newcastle team missing the injured Sebastien Bassong and Peter Lovenkrands, and the ineligible Jack Wilshere, but it was the hosts with the stronger start.

Newcastle's first chance saw Andy Carroll rise to meet Jonas' cross but couldn't get a strike on target, while Manuel Almunia made an early save to deny Mario Mandzukic.

A quiet first half saw the home team have the better of the contest, with Newcastle looking the likelier to get on the scoresheet.

They came closer still after 20 minutes when Mandzukic was played through but saw his effort denied by Almunia.

Arsenal's first real opportunity came after 23 minutes when they tried to break through the middle but Eduardo couldn't get his trike from the edge of the area on target.

It was Newcastle who came closer to the opener, with Kevin Nolan seeing one effort pushed wide by Almunia moments before the Arsenal goalkeeper was on hand to make an even better save to deny Ryan Taylor.

Steve Harper was forced into a save for the first time moments later, but it was a vital one as the Newcastle keeper made a fine save to deny Eduardo when he met Andrey Arshavin's cross.

The game had looked to be entering the break goalless but just before first half injury time it was Newcastle who swept into the lead.

Smooth passing between Newcastle defenders and midfielders eventually saw the ball fall for Fabricio Coloccini, who cued up Joey Barton. Barton was able to stick the ball out to Ryan Taylor. Most the crowd was expecting the Newcastle wide player to run, but Ryan Taylor instead opted to strike, and it was a great decision as the strike flew from his boot into the top corner.

The midfielder, who scored four times for Wigan against Newcastle before moving to Tyneside, was delighted with his first goal for the North East club.

The travelling supporters were hoping for their heroes to respond, but it was Newcastle who resumed to having the better of the play.

The Toon had come close from corners, with Coloccini and Mandzukic both seeing efforts rise over the bar into the crowd, before the goalscorer came close again. Ryan Taylor picked up Mandzukic's lay-off and tried to fire the volley, which was pushed well clear by the Arsenal goalkeeper.

Arguably Arsenal's best chance came moments later, when Abou Diaby picked up the ball on the edge of the area and had a crack. His powerful drive beat Harper but rattled the bar and tumbled into touch.

Diaby duly tried again moments later, but the midfielder was this time unable to find the target.

Arsenal had begun to see more of the ball as they tried to hunt down an equalising strike but Newcastle's defending was largely robust to their attacks.

The Gunners did come close again when a well-weighted ball perfectly picked out Andrey Arshavin, but this time the Russian couldn't find the target.

As the game arrived into the closing stages, Arsenal continue their profligacy. Diaby saw an attempt at the spectacular go over the bar, while substitutes Jakub Blaszczykowski and Tomas Rosicky were both unable to find the target.

Arsenal's woes were then compounded in second half injury time, when Senderos - on a yellow card since a fourth minute foul on Carroll - was pulled back for tripping up Newcastle replacement Shola Ameobi. This duly led to the Swiss international's dismissal.

The game ended after that and an uncomfortable time of football for the Gunners continued with a miserable defeat where their regular failure to trouble Newcastle's goalkeeper ultimately proved dear.

But little could detract from an impressive Newcastle performance, who looked impressive in their performance and saw them claim an impressive victory against top class organisation.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique - Ryan Taylor, Barton, Nolan (Thygesen 86), Jonas - Mandzukic (Ameobi 89), Carroll (Guthrie 84)
Subs not used: Krul, Edgar, Kadar, Duff
Booked: Steven Taylor, Carroll

Scorer: Ryan Taylor (45)

Arsenal: Almunia - Sagna, Senderos, Gallas, Clichy - Diaby, Song, Denilson (Rosicky 79) - Nasri (Blaszczykowski 51), Eduardo, Arshavin (Vela 79)
Subs not used: Fabianski, de Cler, Sunu, Murphy
Booked: Clichy, Senderos
Sent Off: Senderos (90+3)

Referee: Andre Marriner
Attendance: 50,128

Andy Carroll scored a late equaliser as ten man Newcastle salvaged a late point at home to West Ham.

It had looked as though Newcastle's unbeaten home start would be ended by the Hammers, who led through a goal in first half injury time from Guillermo Franco.

Joey Barton was sent off during the second half to make things bleak for Newcastle, but a late strike by Carroll ensured that the Magpies would be going home with a share of the points.

It was the second time in 2009 Carroll denied West Ham victory on Tyneside late on, after the young striker scored a late equaliser when the two teams met in January.

West Ham arrived with a plan to try and take on the home side, and they almost grabbed the early goal when Danny Gabbidon intercepted Danny Guthrie's poor clearance but could only fire a strike that was held by Steve Harper.

Ryan Taylor was the hero for Newcastle against West Ham the week before and had his team's first chance when the midfielder tried his luck but could only find the stand behind the goal.

The best chances of a surprisingly quiet first half also fell to Ryan Taylor, but his first effort went off target after a surging run and his second strike when he aimed for the top corner but only found the stand behind the goal.

West Ham were doing well to frustrate the home side's attacking initiative, with the North East team struggling to create much in the way of chances in a well-thought contest.

Yet for all the Hammers good defensive strategy, it looked to have come undone on the stroke of half-time when Jonas Gutierrez dived in to turn Ryan Taylor's cross into the goal. Sadly for the home team's supporters, Jonas was - controversially - ruled offside.

