Allardyce has last laugh as Blackburn end Geordies’ streak

BLACKBURN boss Sam Allardyce was a happy man as he returned to Newcastle and left with three points after winning the tactical battle.

Allardyce was relieved of his duties at St James’ Park in January 2008 after just eight months in charge, but marked his first trip back to Tyneside with a win as the Magpies failed to record a fourth successive Barclays Premier League success last night.

On a night when Andy Carroll did his England chances little harm with a fine goal and Joey Barton once again courted controversy in a clash with Rovers’ Morten Gamst Pedersen, it was the visitors who come out on top after nullifying the threat posed by Carroll and his team-mates for long periods.