A Little Bit Of History Changing

Notts County have confirmed the signing of Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan for £2.3million.

The Championship newboys confirmed the signing of the former Bolton midfielder, and he has signed a three year contract. Newcastle will contribute £29,000-a-week to the first two years of a deal, but have managed to shed most of his reported £50,000-a-week pay packet from their wage bill.

Nolan joined Newcastle from Bolton for four million in January 2009. He made 59 league appearances for the North East club, but only scored one goal, and missed most of the 2010/11 season with injury.

The signing is the most expensive summer signing so far for the Football League's oldest club, who are in the Championship after back-to-back promotions.

Notts County's manager Glenn Roeder said, "We are very happy with the signing. Nolan is a player of Premier League quality and it is a great coup for the club to have players of such reputation in our playing squad.

"I hope the fans will be delighted with this purchase, and we look forward to seeing him play matches for Notts County Football Club."

Nolan is the 7th player to leave Newcastle this summer, following the departures of Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan Taylor and Peter Lovenkrands, and the releases of Darren Lough, Jonny Godsmark and Michael McCrudden.

It is likely he may not be the last, with rumours indicating the club have accepted bids for Steven Taylor and Mario Mandzukic, although the club would not comment when asked by Daily Telegraph reporters.

Great signing in Luis Suarez.

Bayern Munich have confirmed the £10million signing of defender Steven Taylor from Newcastle United.

Taylor signs a four year contract at St. James' Park, and brings to an end his six year career at the North East club. The centre back made 162 league appearances from the club - scoring 7 goals in his time at the club.

Bayern had initially been anticipated to make an effort to sign his Newcastle teammate Sebastien Bassong, who had earlier voiced his interest in moving to the Bundesliga giants, but instead, the England youth international will move to Bavaria.

In a statement on the club's website, Taylor said, "It is with great sadness that I leave Newcastle. This is a club I have always been proud to represent, and one that will always be in my heart. I would love to someday return to the club, because it is somewhere I have enjoyed playing.

"Joining Bayern Munich represents an exciting new challenge for me, and I am very happy to join the team. I look forward to getting started in Germany and hope that I will be able to adjust as quickly as possible."

The deal reportedly breaks down £3.5million up-front and the remainder in installments for 30 months, although neither Bayern nor Newcastle would confirm the financial arrangements of the deal.

Newcastle have said they want to move quickly for a replacement, with the club having reportedly made bids for Fulham defender Brede Hangeland and Bordeaux's Belgian international centre-back Jan Vertonghen.

Ironically, Taylor's debut for Bayern could come at Newcastle, with the German club playing on Tyneside for Steve Harper's testimonial match and in the final match of Newcastle's pre-season preparations.

I was initially gonna try changing to a 4-2-3-1, with Suarez and Dembele on flanks with Mandzukic up top. But as you see in my next update, I had to change that...

Still, I am very happy to have him on board. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do.

Stoke City have signed the Newcastle United striker Mario Mandzukic for a club record fee of £10million.

Mandzukic has made the surprise move to the Premier League newboys, despite previous reports linking him with Valencia and Sampdoria.

The Croatian international joined Newcastle in the summer of 2009 for four million pounds from Dinamo Zagreb. He scored 30 goals in 71 league appearances in his two seasons as Newcastle player, while he has also scored 5 goals in 20 caps for the Croatian national side.

Stoke manager Peter Reid was delighted at the capture of the striker.

He said, "This is a superb signing for the club. Mario is a proven goalscorer at the Premier League level, and has proven himself to be a reliable goalscorer in his two seasons at this level.

"We look forward to seeing what he can do, and he will surely provide us with a great option as we seek to ensure we maintain our Premier League stay beyond one campaign."

Its been rumoured Mandzukic's departure has given a reprieve for Shola Ameobi, with Newcastle apparently set to sell their veteran striker following the signings of Luis Suarez and Moussa Dembele, before Stoke surprised them by matching their asking price.

Stoke had earlier had two bids rejected by Newcastle for full back Danny Simpson, with the Potters not meeting the club's asking price for the former Manchester United defender.

Belgian international defender Jan Vertonghen has completed his transfer from Bordeaux to Newcastle United for £11.5million.

The defender has signed a four year contract with the Premier League club, and is the Premier League side's third summer signing, following the earlier captures of Luis Suarez and Moussa Dembele.

Vertonghen joined Bordeaux from Ajax in January 2010 for £8.25million, making 60 league appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit, scoring four times. He has made 21 appearances for the Belgian national team, scoring two goals.

Newcastle manager Sven-Goran Eriksson confirmed his club needed a new defender after the departures of Steven Taylor, Ryan Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini, and is happy to have landed his target.

He said, "Having lost Steven, Ryan and Fabricio, we were three defenders light and realised that this was a number that needed bulking up for the new campaign. To sign a top-quality international player as that option was the goal for the Newcastle backline, and I am very pleased we pulled that off.

"Jan is a very fine player with a great reputation in the football world, and I am confident the big money we have spent on him will prove to be a wise investment for Newcastle United."

The 24-year-old will likely make his debut in Newcastle's final pre-season friendly, which sees them host Bayern Munich on Saturday.

Newcastle are yet to confirm if they will sign another player before the deadline closes on August 31st, although they have been linked with a number of targets.

Brilliant signing in Suarez and good to see a few people leaving the club and lowering the wage bill in the process

I wasn't playing on selling Mandzukic or Steven Taylor, but felt £20million for both of them was too good to turn down. Lovenkrands, Nolan, Coloccini and Ryan Taylor were wasting my wage bill though, so its good to be shot of them.

With the season about to start, we look back at the pre-season results for Newcastle United.

15th July 2011
Hartlepool 0-4 Newcastle
Newcastle's began pre-season with a short trip to take on their new feeder club Hartlepool United at Victoria Park. Things started going very well from the first minute, with Andy Carroll heading home a cross to give Newcastle a very early advantage. Both sides had plenty of chances in a busy first half, but it was the visitors who struck the game's second goal. Damien Duff scored the strike, tapping home after Scott Flinders could only parry Mikkel Thygesen's free-kick. Mario Mandzukic then put the game beyond reasonable doubt with the team's third just after half time, before youngster Ryan Donaldson rounded off the scoring in injury time.

21st July 2011
Austin Aztex 0-3 Newcastle
The first of Newcastle's four game tour of the United States of America to face Austin in the Texas state capital. A tight first-half begun to go Newcastle's way after Moussa Dembele scored a magnificent solo goal to give his team the advantage. The Magpies had a large number of opportunities, but it took them until after the half-time break to grab the second goal. It was scored by Mario Mandzukic, who rose highest to turn home Mikkel Thygesen's delivery. A third goal came moments later through Adel Taarabt when he slotted home despite home protestations of offside, and the Magpies had a three goal win.

22nd July 2011
Houston Dynamo 0-3 Newcastle
The second game of the club's United States tour took them across the state of Texas to take on Houston Dynamo. The Magpies gave a debut to big money buy Luis Suarez and made the best of the running against the MLS side. The English side took the advantage just before half-time, with Moussa Dembele seizing on a defensive error and slotting home. Both Dynamo and Newcastle had and missed chances before the Magpies grabbed a second goal with 20 to go. Mario Mandzukic was the scorer, with the Croatian converting Adel Taarabt's through-ball. Newcastle then picked up a third goal late on, with Danny Guthrie scoring after Mandzukic's initial effort had been saved.