Newcastle then missed the chance to equalise when Rob Green made a fine save to deny Mario Mandzukic, before West Ham then happily rubbed further salt into the Newcastle fan's wounds with the opening goal.

It was a messy strike, which followed a goalmouth scramble after Matthew Upson's header from Luis Jimenez's corner hit the post. Steven Taylor failed to clear properly and a bounce around ball eventually saw Scott Parker find Franco, whose strike trickled in with a final touch off Danny Simpson.

Franco scored his third goal in four games and is proving signs he is beginning to settle in England after signing for West Ham from Villarreal.

Moments after half-time, West Ham almost grabbed a second strike when Franco evaded Steven Taylor and saw a firm strike tipped away by the goalkeeper.

Newcastle didn't learn their lesson and within consecutive attacks, West Ham came through again when Carlton Cole intercepted Ryan Taylor's poor clearance and saw a strike that was denied by Harper.

The Toon almost equalised moments later when a counter attack saw Carroll run through only to be denied by Green.

West Ham then began to dig in and prevent Newcastle the freedom from attacking their goal. Their task was then aided when the home team were reduced to ten men.

Barton, who had been booked in the first half, was penalised by Lee Mason for a niggly foul on Franco, and was duly sent off.

Newcastle opted to re-dress their team, with Jonas moving into a left wing-back role and substitute David Edgar pushed into a holding midfielder role. This style seemed to work as, with seven minutes to go, Newcastle found an equalising goal.

West Ham had dealt with Jonas' initial cross but the ball was picked up by Danny Simpson, who advanced before sending in a second cross. The second ball in was perfect for Carroll, who rose in ahead of Jack Collison and powered his header beyond Green.

It was a firm header from the giant striker, who was delighted with his impact.

Stung by the concession of their long-held lead, West Ham tried to break for a second goal of their own. However, they were unable to find the target when substitute Julian Faubert could only hit a poor effort into the crowd.

Closer to a winner with the last kick was Carroll, who was picked out by Edgar and saw a slick strike bounce off the post and out.

It was almost a perfect end to the game for Newcastle, but they will be relieved to avoid defeat against a firm and disciplined West Ham outfit. Gianfranco Zola will have particularly been impressed at the way his team played, even if they will be deflated by their late concession.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Edgar 72) - Ryan Taylor (Thygesen 57), Barton, Guthrie (Nolan 87), Jonas - Mandzukic, Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Kadar, Duff, Ameobi
Booked: Ryan Taylor, Barton
Sent Off: Barton (71)

Scorer: Carroll (83)

West Ham: Green - Spector, Gabbidon, Upson, Ilunga - Behrami (Faubert 71), Luis Jimenez (Dyer 77), Parker, Collison - Diamanti (Cole 45), Franco
Subs not used: Stech, Ball, Tomkins, Kovac
Booked: Collison

Scorer: Franco (45+3)

Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 52,387

@sortitoutsi

Very good.

Fernando Torres scored a 95th minute penalty to help Liverpool beat Newcastle as the club reached the Carling Cup Quarter Finals.

The game had looked set to progress to extra-time, with Yossi Benayoun's early goal cancelled out by a strike from Newcastle sub Mario Mandzukic.

Both teams had missed opportunities to win the game and it had looked to be going for an additional 30 minutes when a penalty was awarded for handball by Sebastien Bassong and Torres scored the penalty.

It was tough luck on Sven-Goran Eriksson's visitors, who felt they had given a good account of themselves against a Liverpool team among the favourites to the win the tournament and who had picked a strong team.

Newcastle, by contrast, opted to rest a number of players and almost fell behind with a minute when Torres fired a crisp strike that was denied by Steve Harper, and the Spanish striker headed over from the resulting corner.

Liverpool took the lead after 13 minutes. Andrea Dossena was able to run down the flank before passing it to young midfielder Damien Plessis, who sent the ball across to Steven Gerrard. The talisman of Anfield was able to see the space and cue up Benayoun, who hit a powerful effort into the net.

A quiet first half then saw neither team make any serious inroads towards getting on the scoresheet, with Plessis and Gerrard seeing strikes deflected away just shy on the half hour with their first attempts since the opening goal.

Newcastle's first chance, by contrast, was a fairly poor one, with Alan Smith heading Kazenga LuaLua's delivery straight at Pepe Reina.

The Tynesiders did try to score in the moments before half-time, but Kevin Nolan had one effort deflected wide and LuaLua couldn't find the target.

Neither side was too happy with some of their players in the first half, with both Rafa Benitez and Eriksson making double substitutions at half-time.

It was Liverpool who had the first real chance of the second half, but Gerrard could only fire the ball into the Kop.

Gerrard had a later effort denied by Harper, but Newcastle did manage to force some saves out of Reina.

His first save was a fairly routine one to deny Damien Duff, but he was needed to make a pair of urgent stops to deny Nolan's fierce drive and then Mandzukic's follow-up.

But Reina was beaten on 65 minutes, to the delight of the Newcastle supporters filling the goal behind him.

Duff intercepted a poor throw-in and a passing move eventually saw the ball returned to the Irish winger by Tamas Kadar. Duff's first time ball picked out Mandzukic, who ran clear of Martin Skrtel before firing a crisp strike into the bottom corner.

