Nolan helps Hughton add to his lustre

Newcastle 5 Sunderland 1:ANYONE WHO thought Chris Hughton might struggle to last much longer at Newcastle United or imagined Titus Bramble had reinvented himself as a potential England centre half would have experienced an assumption-challenging sort of afternoon on Gallowgate.

With the same going for those who subscribed to the view that 4-4-2 represented “yesterday’s formation” and believed Shola Ameobi was a washed-up striker, multiple preconceptions were shattered just as emphatically as Sunderland’s seven-match unbeaten league run and hitherto impressive defensive record.

Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner, surely dare not even dream of sacking Hughton after his side dramatically erased the memory of a series of recently disappointing home performances at the expense of their fiercest enemies. Rival coaches who covet his job might as well give up the ghost.

This, after all, was a day when the stadium was decorated with a banner bearing that ultimate compliment “Chris Hughton is a Geordie” and the home manager’s name was sung long and loud.

Along the way, Hughton’s reversion to 4-4-2 paid off in spades as Bramble experienced a torrid return to St James’. Terrorised by his former team-mate Ameobi, who scored twice, the centre half reprised old error-prone days by being sent off for a rash professional foul on Andy Carroll.

Meanwhile a resurgent Kevin Nolan caused mayhem with late, generally unmarked, advances from midfield and deservedly registered a memorable hat-trick.

Small wonder that down in the away dug-out, Steve Bruce, the Wallsend boy and childhood Newcastle fan who twice turned down the chance to become manager at St James’, endured the most uncomfortable afternoon of his tenure in charge of Sunderland.

Although Darren Bent claimed a late goal it proved no consolation to Bruce, who probably feels like spending the coming week indoors with the curtains closed.