25th July 2011
FC Dallas 0-3 Newcastle
Newcastle rounded off their Texas trip with a game against FC Dallas in the Lone Star state's largest city. The hosts put up a decent fight early on but fell behind when Dembele cued up Andy Carroll, who slotted home the game's opening goal. Newcastle then grabbed a second just before half-time when Adel Taarabt capped off a run with a crisp finish from a tight angle. After missing several chances, Newcastle got their third three goal haul from their Texas trip, with Alan Smith scoring after Jonas Gutierrez and Shola Ameobi had been denied.

31st July 2011
Los Angeles Galaxy 0-2 Newcastle
After three games in Texas, Newcastle wrapped up their US tour with a trip to Los Angeles to face the former employers of David Beckham. Despite the sale of Mario Mandzukic confirmed that afternoon, Newcastle were on the front foot and took the lead in fluke style. Moussa Dembele's cross picked out Luis Suarez, whose looping header seemed to be being kept out until it spiralled in. Newcastle then got a more dubious goal when Dembele scored despite him looking offside when he received Adel Taarabt's through ball. Both sides missed a large number of opportunities and the Magpies ended their US campaign with 4 wins and clean sheets from four.

6th August 2009
Newcastle 1-0 Bayern Munich
Steve Harper's testimonial after 20 years associated with Newcastle United saw his team take on German giants Bayern Munich, who gave a debut to Steven Taylor after his move from Tyneside to Bavaria in the summer. Bayern had the best of the early opportunities but sent most of them all target, with Harper stopping those that came his way. Newcastle spent most of the afternoon on the back foot but took the lead in bizarre fashion. Harper's long ball was headed over and beyond the exposed Robert Enke by Luis Suarez, who scored on his home debut. Aided by some great stops from Harper, who was deservedly crowned man of the match, Newcastle beat Bayern to secure their sixth win and clean sheet of six pre-season games.

With the Premier League about to return this weekend, The Daily Telegraph is running the rule over your team ahead of the new campaign. Here, we take a look at Newcastle United

Last Season In A Sentence:
Seemingly always one winning run away from the European places, but were always on the fringe until the end.

This Season Will Be...
An aim for a European challenge and more financially sound. The club sold a lot of big earning players in the summer, with manager Sven-Goran Eriksson getting his wish in culling some of the club's best renumerated options. Now, a more concise operation that arguably needs more to it will be trying for more European action.

Manager: Sven-Goran Eriksson
The Swedish manager was annoyed by his team's continued lack of discipline and by their failure to maintain a challenge for Europe last season. Eriksson has modified his tactics to incorporate his new big buys and will be hopeful his re-modelled Newcastle team are capable of better things.

Key Player: Luis Suarez
The big money signing from Ajax comes with a whiff of enigmatic loon, with reports of his insane attitude in the Dutch League. But he is a very talented player that Newcastle have put a lot of faith in purchasing. Capable of playing across the forward line, Suarez will be entrusted to replace the departed Mario Mandzukic, and prove that there is such a thing as players that can successfully transition from the Dutch league to the English one.

New Boys:
At £12million, Suarez is Newcastle's most expensive buy since Michael Owen and represents a bold new direction of big spending for the previously frugal Eriksson. Newcastle's other cash signing is similarly priced, with the club forking out £11.5million for Bordeaux centre half Jan Vertonghen as the replacement for the Germany-bound Steven Taylor. Newcastle's other new signing so far is a free but a highly rated one, with Moussa Dembele coming in as he seeks to justify the hype that got him a regular spot in the Belgian national squad.

What They Still Need:
So far, Newcastle have sold seven players and purchased three. So by that logic they could still use four more players, although the arrivals of Suarez, Dembele and Vertonghen means they've replaced the sold regulars. But the team could still use an additional central midfielder and perhaps a more consistent attacking midfielder to replace the inconsistent Adel Taarabt and Mikkel Thygesen.

Big Season For: Ryan Donaldson
After a successful loan spell at Crystal Palace, the Newcastle management hinted they would incorporate Donaldson into the squad. Having played a good portion of pre-season, and with players departed, its now an opportunity for the academy graduate to seize a first team player. Donaldson is highly rated by the Newcastle staff, and it will be likely he will make first team appearances next season.

Prediction:
A superb pre-season means Newcastle enter the season in high spirits, while the new boys do provide an interesting air to proceedings. Newcastle need to work out their discipline issues - easier said than done when Alan Smith and Joey Barton is your main midfield - but they feel two or three options short of a proper European challenge. Maybe if they acquire two additional options they maybe higher, but for now, they look set to fall short again. 9th

New Signings:
Luis Suarez (Ajax, £12M), Jan Vertonghen (Bordeaux, £11.5M), Moussa Dembele (AZ Alkmaar, free)

Outgoing:
Mario Mandzukc (Stoke City, £10M), Steven Taylor (Bayern Munich £10M), Ryan Taylor (Sheffield United, £3.5M), Fabrico Coloccini (Fenerbache, £3M), Kevin Nolan (Notts County, £2.3M), Peter Lovenkrands (Huddersfield, £475K), Darren Lough (St Patrick's Athletic, free)

Predicted Eleven:
Krul - Simpson, Vertonghen, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Smith, Barton - Jonas, Taarabt, Dembele - Suarez

Solid pre-season program but obviously that means nothing if you're unable to pick up results in the competitive fixtures, I expect another tough campaign ahead but I'm guessing European football must be the absolute minimum this season even though the last update states a 'ninth placed finish'?

If I can get in two Europe class additions - perhaps one in defence, definitely one in midfield - then maybe. But for now, better than 9th is my minimum.

Youngster Ryan Donaldson was the surprise hero as Newcastle won the Tyne-Wear Derby on the opening day.

Sunderland had led the fixture twice, with Darren Bent scoring just after half time and again shortly after Shola Ameobi had equalised.

But Jonas Gutierrez gave Newcastle parity for a second time, before Donaldson marked his first team debut by scoring the winning goal for the team whose academy he graduated from.

It was a fairytale start to life in the Newcastle squad for the youngster, who has been promoted to the first team. Sunderland, by contrast, were dejected after twice taking the lead against their oldest rivals and twice failing to keep the advantage.

The two teams have taken different paths so far in the summer window. Sunderland have only signed three players in the summer transfer window, with Spanish U21 international Borja Baston the only one to make the squad. On the other hand, Newcastle have been on something of a squad cull, with six players leaving the club in the summer. All three of their new signings started, while Sven-Goran Eriksson has said he wants to sign two more at least to make up for the departed.

Sunderland almost scored the first goal of the season in the first minute, with Tim Krul forced into parrying Fraizer Campbell's strike and Kieran Richardson sending the rebound hopelessly wide.

Jonas was next to try his luck, and did so on two occasions, with one harmless effort drifting wide and the other one beating Craig Gordon, but not his post.

Newcastle began to apply some pressure, with Jan Vertonghen heading wide on his Newcastle debut, and Gordon making a smart stop to deny Adel Taarabt.

As the pace and venom began to seep out of the half, both keepers were forced into routine stops, with Krul easily stopping a diving header from Campbell before Gordon made a simple stop to deny Moussa Dembele.

Much closer was Taarabt on the half hour mark, with the Moroccan's swerving effort smacking the crossbar with Gordon a spectator.

Taarabt and Joey Barton then sent efforts wide of the mark as Newcastle continued to look the likelier to find the game's opening goal.

An awful Lee Cattermole free-kick was the best the hosts could manage, but after half-time, they were able to take the lead.

Richardson's throw-in was collected by Campbell, who evaded his former Manchester United teammate Danny Simpson and teed up Bent. The England international ran through clear on goal before converting.

Newcastle protested, claiming offside against the Sunderland striker, but the referee was not interested in their protests.