Javier Mascherano led vociferous protests that the Croatian striker had been offside, and they were further annoyed when they felt Bassong's challenge in the area should've been a penalty.

A fairly routine save was required out of Harper to deny Skrtel's header from a corner, before his centre-back partner Jamie Carragher did well to get ahead of Bassong but couldn't fire his strike on target.

Liverpool looked closer to getting the decisive goal in the contest with Gerrard firing over and Harper making a good save to deny Albert Riera's angled drive.

Newcastle weren't always on the back foot though, with Reina needing to make a vital stop from Nolan's long range drive.

Harper was then needed again to deny Riera's free-kick, but to the shock of the away supporters, they would be conceding moments later with the final goal of the contest.

The ball was worked out wide to Riera, who aimed in a cross towards the Liverpool strikers. The referee ruled that, in and amidst this, Bassong deflected the ball away with his hand and awarded a penalty.

Angry Newcastle protests were duly ignored, and Torres stepped up to win the game with his spot kick.

It was harsh on the Toon Army, who gave a good account of themselves, while Liverpool will be happy to progress and they now await Manchester City in the Quarter Finals.

Liverpool: Reina - Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Dossena (Agger 45) - Plessis (Kuyt 66), Mascherano - Voronion (Riera 45), Gerrard, Benayoun - Torres
Subs not used: Cavalieri, Lucas, Aquilani, Sneijder

Scorer: Benayoun (13), Torres (90+5)

Newcastle: Harper - Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Kadar - LuaLua (Thygesen 45), Smith, Wilshere, Duff - Nolan - Ameobi (Mandzukic 45)
Subs not used: Krul, Coloccini, Edgar, Guthrie, Jonas
Booked: Steven Taylor, Bassong, Smith

Scorer: Mandzukic (65)

Referee: Alan Wiley
Attendance: 45,362

Joseph Yobo scored the only goal as Everton beat Newcastle at Goodison Park.

The Nigerian defender scored the only goal of the game 13 minutes before half-time, which extended Everton's unbeaten run to nine in all competitions and keeps the Toffees 3rd in the table.

It also means Everton are the first team to deny Newcastle a goal in a competitive fixtures this season, and rubs in a double dose of Merseyside misery for the North East side after they were beaten by Liverpool in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.

The Tyneside club were poor throughout, and their evening was not helped when Shola Ameobi had to substituted following an injury just four minutes after appearing from the bench.

Newcastle were on the back foot from the off. Steve Harper had to make an early stop to deny Tim Cahill when the Australian met a rising cross, and the goalkeeper then had to make a very good save when Steven Piennar snuck in on Jose Enrique's blind side to meet Javier Garrido's delivery.

Pienaar had another attempt when he met Leighton Baines' delivery but his attempt to strike it was fairly poor.

Yobo was also unable to head the ball on target as the game descended into a fairly poor affair all round, with both teams unable to find a way to trouble the scoresheet.

Everton did try one attempt later and it was very close, with a firm cross picking out Yakubu and the giant Nigerian was denied by a brilliant save from Harper.

But there was nothing Harper could do from the resulting corner, with Baines' delivery picking out Yobo. The man up from the back rose above Fabricio Coloccini to bury his header into the corner, and score his third goal of the season.

If Newcastle had thought they would get back into proceedings, they were disappointed as Everton continued to look most likely to score. Marouane Fellaini had a daisy cutter deflected wide and former Magpie Sylvain Distin headed straight at Harper from a corner.

Although Everton lost Pienaar, they still continued to attack with Yakubu seeing a powerful effort fly over.

The first real attack of note by the Magpies came five minutes after half-time when Andy Carroll laid the ball of for Mario Mandzukic, who struck a powerful effort that was saved by Tim Howard.

Both sides' games were thrown by a series of niggly injuries, with Sebastien Bassong, Danny Simpson and Phil Neville all receiving treatment for knocks.

It was Everton who had the best of the chances after that, with Harper making a flying to stop to push away Yakubu's effort before he made a simple stop to deny Lucas Neill.

Newcastle had made a chance when they bought on Ameobi for Kevin Nolan, but they had to re-amend their game plan within four minutes as the striker limped off the field with what the team physios are reporting as a dead leg.

Despite this, Newcastle then came very close to an equaliser when Mandzukic's deep cross picked out Jonas Gutierrez, only for the Argentine winger to head into the crowd.

The game had been set for a grandstand finish but Newcastle showed very little in way of attacking spirit or imagination, and Howard and his team were barely troubled in the final quarter of an hour.

In the end, they were put out of their misery with the final whistle moments later and while Everton will be toasting the continuation of their impressive start, Newcastle return to the North East underwhelmed following a double dose of Merseyside misery.

Everton: Howard - Neill, Yobo, Distin, Garrido - Pienaar (Heitinga 44), Neville, Fellaini, Baines - Cahill - Yakubu
Subs not used: Nash, Hibbert, Rodwell, Tom, Slory, Jo

Scorer: Yobo (32)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Duff (Ryan Taylor 45), Edgar, Nolan (Ameobi 65 (Thygesen 69), Jonas - Mandzukic, Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Steven Taylor, Barton, Wilshere
Booked: Bassong

Referee: Kevin Friend
Attendance: 40,158

Morten Gamst Pedersen scored an 80th minute equaliser to deny ten man Newcastle a first away win of the season.

