NEWCASTLE UNITED 2
IPSWICH TOWN 2
Coca-Cola Championship
St.James' Park
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Kick off 3pm

Craig Hope reports from St.James' Park …

FULL-TIME SUMMARY

NEWCASTLE United were crowned champions in front of a sell-out crowd at St.James' Park following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town.

Club captain Nicky Butt, in his last home game, lifted the league trophy alongside Alan Smith in front of a new record Championship attendance of 52, 181.

The Magpies also became only the second team in the club's history to go a whole season unbeaten at home, and set a new club record of 16 consecutive games without defeat.

Victory, though, was snatched from Chris Hughton's men by Jon Walters' 93rd-minute equaliser after Shola Ameobi had fired the hosts in front from the penalty spot with just six minutes remaining.

Andy Carroll (27) had earlier opened the scoring with a bullet header only for 17-year-old striker Connor Whickham (42) to level with a smart finish before the break.

But the day will be remembered for the scenes after the full-time whistle as boss Hughton led his squad on a lap of honour in front of a jubilant Toon Army.

SECOND-HALF UPDATES (click refresh for latest)

And that is the last act of the afternoon. The United boys will now leave the pitch before returning to be presented with the Championship trophy.

90+3min - IPSWICH GOAL (2-2): It looks like United will not sign off from their home campaign with victory as a swift Ipswich breakaway culminates in Jon Walters stabbing home close range.

90min - St.James' Park is absolutely bouncing as a rendition of the Blaydon Races echoes around the stadium.

84min - NEWCASTLE GOAL (2-1): Nicky Butt steals from Norris on the fringe of the penalty area before driving into the box and being felled by Leadbitter - referee Carl Boyeson shows no hesitation in pointing to the spot and it's Shola Ameobi who is going to take responsibility. The Geordie steps up and smashes low into the bottom corner to spark joyous celebration inside St.James' Park!

81min - But The Magpies are on the back foot at the moment and Andy Carroll is forced to head clear at the near post after Connor Whickham had jettisoned a long throw into the United danger zone.

80min - Can United find a winner to crown their home campaign?

76min - A double change for United sees Nicky Butt enter the action in what his final appearance at St.James' Park. Kevin Nolan makes way and so, too, does Danny Guthrie with Joey Barton his replacement.

71min - Former Sunderland wideman Daryl Murphy is replaced by Liam Rosenior.

69min - The impressive Whickham does well to win another corner for the visitors as his cheeky flick deflects behind off Coloccini. Leadbitter hoists high to the far post but Steve Harper's fist emerges amid a sea of heads to punch clear.

66min - Peter Lovenkrands receives a standing ovation from all four corners of the stadium as he makes way for Shola Ameobi.

65min - David Norris is booked for a blatant trip on Wayne Routledge on halfway.

62min - Gutierrez dances into the danger zone before attacking the by-line and cutting a cross into the goalmouth area. Murphy can only palm clear amid bodies but, fortunately for the visitors, Tommy Smith beats Kevin Nolan to the loose ball and swipes to safety.

59min - Carroll feeds strike partner Lovenkrands just outside the area and the Dane's momentum takes him past Jamie Peters. Space opens up for a shot but, with the ball on his weaker right foot, the United man scoops into the Leazes End from 12 yards.

56min - The Magpies have a free-kick just one yard outside of the visiting penalty area but Danny Guthrie is unable to get his clip both over the wall and on target and the effort sails over the crossbar.

55min - Again Town earn themselves a corner, this time delivered by Colback, but again they fail to trouble Steve Harper as McAuley sends a looping header well clear of the United target.

51min - Grant Leadbitter fashions half a yard for a strike 20 yards out but his deflected effort is gathered with ease by Steve Harper.

47min - As was the case in the first half Ipswich start with attacking intent and win a corner on the right. Leadbitter floats to the edge of the six-yard area and Tommy Smith, having gotten the better of Andy Carroll, should score but somehow flashes a header over the crossbar with the whole goal to aim at.

There's been no changes at the break as the two side re-emerge for the second period.

FIRST-HALF UPDATES

And half-time arrives with the scores level.

There will be one minute added time.