But they weren't behind for long. A long ball forward by Krul was flicked on by Barton into the path of Luis Suarez. The big money Uruguayan jinxed his way past his marker and hit a shot that Gordon parried, but the substitute Ameobi - on for the injured Taarabt - was able to flick home.

Another goal against the Wearsiders for the Newcastle United number 23, who has been affectionately dubbed "the Mackem Slayer" by the Newcastle fans, who chanted as such from their allocation.

A substantially more lively second half then took another twist as Sunderland re-took their advantage, and in similar fashion to the goal they had just conceded.

Richardson was able to go on a run around Simpson before cueing up Cattermole. He was urged to shoot by the home fans and did, and although Krul parried, Bent popped up to tap home his second of the match.

Delight once more for the Sunderland fans, who had taken glee in beating Newcastle at St. James' Park a few weeks before their FA Cup Final appearance last season.

Newcastle came close when Suarez popped up in a good position only to head over, but they weren't behind for long.

This time, Dembele was able to go on a run before playing the ball infield for Alan Smith. A great ball from the Newcastle captain picked out Jonas Gutierrez, who ran clean through and put the ball into the bottom corner.

The Argentine winger has been attracting the interest of AC Milan recently, and this superb finish would almost certainly add a few extra thousand pounds to his price tag.

The visitors then almost took the lead only for Ameobi to shoot wide when well placed, but moments after that near-goal, they were ahead courtesy of their 4th first team debutant.

The lively Suarez ran down the flank before playing the ball inside for Smith. His ball forward was laid off by Ameobi for Donaldson, and the newly arrived Newcastle sub let fly from 25 yards. It turned out to be a great call by the youngster, with the ball flying from his boot to the top corner for a goal on his full first team debut, and at the home of his team's greatest rivals.

For the first time in the afternoon, Newcastle led, but they were almost pegged back immediately. Bent made a good leap and header in connection with Campbell's delivery, but the ball could only graze the top of the bar and go over.

Surprisingly, Sunderland then began to ran out of inspiration and ideas. They laboured to break down Newcastle's sturdy defensive unit, but without success.

It was then all over, and the Newcastle supporters and players were the ones toasting an early derby day success courtesy of their newest local hero. The grin on Donaldson's face was certainly clear to see, with the academy graduate the man that had ensured the first victory of the season for his team. Sunderland fans by contrast left irritated by their failure to hold onto two leads and their inability to get back after conceding the game's decisive strike, and they will hope for better in their upcoming European qualifiers against Swiss side FC Luzern.

Sunderland: Gordon - Kaboul, Turner, da Silva (Ferdinand 45), Armero - Malbranque (Henderson 90), Cana, Cattermole, Richardson (Geovanni 84) - Bent, Campbell
Subs not used: Fulop, Sememberas, Tainio, Baston

Scorer: Bent (48, 58)

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Vertonghen, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Smith, Barton - Suarez (Guthrie 86), Taarabt (Ameobi 47), Jonas - Dembele (Donaldson 65)
Subs not used: Begovic, Jones, Edgar, Carroll
Booked: Smith

Scorer: Ameobi (50), Jonas (64), Donaldson (67)

Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 48,300

Tight but good start to the new campaign!

Newcastle survived a late Wolves fightback to beat the Black Country side and make it two wins from two.

Ryan Donaldson and Shola Ameobi scored their second goals in as many games to give Newcastle a first half advantage.

A bad-tempered game was shaded by Newcastle until Sylvain Ebanks-Blake got a goal back just after half-time. But despite creating a number of chances, the visitors failed to take any of them, and in truth, were substantially more prolific at accumulating yellow cards.

This was in all a bad tempered game between two very combative sides, with the referee showing ten yellow cards, although unlike an infamous game at Molineux two seasons ago, the referee's red card was not required.

The bad temper was in evidence from the off, with the first yellow card issued inside the opening four minutes. It was issued to Newcastle's Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen, after his awkward trip up of Sam Vokes.

Newcastle begun to accumulate some early opportunities, with Joey Barton forcing a stop out of Wayne Hennessey.

Both sides then begun to protest the same decision with the referee, with Newcastle fans feeling a challenge by Mark Randall on Ameobi should have been a penalty, while Wolves felt the Newcastle striker should have been cautioned for diving. Perplexingly, Lee Probert managed to ignore both side's respective appeals and awarded Wolves a goal-kick.

A high, wild and wayward drive from Donaldson was the next attempt the hosts managed, before Javi Garcia was able to block Barton's drive.

The hosts were then the team that were able to pick up the game's opening goal. Jose Enrique advanced down the left flank and hit the ball infield to Barton, who passed it to Alan Smith. A crisp ball from the Newcastle captain picked out Donaldson, whose low drive flew into the bottom corner.

Two in two first team outings for the youngster, who has made the best start to justifying his first team promotion.

Wolves then came close to conceding two in two minutes. Jonas Gutierrez collected the ball and ran rings around Richard Stearman before crossing for Luis Suarez, only for the Uruguayan to head the ball wide of the mark.

Newcastle were still enjoying the better of play, with Jonas picking out Donaldson only for Hennessey to deny him. But the Welsh goalkeeper would be beaten on the next attack.

The initial cross from Suarez was cleared out for an attacking throw-in. Danny Simpson's throw-in was passed back to him by Smith, and the Newcastle full-back lobbed in a cross. Up rose Ameobi, who out-jumped Tal Ben-Haim and buried his header past Hennessey.

The striker has started the season with good form, with two goals to his name, and he is certainly justifying the faith shown in him in the role despite the arrival of two new strikers at St. James' Park.

Wolves were having a desperately poor start and it could have been worse moments later, only for Ameobi to head Suarez's cross into the stands. The striker then put one wide as Newcastle seeked for a game-killing goal.

Sam Vokes was having a frustrating afternoon as Wolves' lone pivot in attack, but he was only able to find the stands.

An unhappy Mick McCarthy deployed a triple substitution at half-time, but his team were almost buried only for Jose Enrique to play a weak shot wide instead of crossing.

Having survived that, Wolves then bought themselves back into the contest. Kevin Foley found his fellow sub Ebanks-Blake, who was able to shimmy the ball around Vertonghen. He passed into Vokes, who opted to pass back to Ebanks-Blake, and the striker slotted the ball beyond Tim Krul to bring his team back into the contest.

Newcastle fans appealed angrily in vain for offside, but they almost put the game beyond doubt, with Hennessey making superb stops to deny Barton and Suarez.

Hennessey continued to give Wolves hope when he made a very smart stop to deny Jonas, while away fans were chanting for their heroes to get the goal back.

Wolves almost equalised moments later, when Foley's effort looped off Simpson and was kept out by Krul, before Andrew Surman inexplicably managed to miss the target.

Foley then came close again when he rose highest to a cross and he sent his header beyond Krul but could only hit the bar.

Newcastle nearly put the game beyond Wolves only for Hennessey to deny Vertonghen, while Vokes and Ebanks-Blake wasted strikers when well placed.

In the end, Newcastle were able to ride out the game to pick up their second win out of two, and with it, keep up their early form at the start of the new Premier League season. This is certainly a promising start for the new season for the Magpies, as they seek to avenge their failure to reach the European places last year.