Sebastien Bassong scored the opening goal midway through the first half and looked to have got Newcastle on their way to three points.

But their plans were derailed when Fabricio Coloccini was sent off midway through the second half for two yellow cards, and Gamst Pedersen was eventually able to produce a share of the points for Sam Allardyce against his former club.

However, Blackburn were unable to do enough to get their first home win of the new season and their hope will carry in a season that is increasingly looking like a battle to stay in the Premier League.

It was a niggly start to the affair, with Newcastle bringing back the combative Alan Smith for his first start since the opening day alongside the similarly combative Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan with the seemingly intent purpose of ensuring Blackburn didn't have a physical advantage.

The arrival of Smith duly came with a yellow card, with the former Leeds and Manchester United midfielder shown the game's first yellow card for needlessly pulling back Steven N'Zonzi.

Newcastle had the game's first real opportunity with a long ball from Coloccini finding Jonas Gutierrez, who went on a magnificent mazy run but his low drive went narrowly off target.

Blackburn's first chance fell to Dunn, who was able to evade the marking of Smith but his effort was wayward.

When the first goal, it fell to the Magpies, who were clad in their infamous yellow striped kit.

A clearance from an initial cross fell to Benni McCarthy, who was careless in possession and was picked off by Nolan. The ball fell to Bassong, who decided to go for the solo run. It was a good call as he ran free of the entire Blackburn defence before firing an acute effort beyond Paul Robinson.

Having already scored up the road at Bolton this season, it was a fine strike for the young French defender who is enjoying an impressive reputation at St. James' Park.

Newcastle almost made it two moments later when Mario Mandzukic saw a powerful effort deflected wide off a Blackburn defender, while the home team's best opportunity fell to Brett Emerton only for the Australian to see his effort trickle past the wrong side of the post.

Emerton came closer with three minutes to go before half when he was picked out by Dunn and his firm strike was pushed away by Harper.

Harper was then required again shortly after half-time when Gamst Pedersen was picked out by Chimbonda and the Norweigan winger's header was tipped out for a corner by the Newcastle goalkeeper.

Newcastle almost had a goal of their own moments later when Nolan was set away by Barton and raced clear only to be denied by a good save from Robinson.

Ryan Nelsen hit one off target but his fellow Blackburn centre half came closer, with Christopher Samba meeting Emerton's cross and forcing the save from Harper.

Newcastle's afternoon then became a harder ask when they were reduced to ten men moments later. Coloccini had already been treading on eggshells after the Argentine defender had hauled down McCarthy during the first half, and when he tripped up Blackburn sub Jason Roberts the referee was left with only one option.

The sending off constituted a reshuffle for Newcastle, with Steven Taylor bought on to partner Bassong in the centre of defence.

Having been involved in the sending off incident, Roberts almost caused further pain for the Magpies when the striker met Gael Givet's cross but his woeful header went wide.

With time beginning to run out and Blackburn looking unable of scoring, Newcastle almost wrapped up the points with ten minutes to go when Mario Mandzukic was denied by a firm save from Robinson.

But ten minutes from the end, the game's second goal yielded an equaliser for Rovers.

Lars Jacobsen intercepted a clearance, and fed it to Keith Andrews, who flicked it on for Roberts. The substitute sprayed the ball out wide into the path of Emerton, whose first time delivery was headed into the back of the net by Gamst Pedersen.

It was a second goal in three for the Norweigan after his winning goal at Fulham a few weeks ago, and despite protests that he was offside, the goal stood and Blackburn had a platform to hunt down that elusive first home win.

But despite this, it was Newcastle who almost managed the winner only for substitute Ryan Taylor to spray his free-kick into the crowd.

Harper was then able to make a straight-forward save to deny a firm effort from Andrews, while Jonas was able to head away a deep cross before it could reach Rovers sub El-Hadji Diouf.

But in the end, the two teams shared the points and neither side could break their respective ducks in a scrappy yet absorbing encounter.

Blackburn: Robinson - Chimbonda (Jacobsen 62), Samba, Nelsen, Givet - Emerton, Andrews, N'Zonzi (Roberts 45), Gamst Pedersen - Dunn - McCarthy (Diouf 73)
Subs not used: Brown, van Heerden, Hoilett, Ketelear
Booked: Givet, Samba, Dunn

Scorer: Gamst Pedersen (80)

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Thygesen (Steven Taylor 62), Smith (Carroll 88), Barton, Jonas - Nolan (Ryan Taylor 77) - Mandzukic
Subs not used: Krul, Guthrie, Wilshere, Duff
Booked: Steven Taylor, Bassong, Smith
Sent Off: Coloccini (62)

Scorer: Bassong (26)

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 23,824

Mario Mandzukic scored as Newcastle beat Portsmouth to secure their first win in five games.

The Croatian striker scored midway through the second half to secure victory for Sven-Goran Eriksson's side, who haven't tasted success since beating Arsenal in early October by the same scoreline.

It was always going to be a hard ask for a Portsmouth side fighting relegation and financial difficulties, and they were unable to add to their solitary victory so far this season.

They had hoped to keep Newcastle quiet and to be fair to the visitors they were able too, with a solitary Mandzukic effort that hit the side netting Newcastle's only strike on goal in the opening 28 minutes.

The best chance for the Toon fell to Jonas Gutierrez, who saw a powerful effort deflected clear by David James.

