Ba (30)
Ba (54)
St. James' Park
Barclays Premier League
(Attendance: 46,236)
-
Jason Lowe
Yellow Card 57 mins -
Steven Nzonzi
Yellow Card 59 mins -
Off = Scott Dann
On = Ruben Rochina
Substitution 63 mins -
Off = Mauro Formica
On = Jason Roberts
Substitution 63 mins -
Martin Olsson
Yellow Card 69 mins -
Martin Olsson
Red Card 69 mins -
Off = Ayegbeni Yakubu
On = Vincenzo Grella
Substitution 79 mins -
Michel Salgado
Yellow Card 90:00 +5 mins
Newcastle United 3 Blackburn Rovers 1
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Journalist
At St. James' Park
Newcastle United 3 (Ba 27, 30, 54)
Blackburn Rovers 1 (Hoilett 37)
Demba Ba netted a hat-trick as Newcastle extended their unbeaten start to the season to eight games with a 3-1 win over Blackburn at St. James' Park.
The Senegalese striker scored twice in the space of three minutes before the break - a neat turn and finish, followed by a close-range header - before sealing his treble in the second half as he nodded over Paul Robinson.
Junior Hoilett had briefly put Rovers back in the contest in between, but it was Ba's first goals for United since his summer switch from West Ham that earned the hosts a deserved victory.
Leon Best and Gabriel Obertan could have both added to United's tally as they dominated for large spells, and there was also the welcome sight of a return to Premier League action for Hatem Ben Arfa from the substitutes' bench.
United signalled their attacking intent by forcing three early corners, while Ryan Taylor also sent a free-kick into the wall, but it was Ba who had their best chance with just six minutes on the clock.
Receiving the ball just inside the Blackburn half, the big striker was given time and space and he strode forward before firing a 25-yard drive narrowly over the bar.
Next to try his luck was Best in the 12th minute. As Danny Simpson and Obertan combined down the right, the Magpies' leading scorer held held his position on the edge of the box. He was found unmarked from Obertan's cut-back, but blazed well over when he perhaps should have done much better.
It was almost one-way traffic, and Jonas Gutierrez nodded Simpson's right-wing delivery wide, but the breakthrough finally came on 27 minutes from Ba - his first goal in the black and white stripes.
A superb ball from back to front by captain Fabricio Coloccini released Best into space out on the left, and he wasted no time in drilling a low ball into the feet of Ba inside the box.
Ten yards out, with his back to goal, the former West Ham man still had plenty to do, but he controlled well to hold off the challenge of Scott Dann, before turning and unleashing a rocket past the despairing dive of Robinson.
Not content with one, Ba doubled his - and Newcastle's - tally just three minutes later to give the hosts some breathing space. As Simpson lobbed a ball into the box, Steven Taylor headed it back across the face of goal, and a slight touch from Blackburn's Steven N'Zonzi flicked it into the path of Ba, who was left to simply nod home.
Only the intervention of Scott Dann's boot prevented a low Gutierrez effort from sneaking in the bottom corner on 36 minutes, as United looked to put the game out of sight before half-time, but Blackburn instead went straight down the other end and halved the deficit.
Hoilett was found on the edge of the box by Martin Olsson's left-wing cross, and the midfielder was gifted enough time to take a touch and slam a shot into the roof of the net with Tim Krul helpless.
With half-time approaching, the Magpies should have grabbed their third of the afternoon through Best, but the striker was unusually off target with his header, having risen above the Rovers rearguard to meet Ryan Taylor's in-swinging cross.
And Gabriel Obertan was inches away from the same outcome on the stroke of half-time, as the home side broke at pace, but his strike was always rising.
An outstanding defensive header from Ryan Taylor prevented Blackburn from levelling things up within seven minutes of the restart. Olsson's ball in from the left looked to have found Hoilett at the far post, but Taylor did brilliantly to flick the ball away in the nick of time and avert the danger.
But Newcastle increased their lead in the 54th minute as Ba bagged his hat-trick. Cheik Tiote won possession in the middle of the park before looking up and sending a deep flighted ball into the box.
Ba climbed above Gael Givet at the far post and looped a header goalwards, with Rovers keeper Robinson unable to keep it out under pressure from Best.
Newcastle weren't done there however, and Ryan Taylor bent a trademark free-kick not too far away, before Obertan fired just wide from distance after a rapid run which took him past a handful of challenges.