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Vertonghen, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Smith, Barton (Guthrie 69) - Suarez, Donaldson, Jonas - Ameobi (Jones 84)
Subs not used: Begovic, Edgar, Thygesen, Dembele, Carroll
Booked: Jose Enrique, Vertonghen, Smith, Barton

Scorer: Donaldson (23), Ameobi (29)

Wolves: Hennessey - Stearman, Ben-Haim, Mouyokolo, Murphy - Kightly, Milijas, Javi Garcia (Ebanks-Blake 45), Randall (Foley 45), Hunt (Surman 45) - Vokes
Subs not used: Dudek, Zubar, Bera, Helan
Booked: Stearman, Ben-Haim, Javi Garcia, Kightly, Hunt, Milijas

Scorer: Ebanks-Blake (52)

Referee: Lee Probert
Attendance: 56,291

Two tight wins out of two. Long way to go yet but doing better so far than the 2011-12 campaign Newcastle managed in real life, and if we could even match the 5th that ended in, that would be very nice. Just as long as we don't do that and then follow it up by managing the 2012-13 season Newcastle managed in reality.

Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez has confirmed he wants to leave the club and has had a transfer request accepted.

The Argentinean has been interesting AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur of late, and has admitted after talks with his club's manager Sven-Goran Eriksson that he feels he now has to leave the club.

Jonas had started both of his team's opening Premier League fixtures, and scored a goal in their opening game against Sunderland.

In a statement, he said, "I have enjoyed my spell as a Newcastle United player but the time has come for me to take my leave. I don't feel like I am going to progress by remaining a part of this football club, and I want to play in the Champions League, so I have filed in a transfer request.

"The club have said they want to acquire a replacement first and if picked, I will try and give it my best. But I do want to leave Newcastle."

The winger joined Newcastle in 2008 from Real Mallorca, and has been a mainstay of the team ever since. He was voted the team's player of the year in 2010/11.

Newcastle manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has stated, "I was aware Jonas wanted to leave and I made it clear to him that I wanted to keep him at Newcastle United, feeling that he would be a player to help us reach our aspirations. But he was not to be convinced for staying at our club, which is unfortunate because he is a player we enjoy at Newcastle United Football Club.

"We will not stand in his way if a suitable offer is made, but we want a suitable offer or to acquire a replacement first. If not, we will keep him, and we are confident he will stay and perform to his maximum capabilities beforehand."

Newcastle have announced some success with contract talks for other players in their squad, with Shola Ameobi, Jose Enrique and Sebastien Bassong signing new contracts at St. James' Park.

Bassong had been interesting AC Milan, Marseille and Chelsea. He has signed a new five year contract at the club, which includes a pay rise.

The other two of Newcastle's new extensions have been to players whose contracts were set to expire at the end of the campaign. Jose Enrique has picked up a three year extension to a contract that was set to expire at the end of the 2011-12 campaign.

Long term Newcastle stalwart Ameobi has also been handed an extension. He has signed a new one year extension to his existing deal at St. James' Park, to prolong a first team stay that has lasted since 2000.

There is as yet no discussion on contract talks for Danny Guthrie and Joey Barton, whose contracts are also due to expire at the end of the season, although Newcastle are reportedly considering buying a replacement in the current transfer window.

Danny Simpson scored and was later sent off as Newcastle swept past Swindon Town in the Carling Cup.

The full-back's drive gave the Magpies the advantage in Wiltshire with a superb strike. New signing Moussa Dembele scored his first goal to double the Magpie's advantage, before Andy Carroll ensured Newcastle's progression to round three with a goal just after half-time.

Simpson's dismissal did re-start Newcastle's unenviable talent in collecting red cards for the new season, but they held out to register their first clean sheet of the competitive season alongside their third win from three in all competitions.

League One Swindon had begun the contest with outside aspirations of upsetting the Premier League giants, but in truth, rarely troubled Asmir Begovic.

Things could have gone differently had Michael Timlin's long range bolt gone below the crosbar rather than over it, although it took a superb stop from by Sam Cowler to stop Carroll's header giving the Magpies the early advantage.

Newcastle were patient with their goals of scoring against the League One hosts, and they took the lead after a quarter of an hour. Jonas Gutierrez's initial cross had been headed clear by Billy Paynter, but only as far as Simpson, whose direct hit flew into the back of the net. The strike was a first goal in almost 18 months for the former Manchester United player.

Swindon manager Leroy Rosenior urged his players to go forward and they were presented with a chance, only for Alex Revell to put it over the top.

Newcastle then came closer to shutting the door on their hosts, with Mikkel Thygesen, Simpson and Carroll sending strikes over the top of the goal.

When they calibrated their shots with accuracy, the visitors found themselves two goals ahead. The ball was played infield to Joey Barton, who laid the ball off for William Kvist. The out of favour Dane calibrated a great ball forward for Dembele, who stroked the ball into the bottom corner.

A first goal in English football for the summer signing from AZ Alkmaar, who was clearly delighted to finally get off the mark.

Cowler was then employed as the half reached the end, making stops to deny Barton and Carroll.

Swindon begun the second half knowing one goal could bring them back into the game, but instead they wound up conceding the game's third goal.

A poor clearance from the goalkeeper was intercepted by Barton. The captain for the day flicked the ball into Carroll, who broke clear and scored. A first goal of the season for the Newcastle number nine, who has found himself out of the team so far this year and put himself back in the reckoning for league starts.

It looked as though Newcastle had sealed their progression into the next round, although their infamously poor disciplinary record reared its head again when they received their 18th dismissal of Sven' three years, and their first of the new campaign. Simpson had already been booked when he went sliding in on Timlin, and he was duly sent off the playing field.

Swindon began to create some opportunities, with Nathan Thompson seeing a free-kick swerve off target, and Revell forced a smart stop out of Begovic.

Neither side proved accurate with their shooting for the remainder of the contest, although how Revell missed an effort when well placed in injury time is a mystery.

In the end, it was a fairly simple progression for Newcastle, who even after the dismissal of Simpson, were rarely troubled their League One opponents and will be in the Round Three draw later this week.

Swindon: Cowler - Thompson (Jean-Francois 73), Morrison, Greer, Timlin - Revell, Douglas, Fotheringham (Kennedy 45), O'Brien - Pimpong (Easton 34), Paynter
Subs not used: Stowell, Talbot, McNamee, Freeman
Booked: Timlin

Newcastle: Begovic - Simpson, Jones, Vertonghen (Bassong 67), Jose Enrique - Kvist, Barton - Jonas, Thygesen, Dembele - Carroll (Kadar 53)
Subs not used: Krul, Smith, Duff, Donaldson, Suarez
Booked: Simpson, Vertonghen, Barton
Sent Off: Simpson (52)

Scorer: Simpson (15), Dembele (33), Carroll (49)

Referee: Keith Hill
Attendance: 12,691

Late goals from Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez saw Newcastle beat Middlesbrough to make it three wins from three.

With 85 minutes on the clock, it looked as though newly promoted Middlesbrough had done well to earn a point against their North East rivals.

But their resistance was broken by sub Carroll, who scored his second goal in a week after scoring in the Carling Cup, before Suarez wrapped up the points with his first goal since joining Newcastle in the summer from Ajax.

It was tough to take for visiting manager Gareth Southgate, who had arrived on the back of league and cup wins and had given good account of themselves against their rivals.

They did have the game's earliest opportunities. Shaun Maloney and Federico Macheda were wholly inaccurate with their efforts, but much more accurate was Gary O'Neill, whose half volley was expertly tipped away by Tim Krul.

Newcastle's first opportunity of a largely dour first half fell to Suarez, whose header was always going wide.

Similarly inaccurate was Macheda when he steered the ball wide when well placed, before referee Dean Coventry managed the feat of upsetting both teams with the same decision.