Portsmouth then had a go of their own, with a swift counter attack seeing John Utaka pick out Nadir Belhadj, who was denied by Steve Harper's fairly routine save.

A quiet first half saw only one real opportunity fall either way. It fell to Newcastle, who saw Mandzukic make the space before firing a venomous effort that James did well to deny.

Portsmouth's first half display was a smooth defensive display, which saw them suitably contain their host's attacking threats, but didn't see them produce too many in the way of their own.

They did come close in the opening stages of the second half, with Belhadj seeing a curling free-kick deflected wide moments before Papa Boubia Diop was denied by Harper from the corner.

Harper was also required to make another firm save to deny Jamie O'Hara's fine free-kick as the visitors begun to find an advantage on the scoresheet.

Newcastle did have some opportunities of their own though, with Mikkel Thygesen firing an effort over the top.

James was then necessary to keep Portsmouth level, with Andy Carroll playing in Jonas who forced a firm save for the goalkeeper.

But James would be beaten moments later, and seconds after Utaka had blown a chance to put Portsmouth into the lead.

The resulting goal kick was hit long by Harper, whose long hit perfectly found Mandzukic. The Newcastle number 10 raced free of Linvoy Primus before firing the ball across James into the bottom corner of the goal.

Mandzukic was almost able to bury Portsmouth for good moments later when he raced free and was denied by James, before Portsmouth almost equalised when Diop was picked out by Belhadj only for the header to go out via the top of the bar.

Newcastle began to focus on containing the visitors from the South Coast and were able to do so, with Belhadj wasting Portsmouth's only real chance when he blasted it wide.

In the end, the Tynesiders were able to gain the victory that they had wanted. It was a good win for Newcastle, who did not play at their free-flowing best but still secured victory. But in contrast its more misery for Paul Hart's team, whose win over Wolves in early October remains their only league success of the season so far.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Thygesen (Duff 64), Smith (Nolan 64), Barton, Jonas - Mandzukic, Carroll (Edgar 90)
Subs not used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Guthrie, Ameobi

Scorer: Mandzukic (63)

Portsmouth: James - Vanden Borre (Wilson 45), Primus, Ben-Haim, O'Hara - Mokoena, Hughes - Smith, Diop, Belhadj - Utaka (Hreidarsson 65)
Subs not used: Ashdown, Finnan, Williamson, Yebda, Dindane
Booked: Mokoena

Referee: Stuart Atwell
Attendance: 43,411

Two goals from Wayne Rooney helped Manchester United secure three points against an agitated Newcastle.

The visitors were not happy with the events surrounding Rooney's two goals, with manager Sven-Goran Eriksson and his players visibly annoyed at them.

The first goal saw referee Howard Webb award a penalty for a foul on Rooney by Steven Taylor, although replays indicated this was the correct decision.

Rooney brushed off the agitation to score but his second was more controverisal, with the striker appearing to be offside in the race to get to the ball.

This ultimately ended the game as a contest, with substitute Danny Welbeck adding gloss to the scoreline with a third in second half added time.

It continued a good run of recent league form for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, whose comprehensive 7-3 derby win over Manchester City has breathed new life into a season that had been struggling to hit the high gears expected of the Red Devils.

Man United had an early opportunity to score when Ji-Sung Park's run found Rooney, but the striker headed the ball straight at Steve Harper.

Nani saw two attempted free-kicks deflected off target as the home side tried to search for an early strike, but it was the visitors with a better chance. Unfortunately for them, Joey Barton couldn't direct Mario Mandzukic's lay-off on target.

Michael Carrick was unable to keep his header down against his hometown club, while a similar problem with accuracy denied Park as the Red Devils intensified their search.

With 12 minutes to go before half-time, they almost got it. Dimitar Berbatov evaded Steven Taylor and laid the ball off for Rooney, whose powerful drive was well saved by Harper.

Berbatov was then given space to try his own effort but the striker could only fire the ball straight at Harper. A second attempt from the Bulgarian in first half stoppage time also came close but his effort narrowly rose over the top of the bar.

Shortly after half-time, Newcastle broke and thought they should have had a penalty when Carrick appeared to catch Steven Taylor in the box, but referee Howard Webb duly ignored the visitors' protestations.

Man United then began to turn the heat up on the visitors. A brilliant strike from Nani was denied by an equally impressive effort from Harper, while Rooney beat Joey Barton to the resulting corner but couldn't keep his effort down.

Then, with 13 minutes of the second half gone, United were handed the chance to open the scoring. A through ball from Patrice Evra picked out Berbatov, who advanced into the area before being felled by Steven Taylor.

Although Newcastle protested, the referee stood by his decision, although he opted not to punish the Newcastle defender further by giving him a second yellow card.

Rooney rolled up his socks and coolly dispatched his spot kick into the Stretford End to open the scoring for the home side.

Newcastle almost equalised instantly, when a half-cleared corner fell to Alan Smith but the former Red Devil could only fire a strike straight at Edwin van der Saar.

Smith's next contribution was to give away a free-kick for a poorly timed tackle but Rooney's free-kick landed in the stand.

The Red Devils did attempt to get closer, with Berbatov seeing a piledriver deflected away and Harper made a good jump to parry away a firm effort from Nani. The Newcastle goalkeeper was also needed to hold onto Nemanja Vidic's effort as his team began to be put under the cosh.

