Best plugs gap as hunt for striker continues

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND striker Leon Best struck twice to fire Newcastle into the Premier League’s top six but Magpies boss Alan Pardew is desperate to add to his squad before the transfer window closes.

At the end of a week which saw controversial midfielder Joey Barton finally sever his ties with the Magpies in the wake of exits for Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan and Jose Enrique, the men he left behind summoned up the resilience to grind out a 2-1 home victory over Fulham.

Best served a reminder of his determination to win a regular starting place with a decisive double, while Ryan Taylor once again deputised as left-back with owner Mike Ashley, managing director Derek Llambias and club secretary Lee Charnley still trying to plug the gaps into which they slotted ahead of Wednesday night’s transfer deadline.