Newcastle players argued with the official, feeling that a challenge by Andrew Taylor on Jonas Gutierrez constituted a penalty. At the same time, Middlesbrough players were arguing, feeling a challenge on Justin Hoyte by Sebastien Bassong was a foul on the Middlesbrough defender. Instead, the referee opted for a Newcastle throw-in after Jamie Ashdown had kicked the ball out of play so Hoyte could get treatment - a decision neither team seem overly pleased with.

The best chance of the whole half came with 45 minutes on the clock, with Robert Lewandowski - a player Newcastle thought about signing - evading Bassong's challenge and firing a goalbound effort that Krul did superbly well in parrying.

Newcastle then got a similarly great chance of their own. Jose Enrique's cross was poorly headed by David Wheater to Ryan Donaldson, only for Ashdown to make a superb stop to deny the youngster's half-volley.

Middlesbrough had the better of the early stages of the second-half, but like the hosts, spent none of it really looking like they might be able to break the deadlock.

They were presented a chance when they got a free-kick, which saw Krul pull off the stop to deny Julio Arca.

With a fairly terrible half drawing to a conclusion, Southgate urged his players to attack, but it was Newcastle who begun to make chances, with Joey Barton denied by Ashdown and Alan Smith seeing a strike land wide.

It looked as though both sides would be inept at finishing all the way to the full time whistle, but with four minutes left on the clock, it was Newcastle who forced a breakthrough.

It was a very simple goal as well. A short throw-in from Jones picked out Donaldson, who cued up Jones to make a cross. His ball picked out the substitute Carroll, who climbed above Boro sub Tony McMahon to bury his header into the top corner.

A first Premier League goal of the season for the Newcastle number 9, who has so far been overlooked in favour of Shola Ameobi, and will feel this goal and his strike in the Carling Cup has forced his way back into contention for the starting berth.

Middlesbrough fans urged their team to attack, but four minutes later, they conceded again to end the game as a contest. An angled pass from the back picked out Newcastle sub Mikkel Thygesen, whose cross was deflected off Emannuel Pogatez into the path of Suarez, who tapped it in.

A first goal for the Uruguayan since his big money move from Ajax in the summer, and the first of what the Newcastle fans in the stadium are hoping will be many strikes in their colours.

There was no coming back from this for Middlesbrough, who had given a good account of themselves but were left to rue almost complete inaccuracy in their shooting, and they return back to Teeside pointless.

Newcastle will be very pleased with their afternoon's work, which means they now have three wins out of three, and they will be very pleased with the good start they have made following their big money summer.

Newcastle: Krul - Jones, Vertonghen, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Barton (Thygesen 82), Smith - Suarez, Donaldson, Jonas (Dembele 45) - Ameobi (Carroll 75)
Subs not used: Begovic, Kadar, Kvist, Duff
Booked: Smith

Scorer: Carroll (86), Suarez (90)

Middlesbrough: Ashdown - Hoyte (McMahon 70), Wheater, Pogatez, Taylor - O'Neil, Digard, Smallwood, Maloney (Arca 45) - Lewandowski (Bednar 45), Macheda
Subs not used: Jones, St. Ledger, Grounds, Lita
Booked: Bednar

Referee: Dean Coventry
Attendance: 56,387

Newcastle have confirmed the signing of Geona utility player Anthony Vanden Borre on a season-long loan.

The Belgian full back will join the North East club on a season long loan from Serie A, and will likely be used as a back-up and rotation option following the summer sale or Ryan Taylor.

Vanden Borre is not a stranger to the Premier League, having played on loan for Portsmouth during the 2009-10 campaign, where he made 24 appearances.

Newcastle manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said, "As a club we lack options defensively. We made a good signing in the form of Jan Vertonghen, who looks like he will be a good player, but beyond the first team, we lack options, and in the event of an injury crisis, we would be exceedingly vulnerable.

"Anthony is a very highly recommended player and certainly will be a very capable option to have. If he also plays well enough, he has a chance to play in the first team, and we look forward to having him as a part of the first team squad at Newcastle United."

The club confirmed they will pay a loan fee of just over a million pounds, with a future fee of £3million agreed in case Newcastle decide to make the move permanent.

Lille winger Gervinho has had his work permit application rejected, ending his move to Newcastle.

The Magpies had a £12million bid accepted by the French side earlier this week, and had agreed terms, but couldn't get a UK work permit for the Ivorian winger, and have confirmed the deal will now no longer take place.

The deal has come as a disappointment to Gervinho, who wants to leave Lille after two years playing for the French side, and also as a disappointment for Newcastle, who are in talks with AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur over a deal to transfer Jonas Gutierrez.

Newcastle are still expected to be in the market for a replacement for Jonas, with reports the club have tabled a bid for Celtic's attacking midfielder Aiden McGeady.

Newcastle winger Jonas Gutierrez has joined AC Milan for six and a half million pounds.

The Argentine winger had been a mainstay of the Newcastle squad since joining the team in 2008 but had filed a transfer request to leave the North East club earlier in the summer.

Newcastle had also received a bid for the player from Tottenham Hotspur, but confirmed the bid submitted by the London club was of insufficient value and was rejected.

Speaking to the AC Milan website, Jonas said, "I am delighted to join one of football's biggest clubs. Every player grows up wanting to play for AC Milan and I am pleased that after some difficulties in getting a sale done earlier, Newcastle and Milan finally agreed the deal and it is a delight to have made the move to Italy. I look forward to playing for the club in the UEFA Champions League, and also look forward to doing my very best to trying to help the team win the Serie A title."

Jonas joined Newcastle in the summer window in 2008 for four and a half million pounds. In all, he made 106 league appearances for the Premier League side, and scored 16 times. He was also voted the Fans' Player of the Year for the 2009/10 season.

Newcastle are expected to be busy on tomorrow's transfer deadline day, with the club locked in negotiations with Celtic to try and sign Aiden McGeady after the collapse of a deal to sign Gervinho following his work permit denial. The club are also believed to be considering signing an additional central midfielder, with the club reportedly at an impasse in contract negotiations with central midfielders Alan Smith, Joey Barton and Danny Guthrie - all three of whom are on deals that expire at the end of the current campaign.

Newcastle confirmed two other players left the club today, with Coventry City signing goalkeeper Ole Soderberg, and the club loaning their highly rated youngster Liam Henderson to their feeder club Hartlepool United.

Swedish youngster Soderberg joined the Championship side for three hundred thousand pounds, and ends an association with Newcastle that started when he moved from Swedish side Hacken in 2007. He spent a spell on loan with Burton Albion last season, but has now made a permanent transfer to the West Midlands.

Meanwhile, Henderson will join League One Hartlepool on a season long loan. He is the third player to join the Pools under the term of Newcastle's parent club relationship, following the moves of Ben Tozer and Fabio Zamblera last season.

Newcastle have confirmed the signing of Rasmus Elm from AZ Alkmaar and the season-long loan of AC Milan midfielder James Rodriguez.

The duo were late window additions to the North East side, with the deal for Elm wrapped up in the final two hours of the window. He will cost the club around nine and three quarter million pounds.

Elm is a Swedish international, with 4 goals and 21 caps to his name. He made 42 appearances for AZ Alkmaar, and is the second player to move from Alkmaar to Newcastle in the summer transfer window, following the free transfer of Moussa Dembele earlier in the transfer window.

Newcastle's other transfer window signing is Rodriguez, who joins on a season long loan from AC Milan, with a fee of around two and a half million pounds changing hands.

This will be a second season in the Premier League for Rodriguez, after he spent the second half of last season on loan with Bristol City, for whom he made 14 appearances. He has also made 17 caps for the Colombian national team, but is yet to score a national team goal.