Blackburn's cause wasn't helped in the 70th minute when Olsson was given his marching orders for a second yellow card. Already booked earlier in the afternoon, Olsson upended Best on the halfway line, giving referee Martin Atkinson no choice but to reach for his cards once more.
Magpies boss Alan Pardew made his first change of the afternoon on 73 minutes, with standing ovations for both the player leaving the pitch and the one coming on, as hat-trick hero Ba was replaced by Ben Arfa.
And the substitute almost made an immediate impact, starting a move which involved Gutierrez, before slipping a ball across the face of goal which Best was inches away from connecting with.
Best twice sent left-footed efforts over the top - first after a neat one-two with Obertan, and then having raced onto a Yohan Cabaye through ball which split the Rovers defence - while Ben Arfa also fashioned space for himself before curling wide.
But they had to settle for three in the end, the same as the number of points Newcastle earned from an excellent all-round display.
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Ryan Taylor; Gabriel Obertan, Yohan Cabaye, Cheik Tiote, Jonas Gutierrez (Sylvain Marveaux 84); Leon Best, Demba Ba (Hatem Ben Arfa 73)
Subs not used: Steve Harper, James Perch, Danny Guthrie, Sammy Ameobi, Peter Lovenkrands
Blackburn Rovers (4-4-2): Paul Robinson; Michel Salgado, Christopher Samba (c), Scott Dann (Ruben Rochina 64), Gael Givet; Junior Hoilett, Steven N'zonzi, Jason Lowe, Martin Olsson; Mauro Formica (Jason Roberts 64), Yakubu (Vince Grella 79)
Subs: Mark Bunn, Grant Hanley, Radosav Petrovic, Simon Vukcevic
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Attendance: 46,236 (1,174 Blackburn)
Shot by Sylvain Marveaux(Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed left.
Michel Salgado(Blackburn) booked for dissent.
Corner from left by-line taken short right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Jason Lowe(Blackburn).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle), save (caught) by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Michel Salgado(Blackburn).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Michel Salgado(Blackburn).
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Shot by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle) curled left-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed left.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by Ruben Rochina(Blackburn) on Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Corner from right by-line taken short left-footed by Ruben Rochina(Blackburn).
Defending throw-in by Michel Salgado(Blackburn).
Newcastle substitution: Jonas Gutierrez replaced by Sylvain Marveaux (tactical).
Shot by Steven Nzonzi(Blackburn) drilled right-footed from right channel (20 yards), over the bar.
Handball by Hatem Ben Arfa(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Paul Robinson(Blackburn) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Ruben Rochina(Blackburn) on Cheik Tiote(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Danny Simpson(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Blackburn substitution: Ayegbeni Yakubu replaced by Vincenzo Grella (tactical).
Shot by Leon Best(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), over the bar.
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Shot by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) mishit right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed left.
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Shot by Leon Best(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed left.
Newcastle substitution: Demba Ba replaced by Hatem Ben Arfa (tactical).
Foul by Martin Olsson(Blackburn) on Leon Best(Newcastle). Martin Olsson(Blackburn) booked for dissent.Martin Olsson(Blackburn) dismissed for second bookable offence. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) from own half, passed. Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Foul by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) on Steven Nzonzi(Blackburn). Free kick crossed left-footed by Ruben Rochina(Blackburn) from right channel, clearance by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Shot by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) drilled left-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed left.
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Foul by Michel Salgado(Blackburn) on Leon Best(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from left wing, resulting in ball out of play.
Defending throw-in by Gael Givet(Blackburn).
Shot by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right channel (25 yards), blocked by Gael Givet(Blackburn).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Martin Olsson(Blackburn).
Foul by Christopher Samba(Blackburn) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Blackburn substitution: Scott Dann replaced by Ruben Rochina (injury).Blackburn substitution: Mauro Formica replaced by Jason Roberts (tactical). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Michel Salgado(Blackburn), shot by Martin Olsson(Blackburn) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Foul by Steven Nzonzi(Blackburn) on Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle). Steven Nzonzi(Blackburn) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Leon Best(Newcastle) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Paul Robinson(Blackburn) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Jason Lowe(Blackburn) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Jason Lowe(Blackburn) booked for unsporting behaviour. Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Headed goal by Demba Ba(Newcastle) (bottom-left of goal) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards).Newcastle 3-1 Blackburn. Assist (cross) by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from left channel.
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Scott Dann(Blackburn).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Shot by Martin Olsson(Blackburn) left-footed from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), hit bar.
