Despite making better use of our chances we still conceded possession too easily in that 1st half, when I thought we struggled in midfield.

However, we stuck at it, and getting the 1st goal changed the game in much the same way it did in the home game vs Villa – our confidence visibly soared, we got a grip in midfield and ended the game well on top.

As for Enrique, I thought he was poor to start with, but improved as the game proceeded and he had a really good 2nd half.

Apart from one howler when he passed the ball straight to an opponent well inside our half, I thought Coloccini had a much better game today. N’Zogbia had a very quiet 1st half, but looked more like his old self in the 2nd when he started running at his full-back.

I thought our defence looked well organised, and the problems we did have generally arose from losing possession in bad areas. Bassong had another good game; his uncomplicated style and aerial ability compliments Colloccini’s game very well.

Owen worked his nuts off and took his goal superbly, not to say very bravely as he really got clattered. The Sky geniuses blamed Calamity for Martins’ goal, whereas the ‘slo-mo’ showed he actually dummied James into going to ground before side-footing it past him.

What’s more his 25 yard swinging scorcher in the 1st half that struck the inside of James’ left hand post would have been a candidate for Goal of the Season. I can see some signs that under JFK’s direction Oba is beginning to become a better team player. Let’s just hope he hasn’t incurred a serious injury.

Our first away win, and a very solid team performance against a big, physical team that are usually a handful on their own ground will hopefully provide a turning point in this dreadful season.

Seeing a much stronger team and bench than had been reported only yesterday, also provides a degree of comfort. What’s more Xisco is fit again!

In fact, the home side were taking the lead first in 16 minutes after Matty Robson took advantage of Toon’s slack defending before coolly lift the ball over Shay Given.

Newcastle were back with a shout, thanks to Damien “Almost Forgotten Man” Duff who put us level on 40 minutes. Nicky Butt played the ball to Milner before the “Almost Gone to Anfield” midfielder found Duff on the left. Duff steered the ball home from inside the box to make it 1-1.

United set Obafemi Martins and Alan “My God! He’s still here!” Smith to led the Toon attack, but both are failed to impressed King Kev today. Without Owen who is missing due to minor injury and Mark Viduka, we should give thanks to our second liners today.

Martins has a good chance to double our lead a minute later went he round Pools keeper, Lee-Barrett but the host still has the emergency player in Ben Clark who cleared the ball off the line to keep the score level.

Before the end of half-time, Charles “Take Me Out Of Here” N’Zogbia gave a strong test to Lee-Barrett who successfully make a good save this time. The ball goes to Martins, but he’s unable to convert the rebound.

In the second-half, Super Kev handed a debut for ex-Liverpool man Danny Guthrie to replaced Enrique and dropped N’Zogbia down to left-back. Newcastle then took the lead seven minutes after the break, and once again Duff racing on to a ball from Milner clever passing and slipping it past the advancing Lee-Barrett.

Danny Guthrie made it two in two minutes with a deflected effort before the Irish winger Duff completed his first hat-trick this season in the 87th minute.

After the game, Keegan praise Damien Duff performance today and said He has looked very sharp.

“It’s the first time in three or four years that he has had a pre-season.” Keegan said, “He has missed all pre-season training in the last three and any pro will tell you, that is of major importance to get that in because it gives you a base for the season.”

HARTLEPOOL UNITED:
Lee-Barrett; McCunnie (Foley, 60), Collins (Nelson, 69), Clark, Humprheys; Sweeney, Liddle (Power, 83), Jones (Boland, 60), Robson (Monkhouse, 76); Brown (Mackay, 85), Porter (Barker, 76). Subs not used: Budtz, Rowell.

NEWCASTLE UNITED:
Given (Forster, 65); Edgar (Tozer, 63), Taylor, Cacapa (Morris, 72), Enrique (Guthrie, 46); Duff, Milner, Butt, N’Zogbia; Martins (Ameobi, 46), Smith. Subs not used: Lough, Danquah, Doninger, Godsmark.

Goals: Robson 11, Duff 40, 52, 88, Guthrie 53
Attendance: 4,249
Referee: G Laws

Daniel Sean “Danny” Guthrie born April 18, 1987 in Shrewsbury and grew up in Telford. He signed for Liverpool when he’s still a 15 year old after being released by Manchester United.

During his time with Liverpool’s Academy he has a call-up to join the England schoolboy side, while as member of the Reds reserve squad, he was their regular captain. With the Liverpool senior team, he made the first appearance in their pre-season friendly at Wrexham in 2006, played as a left midfielder.

His competitive first-team debut came after being named on the bench in a Football League Cup tie against Reading on 25 October 2006, and coming on as a 62nd minute substitute for Mohamed Sissoko.

Month later he start his Premier League debut, again as a substitute, against Portsmouth before earning his first match as a starter for Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League against Galatasaray on 5 December, 2006.

After being out in a loan basis on March 2, 2007 to Southampton until the end of season, he signed another loan contract with Bolton Wanderers last season, while they’re still managed by former Liverpool player and coach Sammy Lee as the caretaker manager. Guthrie completed the season with 25 Premier League appearances with Bolton.

“Since coming to work at Newcastle United I have quickly begun to appreciate the passion people have for the Football Club.” Mr. Llambias said.

“I firmly believe we have the right people with the right expertise, with Kevin Keegan back as manager and being fully supported by Mike Ashley and the directors, to take the Club forward again.”

Nice to read that Keegan is being fully supported by Mike Ashley. New players to signed very soon? I hope so. Keegan has been reported to broke off his holiday in New York today and will start the talk to potential transfer targets as soon as posible.

Keegan’s first deputy Terry McDermott said that although KK’s been away, he’s standby on his phone and trying his best to bring new players to Newcastle.

“Now we’ll be coming back in this week and we’re looking forward to the start of pre-season. Both myself and Kevin are great believers in a hard pre-season so that the lads are flying when it all kicks off.” Terry added more in the Journal.

The news of Keegan’s return home this week has emerged couple old and new speculations today that United is renewing their interest to bring Glasgow Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar. Daily Mail said that the Gers’ boss Walter Smith is keen to raise funds and if he can sold Carlos to United, he’s hopping to swoop Burnley’s Kyle Lafferty.

James Milner’s proposed move to Liverpool has become clear with an exchange deal involving the Reds youngster Danny Guthrie. While other news saying we have mackems in between for the signature of Celtic winger Aiden McGeady.