A late goal from Victor Anichebe saw Leeds beat ten man Newcastle to get their first Premier League win in seven years.

Newcastle had captain and former Leeds player Alan Smith sent off on the half-hour and fell behind just after half-time to a wonder goal from Johnny Howson.

It looked as though Newcastle had secured a point through Ryan Donaldson's third goal of the season, but Leeds re-took the advantage through Anichebe and held on to secure their first Premier League win since beating Blackburn in April 2004.

It was a moment to savour for Leeds manager Simon Grayson, who has masterminded Leeds' rise from League One straight back into the Premier League and finally has three points back at the top flight, with the team having picked up only one point from a tough opening quartet that included Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Newcastle did have the game's first opportunity, with highly rated youngster Donaldson going close, only for Alan Martin to have a simple stop from his header.

Martin's opposite number Tim Krul was also forced into early action, with the Newcastle keeper denying Carlton Cole's header.

The Magpies had tried to probe their way through, and came close when Moussa Dembele picked out Shola Ameobi, only for the Newcastle mainstay to head over the top.

Similarly inaccurate was Leeds full back Edu Albacar, whose swerving free-kick was always in motion away from the goal rather than towards it.

Newcastle's gameplan was then torn apart when they received their first Premier League red card of the season, and their 15th Premier League red card under Sven-Goran Eriksson's management. Barely minutes after being booked for tripping up Cole, Smith barged over Miroslav Radovic and was duly shown a second yellow and consequent red by Steve Bennett.

It was perhaps the worst way for Smith to mark his first return to Elland Road since leaving the club in 2004, and he was duly sarcastically applauded from the field.

Newcastle re-shuffled their pack, with the more defensively minded Billy Jones bought on, and managed to contain Leeds nicely. They even came close to a goal in first half stoppage time, with Martin pulling off a flying stop to deny Donaldson.

Leeds were again frustrated at the start of the second half, with the air being they would need either a wonder goal or a Newcastle error to take the lead.

Five minutes into the half, they well and truly got the former. The danger seemed to have transpired when Jose Enrique cleared Edu Albacar's cross, until it reached the foot of Howson. The midfielder let fly, with a superb 25 yard volley flying sweetly from his boot to the top corner, with Krul nothing more than a spectator.

A first Premier League goal for the academy product, who was clearly delighted with his maiden top flight strike, and the goal was celebrated as loudly as possible by the assembled supporters.

Now it was Newcastle's turn to be frustrated by a home defence, and the visitors could have found themselves two down, were it not for a superb stop by Krul to deny Jacob Mellis' swerving half volley.

Krul then had to be on hand to deny Edu Albacar as Leeds looked more likely to get the game's second goal. But with eight minutes remaining on the clock, Newcastle surprised the home crowd with an equaliser.

Dembele flicked the ball infield to Donaldson, who ran a little before teeing it out wide to Andy Carroll. The visiting substitute advanced down the left flank before pinging in a cross that picked out Donaldson, who tapped it in.

A third Premier League goal for the youngster, who is having a stellar introduction to life as a Premier League player.

Leeds almost restored their advantage within seconds of the restart, and only a top save from Krul denied Howson. But the Whites were back in front just two minutes after Newcastle had levelled.

A long clearance from Patrick Kisnorbo was flicked on by Howson to Robert Snodgrass, who advanced down the flank. His crisp ball was seized upon by Anichebe, who ran clear and finished the ball into the bottom corner.

A first Premier League goal for the January signing from Everton, and Leeds were now dreaming again of taking their first top-flight points.

Newcastle manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was animated moments later, with the referee opting not to send off Howson for two yellows despite making a similar foul to the one that had earned his skipper a dismissal.

In truth, the visitors were terrible and duly whimpered to their first loss of the campaign, and with successive fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal looming, they picked a bad time and place to manage it.

By contrast, Leeds fans were in raptures as they finally marked their return to English football's top flight with a three point collection, and they will be especially eager to see if they can begin to kick-on and solidify a spot in the top tier.

Leeds: Martin - Gunter (Eardley 30), Pearce, Mee, Edu Albacar - Radovic (Kisnorbo 45), Mellis (Kilkenny 83), Howson, Snodgrass - Cole, Anichebe
Subs not used: Higgs, Robinson, Parry Beckford
Booked: Howson, Anichebe, Eardley

Scorer: Howson (50), Anichebe (84)

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Vertonghen (Carroll 55), Bassong, Jose Enrique (Thygesen 88) - Smith, Barton - Suarez (Jones 31), Donaldson, Dembele - Ameobi
Subs not used: Begovic, Kadar, Elm, Rodriguez
Booked: Jose Enrique, Bassong, Smith
Sent Off: Smith (30)

Scorer: Donaldson (82)

Referee: Steve Bennett
Attendance: 39,731

Two goals in three second half minutes saw Newcastle beat Chelsea and make it back-to-back away league defeats for Roberto Mancini.

There was very little in the contest until Ryan Donaldson gave Newcastle the lead 13 minutes into the second half. Mikkel Thygesen then added a second for the home team with his first contribution after coming off the bench, who held on to bounce back from last week's defeat at Leeds with their third home win of the season.

It was a bad afternoon for Chelsea, whose first game following a dislocated shoulder that ruled out Petr Cech turned out to coincide with a misfire in their attack.

The West Londoners had begun the encounter with the best of the attacking play. But while Daniel Sturridge and Frank Lampard were inaccurate with their early efforts, John Obi Mikel did manage to get a strike on target, and in the process forced a smart stop out of Tim Krul.

Home debutant Rasmus Elm was the first to try their luck for the first home team, with his effort easily saved by Matej Delac.

Lampard seemed to be on a mission to score a wondergoal whenever the ball fell to him in vaguely shooting range, but his next attempt was closer to the corner flag than the corner of the net.

Delac was then required, with the Chelsea goalkeeper making a routine stop to deny Sebastien Bassong.

Chelsea should have taken the lead moments later, but when well placed, Sturridge could only contrive to put his strike into the advertising boards.

One-time Newcastle target Demba Ba was also close to finding the net when played through by Lampard, but he was similarly inaccurate.

Almost more accurate was Yury Zhirkov, with the Russian's corner almost doubling back into the goal and having to be scrambled out of harm's way by Tim Krul.

Chelsea opted to change the goalkeepers around at half-time and Newcastle came close to testing new keeper Ross Turnbull when Donaldson picked out Elm, only for the Swede to fire over.

The Blues were then on the front foot, with Ba forcing an acrobatic stop out of Krul and Michael Essien heading wide from the resulting corner.

Newcastle thought they were about to sweep into the lead when Luis Suarez played in Elm, and the Swede's ferocious drive was tipped onto the bar by Turnbull.

It was then Chelsea's turn to have a go in an increasingly busy half, with Krul making a fine stop to deny Nicolas Anelka.

The stop proved to be crucial as Newcastle's next attack yielded a goal. A neat passing play between Newcastle players eventually allowed Joey Barton to find Jose Enrique, who was able to nip in ahead of Jose Bosingwa. The Spanish full-back's cross evaded Essien and landed for Donaldson, who tapped the ball into the net.

A fourth goal of the season for the youngster, who has broken into the first team with gusto this summer, and who looks at home in the first team.

Within minutes of that, the Magpies were two up. Donaldson received Jose Enrique's throw-in and laid it off for Elm, who played a fantastic ball for Thygesen. The Dane evaded Chelsea defenders and broke into the penalty area, before he played a crisp shot beyond the former Middlesbrough keeper Turnbull.