With 12 minutes left to go, the game's second goal fell the way of the home side.

Sebastien Bassong's poor clearance fell to Carrick, who laid the ball off for Paul Scholes. The substitute teed up his fellow sub Welbeck, who laid the ball on for Rooney to run free of the Newcastle defence before flicking the ball into the net.

Newcastle were fuming, as they felt Rooney had strayed offside before the goal, but although they might have had a case, the referee and his assistants were unsympathetic and the goal stood.

The away side's best attempt in the whole encounter came after 89 minutes when Shola Ameobi was played through and was denied by van der Saar, while a fantastic clearance from Scholes was able to deny Damien Duff scoring a seemingly nailed on rebound.

United then wrapped up the score moments later. Evra played the ball inside for Scholes who laid it up to Rooney. The striker cued up Welbeck, who hit a sumptuous strike into the top corner.

It was only the youngster's second Premier League goal, after he scored on his debut against Stoke City last season, but it was a moment to savour as he seeks to win a place in Ferguson's strongest eleven.

Man United: van der Saar - Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra - Park (Scholes 76), Fletcher, Carrick, Nani - Berbatov (Welbeck 76), Rooney
Subs not used: Foster, Evans, O'Shea, Anderson, Macheda
Booked: Park, Fletcher, Carrick

Scorer: Rooney (pen 58, 78), Welbeck (90+2)

Newcastle: Harper - Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Jonas (Coloccini 84), Smith, Barton (Carroll 79), Duff - Nolan (Ameobi 59) - Mandzukic
Subs not used: Krul, Edgar, Guthrie, Wilshere
Booked: Steven Taylor, Bassong, Smith, Jonas

Referee: Howard Webb
Attendance: 71,854

Mario Mandzukic scored a dramatic 90th minute equaliser as Newcastle secured a surprise draw against Chelsea.

It had looked like being a routine result for the unbeaten leaders, who missed a few chances before taking the lead late in the first half through Michael Ballack.

But Newcastle earned a point in ridiculous circumstances at the end of the contest, when Demba Ba scored direct from a Petr Cech free-kick only to be ruled offside. The resulting free kick from Steve Harper made a perfect connection with Mandzukic, who scored.

Its only the fourth Premier League goal Chelsea have conceded so far this season in the Premier League, but Carlo Ancelotti will be more infuriated his team threw away their lead right at the end of the match.

The Blues had been on the front foot from the start of the contest, with Joe Cole dispossessing Danny Simpson but denied a shot after brave defending from Mikkel Thygesen.

Harper almost got caught out by Juan's corner, which John Obi Mikel headed into the side-netting. But Harper was still in for a busy afternoon, with the goalkeeper denying Ba's free-header and then later making a good stop to deny Frank Lampard's arrowing drive.

Newcastle's first chance came on 18 minutes when Thygesen rose to meet Jonas Gutierrez's cross with a superb leap but couldn't keep his header down in a disappointing miss.

Chelsea continued to press, with a run allowing Ba to get behind the defence only to see a strike skim the top of the bar, while a long range hammer strike from Cole was similarly off target.

But it was the home side with the best opportunity, with Thygesen played through one-on-one with Cech only for the Dane to fire his effort at the goalkeeper.

Newcastle were almost in moments later when Ricardo Carvalho made an excellent stopping tackle to deny Andy Carroll, while Sebastien Bassong was unable to keep his effort on target.

But as the half began to quietly end, it was the visitors who took the advantage.

Jose Bosingwa advanced down the right hand flank and was able to find Ballack, who hit the ball back to Lampard. The midfielder passed it back to Mikel, who showed excellent vision to pick out Ballack.

The veteran German international ran in ahead of Danny Guthrie before firing a powerful angled drive into the corner past Harper.

Chelsea almost made it 2-0 before the break when Daniel Sturridge intercepted a poor Fabricio Coloccini clearance only for the striker to fire his effort off target.

In contrast to the first half, the second was played at a significantly more lethargic pace as Chelsea looked to maintain their advantage against a Newcastle team readjusting to a tactical shift to a diamond formation.

The nearest either side came to a goal saw a slick Chelsea attack ended by a wild Bassong clearance that landed in the Leazes End behind the goal.

The first time a goalkeeper was necessary was on 65 minutes, and it was a fairly routine stop for Harper after Deco fired a strike straight at him.

Newcastle then suddenly began to start creating opportunities, with Mandzukic seeing one effort go over from Jonas' corner before a second effort from long range was inches over the top of the goal.

Chelsea's best chance saw the usually dependable Lampard lamp a free-kick into the stand moments before he received a booking, while Jonas wasted a great chance for the Magpies when he rose to meet a cross only to head it into the Gallowgate End.

The unlikely source of Jose Enrique almost salvaged a point for Newcastle when Mandzukic's lay-off presented the Spanish full back with a chance that he could only fire straight at Cech.

But Chelsea came even closer to finding a killer second strike, with Deco laying the ball off for Ba, and the Senegal striker bought out a very good save to deny Ba.

With 90 minutes on the clock, Chelsea thought they had sealed three points to take with them for the long journey back to London when Cech's long ball perfectly found Ba. The striker raced in-between Coloccini and Harper to head the ball into the back of the empty net, only to be penalised for offside.

