Pardew joy as Toon get used to life after Carroll

NEWCASTLE registered their first victory of the post-Andy Carroll era last night as goals from Peter Lovenkrands and Republic of Ireland international Leon Best ensured a comfortable success against Birmingham at St Andrew’s.

Lovenkrands opened the scoring after four minutes and then Best struck early in the second period to wrap up the points for the Magpies.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said: “I think it was evident tonight that the players we have can fill the gap after Carroll.