By Craig Hope

CHRIS Hughton admits that Newcastle United's three-goal blitz inside the opening quarter of an hour against Cardiff City was the "dream start" far beyond his most optimistic of hopes.

The Magpies, looking to open a six-point lead at the top of the table, came roaring out of the traps and were ahead inside three minutes when Andy Carroll poked home from close range after Danny Guthrie's corner had been turned back across goal by a combination of debutant Fitz Hall and Kevin Nolan.

That advantage was doubled just three minutes later when Carroll's shot, having crashed off the post, rebounded onto the shins of recovering defender Gabor Gyepes who was helpless in seeing the ball cannon into the back of his own net.

Carroll then soared to head a third from Danny Simpson's lofted centre and the game was all but over as a contest after just 15 minutes.

Peter Lovenkrands came from the bench in the second half to add a well-taken double, before Aaron Wildig nicked a late consolation for the forlorn visitors.

And, speaking after the game, Hughton reflected on that blistering start.

"It was unbelievable and it was the dream start, beyond your wildest dreams probably," he said.

"You always want to start off in a positive fashion but to be three up after 15 minutes was superb.

"You wonder how your team might gel with five new faces so to get that response is obviously very, very pleasing.

"It's won us the game, no doubt, but to carry on after half-time and add two more, when it would've been easy to sit back, was terrific.

"It was a very enjoyable win and I am delighted with the lads."