Newcastle 3 Plymouth 0:ALL PRECISION finishing and searing pace, Peter Lovenkrands last night scored a hat-trick which not only secured Newcastle United a fourth-round trip to West Bromwich Albion, but also extended their unbeaten run to 13 games. It also begged the question as to whether Chris Hughton's side really need Jermaine Beckford?
It was only the ninth game Lovenkrands, more usually a winger, has started this season but his blend of ruthless incision and jaw-dropping acceleration swiftly ensured Plymouth merely made up the numbers in this replay.
If the Dane can sustain similar form – and his treble comprised goals registered with his left foot, his head and his right foot – Hughton may start wondering if it is really worth stretching his budget to lure Beckford from Leeds United.
The game had barely got going before Lovenkrands used his left foot to drive a shot beyond Roman Larrieu from 12 yards. That goal arrived after a combination of Andy Carroll’s chest control, Lovenkrands’s deft pass and Jonas Gutierrez’s ball in behind the defence conspired to wrong-foot Paul Mariner’s team, thereby permitting the Dane to steal into space and polish off a slick move.
Plymouth were generally far too busy looking petrified of Lovenkrands’s pace and enjoyed lucky escapes when Kevin Nolan and Carroll both miscued decent chances. Lovenkrands, though, was definitely wearing his shooting boots and, following another one-two with Gutierrez culminating in a left-wing cross from the Argentinian, he doubled Newcastle’s advantage courtesy of a powerful close-range header.
Lovenkrands completed his hat-trick in the 72nd minute when he half volleyed right-footed past Larrieu after Nolan’s pass and Carroll’s flick on. Small wonder he departed to a standing ovation.
NEWCASTLE:Krul, Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Pancrate (Guthrie 70), Nolan, Butt (Ranger 75), Gutierrez, Carroll, Lovenkrands (Donaldson 88). Subs Not Used: Harper, Ameobi, Tozer, Ferguson. Goals: Lovenkrands 10, 40, 72.
PLYMOUTH:Larrieu, Duguid, Arnason, Barker (McNamee 76), Sawyer, Judge (Sheridan 59), Fletcher, Summerfield, Clark, Fallon, Barnes (Wright-Phillips 59). Subs Not Used: Saxton, Noone, Gow, Folly.
Referee:Andy D'Urso (Essex).
Guardian Service
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