By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

At St. James' Park

Newcastle United 1 (Perez 73)

Liverpool 0

Substitute Ayoze Perez was Newcastle United's hero as the Magpies recorded their fourth successive victory with a 1-0 home win over Liverpool.

The Spanish summer signing stepped off the bench to net his second goal in six days and secure a deserved three points for Alan Pardew's side at St. James' Park.

United were excellent against a strong Reds team, looking solid defensively and always a threat on the counter-attack, with Moussa Sissoko again outstanding in the middle of the park.

Papiss Cisse had chances to give Newcastle a first half lead but it was his replacement, Perez, who achieved that midway through the second period, seizing on a loose ball in the area to fire home.

Liverpool offered little threat, with just a Martin Skrtel header and two Mario Balotelli long-rangers to show for their efforts.

And the Magpies now travel to West Bromwich Albion next weekend in search of win number five of a superb run of form.

With less than four minutes on the clock, United threatened through fit-again leading scorer Cisse.

Paul Dummett's left-wing delivery was knocked into his path by Gabriel Obertan and Cisse pulled the trigger, only to see a brave Martin Skrtel block deflected the ball behind.

And they continued to impress in the opening exchanges, with Obertan and Sammy Ameobi roaring down the flanks at every opportunity and Premier League debutant Mehdi Abeid patrolling the middle of the park,

The hosts were dealt a blow, however, on 24 minutes when Obertan was forced off with what looked like a thigh injury, sustained while chasing a ball down the right.

Rolando Aarons was introduced in his place, and the 18-year-old immediately set about causing the Reds' defence problems.

On 37 minutes, Cisse almost hooked in Jack Colback's corner, after Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet got caught in no-man's land. But the former Sunderland stopper's blushes were saved by teammate Glen Johnson, who headed off the line.

And having spent almost the entire first period on the front foot, United were almost hit by a sucker punch five minutes before the break, when Skrtel met Steven Gerrard's right wing corner around eight yards out,but could only power his header narrowly the wrong side of the upright.

Manager Alan Pardew made his second substitution at half-time, replacing Cisse with 21-year-old Spaniard Perez, but it was Reds who took the early initiative which some heavy pressure.

After Moussa Sissoko had brought down Joe Allen 25 yards out, Italian striker Balotelli took the resulting free-kick, but his low effort failed to seriously trouble Tim Krul, who gathered well.

United weathered the storm and began to impose themselves back on proceedings. Remy Cabella came on as their final switch of the afternoon, and they finally broke the deadlock on 73 minutes.

Its origns came down the left, with Sissoko and Paul Dummett exchanging passes as they drove at the visitors' rearguard. Left-back Alberto Moreno attempted to cut out Sissoko's low cross but his touch was heavy and Perez pounced from close range with a predatory finish.

St. James' Park was rocking and it could have been two just three minutes later.

One minute the Magpies were defending deep in their own half, and the next they were breaking at pace, with Perez and Cabella finding themselves two-on-one. A neat interchange sent Cabella clear and he slotted towards the far corner, only to see Mignolet stick out a desperate leg and divert it wide.

Cabella went close again, this time from distance, as he curled over the top, but a second goal wasn't needed as Newcastle recorded yet another victory.

Newcastle United (4-3-3): Tim Krul; Daryl Janmaat, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Paul Dummett; Moussa Sissoko, Mehdi Abeid, Jack Colback; Gabriel Obertan (Rolando Aarons 27), Papiss Cisse (Ayoze Perez 46), Sammy Ameobi (Remy Cabella 66)

 

Subs not used: Rob Elliot, Massadio Haidara, Ryan Taylor, Yoan Gouffran

 

 

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Simon Mignolet; Glen Johnson, Dejan Lovren, Martin Skrtel, Alberto Moreno; Joe Allen (Fabio Borini 66), Steven Gerrard (c); Jodan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho (Rickie Lambert 80), Raheem Sterling; Mario Balotelli

 

Subs not used: Brad Jones, Javi Manquillo, Kolo Toure, Emre Can, Adam Lallana

 

 

Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)

Bookings: Newcastle - S Taylor (45), Sissoko (49), Janmaat (62), Colback (79); Liverpool - Skrtel (44), Henderson (72), Lovren (89)

 

Attendance: 52,166