Newcastle fans were in quickfire dreamland, with two goals in three minutes suddenly giving the Magpies a cushion on their opponents.

It could even have been worse for the Blues, with a superb defensive intervention from John Terry denying Suarez a one-on-one with Turnbull.

Elm then fired two waywardly off target, before Newcastle began to comfortably neutralise a Chelsea attack that was running on little ideas.

Chelsea's best attempt to getting back into the encounter fell to Ba, but his header was nowhere near finding the target.

Zhirkov sent one wide as Chelsea failed to break down a black and white wall, while Turnbull was equal to a Barton strike that took deflections off Branislav Ivanovic and Donaldson on its way through.

Turnbull then made a good stop to deny Moussa Dembele a first Premier League goal for the Magpies, but in truth, the game was over as a contest for a while and Newcastle were home and dry on the back of a fine result against the 2005 and 2006 Premier League champions.

Chelsea go back to the drawing board, and will have to figure out a better way to cope with the absence of their highly commended goalkeeper.

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Vertonghen (Jones 80), Bassong, Jose Enrique - Elm, Barton (Vanden Borre 90) - Suarez, Donaldson, Dembele - Carroll (Thygesen 59)
Subs not used: Begovic, Guthrie, Rodriguez, Ameobi
Booked: Bassong, Barton

Scorer: Donaldson (58), Thygesen (61)

Chelsea: Delac (Turnbull 45) - Bosingwa, Geromel, Terry, Cole - Mikel (Ivanovic 45), Lampard, Essien, Zhirkov - Ba, Sturridge (Anelka 51)
Subs not used: Mancienne, Elano, Boudebouz, Donovan
Booked: Cork, Essien

Referee: Phil Dowd
Attendance: 53,138

Newcastle progressed into the Fourth Round of the Carling Cup after an easy victory over Championship side Leicester at St. James' Park.

First half strikes from Shola Ameobi and William Kvist gave Newcastle a lead that Leicester rarely looked like overcoming, before Luis Suarez added some gloss to the scoreline with a third goal late on in the contest.

Despite a number of players being rested by Newcastle manager Sven-Goran Eriksson ahead of their game against Manchester United, they were rarely troubled.

The game might have gone differently had Leicester taken the game's opening opportunity, which saw Paul Gallagher break free and see a drive superbly tipped away by Asmir Begovic.

Having rode out that one, Newcastle duly swept into the advantage. Kvist played a crisp ball out wide for Mikkel Thygesen, who broke free of Dean Lewington's attention and sent in a zipping low delivery to Ameobi, who gobbled it up.

A third goal of the campaign for the Newcastle number 23, who has certainly had a good start to justify his contract extension.

Fourteen minutes later and Newcastle scored a very nice second. Jose Enrique's throw-in was picked up by Alan Smith, and the captain picked out Kvist. In front of his watching national team manager, the Danish midfielder spun the ball around Michael Morrison and then whacked a powerful effort into the top corner.

A superb way for Kvist to force his way back into the first team picture following speculation he had played his last game for the club.

Leicester again had and then blew a chance to make things interesting, with Andy King seizing on Tamas Kadar's missed interception only to his his strike over the bar. But the visitor's chances were then damaged further when Gallagher limped out of action with what his manager Lee Clark later confirmed to be knee ligament damage.

Even despite that, the Foxes did have chances, only for Yann Kermorgant to clear the crossbar twice.

Newcastle almost killed the game off in first half injury time, with the ball dropping kindly for Ameobi, who forced a diving save from Chris Weale.

The visitors where then close again in the opening stages of the second half, with Kadar reaching a nicely delivered corner from Damien Duff only to head over the top.

Morrison wasn't far away from bringing Leicester back into it, but the centre back's header drifted beyond the wrong side of the post.

Weale then had to prevent his team from falling three down, with the goalkeeper blocking Thygesen's header.

Leicester were still searching for chances but not taking them, with Richie Wellens' free-kick deflected wide and Fryatt heading over.

But the Magpies were still looking for a third, and almost got it when Weale had to pull off a stretching dive to deny Jose Enrique.

Both goalkeepers then had to work their muscles, with Begovic denying Fryatt moments before Weale denied Thygesen's searching drive.

Weale then pulled off an even better stop, with the goalkeeper making a superb stop to tip substitute Suarez's drive onto the post and out of harm's way.

With 11 minutes to go, the Magpies then found themselves a third strike and duly ended the game as a contest. It came when James Rodriguez received the ball in the middle of the turf and laid it back for Kvist, who threaded it through for Suarez. Despite Jack Hobbs' frenzied appeal for offside, play continued and Suarez sent a spinning daisy cutter into the bottom corner.

A second Newcastle goal for the big money summer signing from Ajax, and his manager will hope it can start a scoring run.

Suarez missed a chance for a second late on but in truth the game was already won and Newcastle will book their place in Round Four after a very nice victory against the Foxes.

Newcastle: Begovic - Vanden Borre, Jones, Kadar, Jose Enrique (Vertonghen 81) - Kvist, Smith (Simpson 77) - Thygesen, Rodriguez, Duff - Ameobi (Suarez 64)
Subs not used: Krul, Elm, Donaldson, Dembele
Booked: Kadar

Scorer: Ameobi (13), Kvist (27), Suarez (79)

Leicester: Weale - Neilson (Stepanov 80), Morrison, Hobbs, Lewington - Contra, Wellens, King, Dyer - Gallagher (Fryatt 37), Kermorgant (Brown 80)
Subs not used: Lillis, O'Neill, Rogers, N'Guessan

Referee: Mike Jones
Attendance: 47,499

Newcastle United manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has confirmed Luis Suarez can have a leave of absence if he continues to struggle to adjust.

The club's £12million summer signing from Ajax had said in a post-match interview after his team's Carling Cup success over Leicester that he was struggling to adjust to life in the North East of England.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's clash with Manchester United at St. James' Park, Eriksson confirmed the club may consider giving Suarez a leave of absence if the struggle to adapt to English football continues.

He said, "Obviously, we want Luis to succeed but we also want our player to feel like he can do things to the best of his ability and if his form reaches the point where the feels he needs time off to help, then so be it.

"We hope it doesn't have to come this. I like Luis, who has shown some good moments since coming, and we all appreciate it can take time for players to adjust to England. We want him to succeed and so too would our supporters, who have so far been good to Luis and like us, want him to be a success.

"I talked over this with the boardroom and a month is available if we think he needs it. So far, we think he should be ok to play games and if he can follow up the goal he got against Leicester with some more then we think he should be able to adjust a bit better."

Newcastle play Manchester United seeking to continue a good start, which has seen them win four games out of their opening five in the Barclays Premier League.

Although Manchester United arrive in the North East on the back of four games without a win, Eriksson insists they will be tough opposition.

He said, "So far this season, Manchester United have started slowly, but just because they start slowly does not mean we can bank on them continuing that. We have to be aware that despite this poor form, they still have some highly talented players who will cause us problems.

"If we can get the victory then we have still done very well, and we do want the victory. We have made a very good start and we want to win every game we play, and have had a good week so far with the wins against Chelsea and Leicester. So another one will do very nicely for us."

Dimitar Berbatov grabbed a last equaliser as Manchester United struggled to a draw at Newcastle.

Mikkel Thygesen, who had scored the winner in this fixture a season ago, had looked to have given Newcastle the victory against the Mancunians, but Berbatov was able to grab a strike in the last five minutes.

However, the result prolongs Manchester United's poor start to the new campaign, with the club now without a league win since beating Leeds on August 17th. It keeps up the pressure on Sir Alex Ferguson, who is already under fire after the club finished outside the European places last season.