Harper tried to get his teammates to scamper forward to get the equaliser, and his free-kick travelled long but was intercepted by Carvalho. However, Mandzukic got in ahead of the pedestrian John Terry, and he was able to control and fire the ball home.

It was a superb goal from the Croatian striker, and it sent the home crowd into raptures.

By contrast, Ancelotti stood on the touchline dumbstruck as his team threw away three points in dramatic style.

It meant that Chelsea blew the chance to re-establish their five point advantage at the top of the Premier League, which now stands at three after Manchester City beat Liverpool in the lunchtime game.

They will be particularly keen to improve ahead of a run of fixtures that includes trips to Manchester United and Arsenal, and could be key in their attempts to win the title this season.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique (Duff 88) - Thygesen (Ameobi 70), Barton, Guthrie (Ryan Taylor 45), Jonas - Mandzukic, Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Steven Taylor, Wilshere, Smith
Booked: Jonas, Ameobi

Scorer: Mandzukic (90)

Chelsea: Cech - Bosingwa, Carvalho, Terry, Juan (Belletti 45) - Mikel - Lampard, Joe Cole (Deco 61) - Ballack - Ba, Sturridge (Malouda 61)
Subs not used: Turnbull, Alex, Zhirkov, Matic
Booked: Lampard

Scorer: Ballack (44)

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 49,481

Three goals in ten minutes helped Aston Villa come from behind to beat ten man Newcastle at St. James' Park.

Newcastle had taken the lead during a quiet first half after Curtis Davies unwittingly deflected Mario Mandzukic's shot past his own goalkeeper, and it had looked as if the Tynesiders were going to take three points and preserve their unbeaten home record.

But Alan Smith was sent off for conceding a penalty by fouling Ashley Young, with Stiliyan Petrov scoring the equaliser.

Aston Villa then struck further with goals from Gabby Agbonlahor and Stephen Warnock ensuring the points would be for Martin O'Neill's side, and rendering Mandzukic's late strike a consolation.

This was the first meeting of the two sides since a last minute equaliser from Damien Duff at Villa Park kept Newcastle up on the final day of the season, and the Magpies entered this encounter above their guests in the table.

Newcastle had the game's first opportunity when Ryan Taylor set up Andy Carroll only for the giant striker to blast his effort into the stands.

But the Villa were able to restrict Newcastle's effectiveness attacking the goal and came close with a chance of their own when former Magpie James Milner was left unmarked at Ashley Young's corner, only for the winger to head over.

Ryan Taylor wasted two efforts for Newcastle and it took them 24 minutes to test Brad Friedel for the first time, with the effort seeing Villa's keeper hold onto Smith's half-volley.

Villa had a better chance three minutes later when Agbonlahor's cross forced a chance for Milner, who was denied by a point blank save from Steve Harper.

Friedel had to be alert to make a routine stop to deny Mandzukic, before Villa saw a chance from Marlon Harewood denied after the striker had fouled Fabricio Coloccini.

A flying save from Villa's American goalkeeper to deny Joey Barton had looked to preserve the goalless status of the game for the break, but there was nothing he could do to stop Newcastle scoring the opener.

A firm ball from the middle of the park from Barton to Mandzukic was helped on out wide to Ryan Taylor. The ball was returned to Mandzukic, who opted to try his luck. The Croatian's strike was going wide but it hit Davies, wrong-footed Friedel and landed in the back of the net.

It was a cruel goal for the away side to concede as they had matched their hosts for the majority of the half, but the break saw Villa a goal down.

Villa's attempts to find an equaliser were the only real chances in a very quiet second half, with Nigel Reo-Coker hitting a poor effort high and wide and Harewood seeing a strike deflected wide.

In fact, these were the only two real chances of a dreadful second half, but Newcastle fans had become worried by some particularly spicy tackles that saw players receiving cards.

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson seemed to agree, with the Swede opting to substitute Barton after a series of poor tackles led to the midfielder being cautioned and walking a tightrope.

But it was another Newcastle midfielder who would receive the second caution and throw Villa a lifeline.

A Villa attack saw Ashley Young played the ball and he was about to run on goal when his shirt was needlessly pulled on by Smith. Newcastle's captain had already been cautioned for a foul in the first half, and his second offence led to his dismissal by referee Chris Foy.

Petrov stepped up and converted the penalty to bring Villa back on level terms.

The visitors began to sense the game was theirs for the taking. Substitute Nathan Delfouenso ran clear of the defence only to fluff his lines when on goal, while Agbonlahor was unable to keep control of the ball as he found the side netting.

With 11 minutes remaining, the visitors took the lead for the first time. Davies' header from a clearance found Milner, who in turn found Agbonlahor. The striker took advantage of some poor defending by Bassong to run on goal and lash the ball home via the underside of the crossbar.

It would then get better for Villa when they got a third. Jose Enrique's poor clearance found Petrov, who got ahead of two Newcastle players before finding the unlikely figure of Warnock in the middle of the goal. Villa's left back raced away from Coloccini, rounded Harper and coolly finished as well as any striker to put the result beyond doubt.

But the Toon did manage to grab one goal back in second half injury time. David Edgar's through ball was held up by Carroll, who laid it off for substitute Kevin Nolan. The ex-Bolton player played a beautiful through-ball for Mandzukic to race onto and finish.

