By Craig Hope

SUPERSUB Peter Lovenkrands came from the bench to bag a double and crown a memorable night for Newcastle United during Friday's 5-1 thrashing of Cardiff City.

The game had appeared to be meandering towards a comfortable 3-0 success for the hosts when the Dane was introduced just after the hour mark.

But Lovenkrands was in no mood to play out the final half hour in second gear and duly set about terrorising a leg-weary Bluebirds backline.

First, he raced onto Wayne Routledge's throughball before poking past David Marshall on 69 minutes and added a second with seven minutes remaining when he drifted infield from the right before dispatching an inch-perfect curler into the Gallowgate End net.

And, after the game, boss Chris Hughton praised the attitude of the eight-goal striker.

"We needed a little injection and Peter certainly gave us that," the 51-year-old gaffer told nufcTV.

"His two goals, especially the second, were very well taken.

"He came into the game when it was probably already won, but he showed a terrific attitude to still make an impact and, as a manager, that is exactly what you're looking for.

"I'm delighted for him because he's been through a lot recently and, with six goals now since the turn of the year, he's in a good run of scoring form."