With memories of the double whammy of recent home defeats by Arsenal and Sheffield United still in mind, Manchester United had looked to get an early goal and did find the net when Nani turned home Berbatov's cross. But the assistant referee had spotted that Nani had strayed offside, and the goal was duly ruled out.

The Portugese winger was the visitor's biggest threat early on and came close again moments later, with his swerving effort smashing off the crossbar and out of touch.

Manchester United were the busier team early on and were testing Newcastle's defensive unit, but despite the early pressure, they failed to make it count on the scoresheet.

They were then punished further. A throw-in was picked up by Alan Smith, who tucked the ball infield for Rasmus Elm. The Swedish midfielder played a fizzing pass for Thygesen, Despite away appeals for an offside, Thygesen continued and finished.

The Dane scored the winner when the two sides met at St. James' Park last season, and once more had given the Magpies the advantage against the 18-time champions.

While Newcastle held a scoresheet advantage, Manchester United still had the majority of the ball and the best opportunities. But while they did have the chances, they were very poor at giving them accuracy, with Wayne Rooney blasting two attempts at the spectacular wildly off target.

Efforts by Wes Brown and Darren Fletcher were similarly inaccurate, with the Scot's complaints that Jose Enrique had illegally put him off ignored by referee Dean Coventry.

As half-time approached, Manchester United were still dominating play and still getting nowhere near finding the back of the net. Tim Krul was able to watch the ball as first Berbatov and then Carrick failed to find the net with efforts.

The visitors continued their profligacy at the start of the second half, with Carrick and Berbatov again inaccurate with attempts on goal.

Nani then increased the number of inaccurate attempts on goal, before Manchester United finally had a shot on target on 63 minutes. In truth, it was a weak effort, with Filipe seeing his effort easily stopped by Tim Krul.

Newcastle then almost surprised the visitors with their first real effort of the half, with Edwin van der Saar making the top to deny a swerving Joey Barton effort.

Manchester United were beginning to run out of ideas but fel they should have had a penalty, with Sebastien Bassong ruled to played the ball rather than fouling Rooney.

Newcastle then almost put the game beyond the visitors, with Luis Suarez played through by Ryan Donaldson and seeing a brilliant drive that van der Saar did superbly well in denying.

That save would prove very crucial. A quick throw-in by Patrice Evra picked up Rooney, who laid it off for Carrick. The Newcastle-born midfielder threaded through a great ball for Berbatov, who beat the last man and fired it beyond Krul.

A crisp finish at St. James' Park for the boyhood Newcastle supporter, and crucially, it bought his team back on level terms.

Manchester United had a late chance to win it, but Danny Welbeck's header was as wildly inaccurate as most of his team's shooting.

Newcastle could have punished the visitors for their repeated profligacy, with only a superb defensive tackle from Wes Brown denying James Rodriguez a one-on-one shooting attempt.

It ultimately finished all square, with Newcastle maintaining their unbeaten home record in the Premier League as they seek to get into European competition after a five year absence. By contrast, Manchester United have been starting the season in a very poor fashion, and their profligacy today summed up why the pressure is mounting on the man who has done so much for the Red Devils. A defeat by West Ham next weekend could make things very uncomfortable indeed.

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Vertonghen, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Elm (Barton 61), Smith - Thygesen, Donaldson (Carroll 88), Suarez - Dembele (Rodriguez 77)
Subs not used: Begovic, Jones, Vanden Borre Ameobi
Booked: Simpson, Elm, Smith

Scorer: Thygesen (24)

Manchester United: van der Saar - Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra - Nani (Hargreaves 73), Fletcher, Carrick, Filipe - Berbatov (Welbeck 86), Rooney
Subs not used: Karcemarskas, Evans, O'Shea, Sissoko, Russell
Booked: Brown

Scorer: Berbatov (85)

Referee: Dean Coventry
Attendance: 56,387

Premier League champions Liverpool endured another frustrating afternoon as they were held to a goalless draw by Newcastle.

In truth, it could have been worse for Rafael Bentiez's side, with Newcastle having the better of the chances in the match and the Magpies having a legitimately penalty appeal rejected late on. But neither side could ultimately do enough to collect three points at Anfield, or indeed score a goal in the clash.

Its a result that does no favours for the champions' hopes of retaining their title, with the Liverpool side failing to get closer to league leaders Arsenal, who had already played a game more before this round of fixtures.

The Reds had been on a high after beating Stuttgart in the Champions League in midweek, but they were almost behind inside the opening minute. A half-cleared corner was eventually returned to original corner taker Jan Vertonghen on the edge of the penalty box, and the Belgian defender's swerving drive was expertly kept out by Pepe Reina.

Liverpool came very close themselves minutes later, with Fernando Torres picked out by Steven Gerrard only to be denied by Tim Krul.

Newcastle were still lively, with Danny Simpson seeing a swerving effort flying over and Jose Enrique reaching a poor Gerrard clearance only to be denied by Reina.

A high and wide effort from Gerrard sailed directly into the Kop, before Newcastle came closer when Rasmus Elm had a long range drive punched clear by Reina.

Liverpool were beginning to rack up possession stats an the odd opportunity, but Newcastle had a better chance when Shola Ameobi rose high to Mikkel Thygesen's delivery only to see his effort touch the bar on its way into the crowd.

The Reds were then even closer to finding the advantage, with a Gerrard header denied by Krul and Torres saw an effort taken out from under him by a superb sliding tackle from visiting captain Alan Smith.

With the half ending, both sides had inaccurate free-kicks, with Gerrard blasting one wide at one end and Vertonghen similarly wayward at the other one.

The first action of the second half saw Smith get his customary yellow card, which was already his fifth of the season to follow a red card he received at Leeds, and with it, another quickfire suspension for the Newcastle captain.

Liverpool then came close on two occasions in quick succession, with Torres seeing an effort denied by Krul and the Dutchman then making another good stop to deny a terribly pedestrian header from Ryan Babel.

Ameobi then wasted three chances as Newcastle came close, with the striker unable to find the target on all occasions.

Newcastle then went close again with Elm seeing a low daisy cutter held by Reina, but the visitors felt they should have had a penalty when Ryan Donaldson went down under a challenge by Daniel Agger, which referee Mike Jones did not penalise.

A superb stop by Reina then denied Luis Suarez as Newcastle tried to find a way through in front of their supporters, and the goalkeeper then made another flying stop to deny Thygesen.

When injury time appeared, Liverpool had a period of sustained pressure. A vicious swerving drive from Gerrard had to be superbly denied by Krul, before Felipe headed over the bar from the resulting corner.

This however was the end of any chances either side could get to find the winning goal, and in truth, it was a case of keepers on top, with Reina and Krul the most decisive performers. But it doesn't help the Liverpool cause for their top flight championship retention, and in truth they didn't have the decisive touch required to find the winner against their well disciplined opponents.

Liverpool: Reina - Carragher, Godin (Agger 45), Filipe, Dossena - Mascherano, Lucas - Kuyt (N'Gog 71), Gerrard, Luis Jimenez (Babel 45) - Torres
Subs not used: Cavalieri, Benayoun, Coeff, Jurado
Booked: Lucas

Newcastle: Krul - Simpson, Vertonghen, Bassong, Jose Enrique - Elm, Smith - Thygesen (Carroll 88), Donaldson (Rodriguez 73), Suarez - Ameobi
Subs not used: Begovic, Jones, Vanden Borre, Kvist, Barton
Booked: Smith

Referee: Mike Jones
Attendance: 45,046

Just caught up on all of this. Great career so far, keep it up!