44min - And The Tractor Boys almost find themselves in front when former Sunderland midfielder Grant Leadbitter drills a low effort just inches wide of the United frame from 20 yards.

42min - IPSWICH GOAL (1-1): Teenage striker Connor Whickham produces a finish of the highest order as he collects a long ball downfield before using his first touch to control and second to smash low beyond Steve Harper from 12 yards out - that was a superb strike from the 17-year-old.

40min - The game's first booking comes the way of David Wright as he slides to upend Jonas Gutierrez on the East Stand touchline.

37min - Guthrie looks to slip Routledge clear but overcooks his pass and Murphy gratefully claims - a better ball and the winger was in the clear.

36min - United's full house has been confirmed with a new Championship record - 52, 181! It could be a while before that record is beaten.

32min - Jon Walters attempts an overhead-kick inside the area but merely succeeds in drawing large cheers of derision of the home crowd as he falls on his back before swiping at fresh air!

27min - NEWCASTLE GOAL (1-0): A patient United build-up ultimately yields the opening goal as a string of passes inside the opposition third culminates in Wayne Routledge sweeping a left-wing centre to the edge of the six-yard area where Andy Carroll soars to plant an unstoppable header into the far corner of the net leaving Brian Murphy no chance - that's the Geordie's 19th of the season and puts him one ahead of Kevin Nolan in the scoring charts.

23min - We're losing count of Ipswich's corner count as again they win a flag-kick on the right. Leadbitter lofts to the far post but Andy Carroll wins his aerial duel with Connor Whickham and heads to safety.

20min - Gutierrez floats over from the left but Lovenkrands out-stretched heel inadvertently takes the ball away from the brow of Carroll diving to connect eight yards out.

17min - Kevin Nolan's stiff challenge to dispossess Wright presents Gutierrez with the chance to drive into the area from the left. The Argentine jinks by one red shirt but defensive reinforcements soon arrive to crowd out the winger and Ipswich clear.

12min - Town again win a flag-kick but this time United deal with the threat with minimal fuss and clear at the near post.

8min - Andy Carroll, chasing a long punt in behind the Ipswich backline, wins his race with a hesitant Brian Murphy in the Town goal. The Geordie striker has Lovenkrands in support but his attempted square for the Dane lacks power and Murphy is able to recover and gather.

6min - United have settled now after a nervy start and will probably be a little relieved to still be on level terms.

2min - The visitors come flying out of the traps and win three successive corners which United manage to defend without concession. However, Steve Harper was forced into a goal-line block with his boot after Jon Walters had fired through bodies.

A raucous Geordie welcome greets the champions as they emerge onto a sun-drenched St.James' playing surface.

TEAM NEWS

ARGENTINE duo Jonas Gutierrez and Fabricio Coloccini have both been passed fit and start for today's final home game of the season.

Peter Lovenkrands is also recalled to the starting XI as United revert to a 4-4-2 system.

Steve Harper, bidding for his 22^nd clean sheet of the season, mans the posts with a back four made up of Danny Simpson, Coloccini, Mike Williamson and Jose Enrique.

Gutierrez will line up on the left-hand side of midfield, Wayne Routledge on the opposite flank, leaving a central pairing of skipper Kevin Nolan and Danny Guthrie.

Lovenkrands is partnered by joint top scorer Andy Carroll in attack.

Nicky Butt is named among the substitutes in what is his final game at St.James' Park.

TEAMS

NUFC: Steve Harper, Danny Simpson, Fabricio Coloccini, Mike Williamson, Jose Enrique, Wayne Routledge, Danny Guthrie, Kevin Nolan (c), Jonas Gutierrez, Andy Carroll, Peter Lovenkrands
Subs: Tim Krul, Joey Barton, Ryan Taylor, Alan Smith, Leon Best, Nicky Butt, Shola Ameobi

ITFC: Brian Murphy, David Wright, Gareth McAuley, Tommy Smith, Jamie Peters, Jon Walters (c), Grant Leadbitter, David Norris, Jack Colback, Daryl Murphy, Connor Wickham
Subs: Richard Wright, Owen Garvan, Lee Martin, Liam Rosenior, Alan Quinn, Tom Eastham, Billy Clarke

Attendance: 52, 181
Referee: Carl Boyeson