But it was too little, too late for the home team, who suffer their first home defeat of the season against a Villa side who were very clinical once the Magpies were reduced to ten men. After a disappointing start to the campaign, Martin O'Neill will hope the side have turned a corner and can push on for a European spot.

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Coloccini, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Ryan Taylor (Thygesen 71), Barton (Nolan 62), Smith, Jonas (Edgar 71) - Mandzukic, Carroll
Subs not used: Krul, Steven Taylor, Duff, Ameobi
Booked: Smith, Barton, Bassong
Sent Off: Smith (71)

Scorer: Davies (og 45+1), Mandzukic (90+2)

Aston Villa: Friedel - Young, Dunne (Cuellar 70), Davies, Warnock - Milner, Petrov, Reo-Coker, Young (Collins 70) - Harewood (Delfouenso 70), Agbonlahor
Subs not used: Guzan, Beye, Bouma, Downing

Scorer: Petrov (pen 72), Agbonlahor (79), Warnock (83)

Referee: Chris Foy
Attendance: 52,387

Two Jonas Gutierrez goals helped Newcastle secure a resounding away win at hapless Wigan.

Newcastle arrived at the DW Stadium without an away league win this season but two goals in four minutes from Mikkel Thygesen and Shola Ameobi set them on their way to victory against the league's bottom club.

Jonas added a third before half-time before securing a resounding success with a fourth goal in the last ten minutes.

The result heightens the gloom enveloping Roberto Martinez's side, with Wigan having only having two wins to their name this season, and with Sunderland now beginning to win matches, the Latics fall to the bottom and risk being cut adrift the longer their winless streak continues.

Wigan's morale had been boosted coming into the game after their surprise draw at high-flying Everton in their previous game and they had an early chance but former Newcastle winger Charles N'Zogbia saw his free kick land inches wide of the mark.

Newcastle came close seconds later when Mario Mandzukic teed up youngster Jack Wilshere, and the loan signing from Arsenal was unlucky to find the side-netting.

The best chance in a quiet half fell to Jason Scotland, but the striker could only head over and this would prove costly as Newcastle found the opener with four minutes of the Trinidad and Tobago striker's miss.

Some intricate passing between Jonas and Jose Enrique saw the Argentine winger progress, and he opted to lay the ball off for Joey Barton. The midfielder's fizzing cross picked out Thygesen, who got away from Erik Edman before firing home.

Within four minutes it was two. Steve Harper's long ball out found Jonas, who got clear of the defender before laying it on for Ameobi. Newcastle's veteran striker was able to run through on Chris Kirkland before comfortably finding the goal.

The striker was taking advantage of a rare start with a firm finish that will do his cause for a starting berth no harm.

Wigan almost got an instant way back into the contest but Edman couldn't direct his free-kick on target.

By contrast, Newcastle almost made it three moments later when Thygesen was perfectly targeted by Danny Simpson's cross only for the Dane to head over.

But Newcastle did make it three with nine minutes of the first half remaining. Ameobi's forward progression saw him able to hold the ball up for Wilshere, who teed up Jonas to slot the ball home and grab his team's third goal.

It could have been four first half goals for the Magpies after Thygesen saw his header just graze the top of the bar on its way over, while Wigan's chance of a first half goal saw Mohammed Diame dribble free of the defence to create a great opportunity. Unfortunately for his team, the Senegal midfielder wasted it and was duly one of the players sacrificed in a bold triple substitution at half-time.

One of the subs was Marlon King, who got close when he ran free of Coloccini and forced a firm stop from Harper.

Paul Scharner also came close as Wigan began knocking, but they almost got buried on the break when Mandzukic broke free only to be denied by Kirkland.

Kirkland also had to make an excellent save to deny Newcastle substitute Peter Lovenkrands, while Thygesen was again off target with his attempt.

Wigan were still creating chances and felt they should have had a penalty when Steven Taylor challenged Jason Scotland - a plea ignored by referee Lee Mason.

But they were still second best and could've fell further behind when Lovenkrands was played through by Ameobi only for the Dane to fire straight at Kirkland.

Nevertheless, Newcastle soon had four anyway. Some crisp passing saw David Edgar pick out Danny Simpson, who picked out Kevin Nolan, who threaded a pinpoint pass to Jonas. The Argentine winger always had several yards on Mario Melchiot and was able to convert with ease.

The Wigan fans had seen enough. Many left soon after the fourth, with a fair number having already left beforehand, and a bleak midwinter faces Roberto Martinez's side.

Newcastle will certainly feel buoyed by this result. A first away win of their season was also their first four goal haul since March 2008 and they will feel elated as they embark on a busy Christmas period, starting with Monday night's Tyne-Wear Derby.

Wigan: Kirkland - Melchiot, Tunchev, Amaya (Gomez 45), Edman - Scharner, Diame (McCarthy 45), Won-Hee (King 45) - Kalachev, Scotland, N'Zogbia
Subs not used: Politt, Figueroa, Sinclair, Koumas

Newcastle: Harper - Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique - Thygesen, Barton (Edgar 58), Wilshere (Nolan 68), Jonas - Ameobi, Mandzukic (Lovenkrands 68)
Subs not used: Krul, Ryan Taylor, Duff, Carroll
Booked: Jose Enrique, Coloccini, Barton

Scorer: Thygesen (21), Ameobi (25), Jonas (36, 82)

Referee: Lee Mason
Attendance: 16,959