Five-star Toon rout Bluebirds to go six clear

Newcastle 5 Cardiff 1

Carroll plundered a double inside a devastating opening 15 minutes and in between, was instrumental in defender Gabor Gyepes putting through his own goal as the home side cruised to victory.

Even Ireland’s Stephen McPhail, playing his first game since returning from treatment for cancer, was unable to stem the tide as Cardiff wilted in the face of a storm and a delighted crowd of 44,028 saw substitute Lovenkrands claim a brace of his own as Chris Hughton’s men extended their unbeaten league run to 15 games.

Hughton fielded all six of his January transfer buys and that meant debuts for another Irishman, Leon Best, and Fitz Hall and a first appearance at St James’ for Patrick van Aanholt.

But it was one of the old guard who struck the first blow with just three minutes gone.

Danny Guthrie’s corner was headed back across goal by Hall and flicked on by Kevin Nolan for Carroll to stab home from close range.

The second came when Carroll’s strike against the foot of the post, but the unfortunate Gyepes could only help the rebound into his own net as the Magpies raced into a 2-0 lead.

Carroll claimed his second and the Geordies’ third when he met Simpson’s inch-perfect cross with an unstoppable header.

In the second half, Dave Jones’ men were enjoying plenty of possession, but were rarely able to threaten and paid with 21 minutes remaining when Routledge fed Lovenkrands and he finished with aplomb.

Lovenkrands made it 5-0 with a fine finish two minutes later – with substitute Aaron Wildig’s late strike scant consolation for the demoralised visitors.

NEWCASTLE: Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Hall (Kadar 82), Van Aanholt, Routledge, Guthrie, Nolan, Gutierrez (Ryan Taylor 79), Carroll, Best (Lovenkrands 60).

CARDIFF: Marshall, Matthews (Kennedy 46), Gyepes, Gerrard, McNaughton, Blake, Whittingham, McPhail (Wildig 75), McCormack, Chopra, Bothroyd (Burke 30).

Referee: Kevin Friend.