Newcastle bury Blackburn

Blackburn 1 Newcastle 3:Newcastle maintained their recent revival with a third successive Premiership victory to haul themselves five points clear of the relegation zone.

Two goals in four first-half minutes from striker Obafemi Martins and centre-back Steven Taylor set the Magpies on their way against Blackburn who had Stephane Henchoz sent off just before the break.

Although Morten Gamst Pedersen pulled one back, Martins made it six defeats in eight Premiership games for Rovers with an injury-time strike.

South Africa international Benni McCarthy twice beat Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given in the space of eight minutes, only to be ruled offside on both occasions

Despite his protests, assistant referee John Holbrook's judgment was correct as replays backed his decisions.

Sandwiched in between, Given made a stunning save to keep his side on level terms.

The Republic of Ireland star was at full stretch in acrobatically turning aside a powerful 12-yard header from Andre Ooijer as the centre-back met an outswinging corner from Morten Gamst Pedersen.

With Newcastle on the backfoot, McCarthy enjoyed a legitimate 22nd-minute chance, turning inside Steven Taylor just outside the area before shaving the crossbar with a rasping right-foot shot.

But after the half hour the game turned sour for Rovers and sweet for the visitors, albeit with hint of controversy.

When Antoine Sibierski delivered a ball over the top of the home defence in the 31st minute, Martins appeared to be offside.

The protests inside the ground were loud and long, but replays again supported the linesman, with Martins in line with captain Lucas Neill.

The undeterred Nigerian strode into the penalty area and rifled a half-volley past Brad Friedel for his fifth goal of the season, and second in successive games.

Four minutes later and the Magpies doubled their advantage, aided by shocking defending from Mark Hughes' side.

Michael Gray initially failed to prevent right-winger James Milner from delivering a cross to the far post where an unmarked Charles N'Zogbia drilled the ball back into the six-yard box.

Pedersen missed a clearing chance allowing Taylor the easiest of strikes from four yards, with the centre back scoring his second United goal, and his first in the Premiership in 34 appearances.

To rub salt into gaping Rovers wounds at that stage, Henchoz was debatably shown a straight red card by referee Dermot Gallagher in the 40th minute.

In chasing down a long, raking ball with Martins, the Swiss centre-back managed to head clear, only to bring down the United striker in the process.

As last man, Gallagher opted to dismiss Henchoz — so becoming the third Rovers player to be sent off this season.

Appearing down and out going into the interval, Rovers gained a foothold in the game courtesy of a special strike from Pedersen.

From the left wing, the Norwegian cut inside and unleashed a 25-yard right-foot drive into the top right corner for his third goal of the season, and first for three months.

Given was again at his best in beating away a raking effort from Tugay soon after before Newcastle suffered further injury woes.

With 11 players sidelined, the influential Emre was first taken off on a stretcher following a 51st minute tackle by Pedersen, with the Turkish midfielder appearing to sustain a broken leg.

That was followed 15 minutes later when right-back Solano hobbled off, offering Blackburn hope of salvaging a point.

But after Martins missed an 84th-minute breakaway chance for 3-1, and Given denied Pedersen with another fine save from underneath his own crossbar, it was the Nigerian who had the final say.

With even Friedel pushed forward for successive corners in injury time, Newcastle broke to great effect, with Martins stroking home the third from 30 yards into an empty net.