Attacking throw-in by Michel Salgado(Blackburn).
Attacking throw-in by Michel Salgado(Blackburn).
Cross by Martin Olsson(Blackburn), clearance by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play.
Foul by Leon Best(Newcastle) on Scott Dann(Blackburn). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Paul Robinson(Blackburn) from own half, resulting in open play.
Cross by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle), clearance by Jason Lowe(Blackburn).
Foul by Steven Nzonzi(Blackburn) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
Handball by David Hoilett(Blackburn). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from right wing, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Michel Salgado(Blackburn).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Shot by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), missed right.
Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by David Hoilett(Blackburn) to near post, comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by David Hoilett(Blackburn), clearance by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by David Hoilett(Blackburn) on Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Cross by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle), header by Leon Best(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), missed left.
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Christopher Samba(Blackburn).
Cross by Demba Ba(Newcastle), clearance by Christopher Samba(Blackburn).
Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Leon Best(Newcastle).
Foul by Leon Best(Newcastle) on Gael Givet(Blackburn). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Paul Robinson(Blackburn) from own half, resulting in open play.
Foul by Steven Nzonzi(Blackburn) on Leon Best(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from right wing, clearance by Gael Givet(Blackburn).
Goal by David Hoilett(Blackburn) drilled right-footed (high centre of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 2-1 Blackburn. Assist (cross) by Martin Olsson(Blackburn) from left wing.
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Shot by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Jason Lowe(Blackburn).
Defending throw-in by Michel Salgado(Blackburn).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Cross by Steven Nzonzi(Blackburn), save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Gael Givet(Blackburn).
Attacking throw-in by Gael Givet(Blackburn).
Foul by Ayegbeni Yakubu(Blackburn) on Steven Taylor(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Gael Givet(Blackburn).
Headed goal by Demba Ba(Newcastle) (bottom-right of goal) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards).Newcastle 2-0 Blackburn. Assist (header) by Steven Taylor(Newcastle) from left side of penalty area.
Shot by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from right channel (25 yards), blocked by Christopher Samba(Blackburn).
Foul by David Hoilett(Blackburn) on Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) from left wing, blocked by Mauro Formica(Blackburn).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), clearance by Michel Salgado(Blackburn).
Defending throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Goal by Demba Ba(Newcastle) right-footed (top-right of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 1-0 Blackburn. Assist (cross) by Leon Best(Newcastle) from left wing.
Defending throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), save (caught) by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Martin Olsson(Blackburn), resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Foul by David Hoilett(Blackburn) on Ryan Taylor(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), resulting in ball out of play.
Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Foul by Leon Best(Newcastle) on Michel Salgado(Blackburn). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Paul Robinson(Blackburn) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), header by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Martin Olsson(Blackburn) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken left-footed by Tim Krul(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Defending throw-in by Gael Givet(Blackburn).
Attacking throw-in by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle).
Foul by Christopher Samba(Blackburn) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Michel Salgado(Blackburn).
Cross by Danny Simpson(Newcastle), comfortable save (caught) by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Cross by Martin Olsson(Blackburn), comfortable save (caught) by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Foul by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) on Jason Lowe(Blackburn). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Paul Robinson(Blackburn) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Shot by Leon Best(Newcastle) right-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), over the bar.
Defending throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez(Newcastle).
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Defending throw-in by Michel Salgado(Blackburn).
Cross by Gabriel Obertan(Newcastle), resulting in open play.
Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson(Newcastle).
Goal kick taken long by Tim Krul(Newcastle).
Cross by Martin Olsson(Blackburn), resulting in ball out of play.
Attacking throw-in by Gael Givet(Blackburn).
Defending throw-in by Gael Givet(Blackburn).
Attacking throw-in by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle).
Foul by Jason Lowe(Blackburn) on Demba Ba(Newcastle). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Cheik Tiote(Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Shot by Demba Ba(Newcastle) drilled right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed left.
Goal kick taken long by Paul Robinson(Blackburn).
Foul by Scott Dann(Blackburn) on Leon Best(Newcastle). Free kick drilled right-footed by Ryan Taylor(Newcastle) from right channel (35 yards), hit wall.
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to near post, foul by Fabricio Coloccini(Newcastle) on Scott Dann(Blackburn). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Paul Robinson(Blackburn) from own half, resulting in open play.
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Martin Olsson(Blackburn).
Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Yohan Cabaye(Newcastle) to near post, resulting in open play.