We're Back!

Second half goals from Leon Best (his first for the club) and teenage strikers Nile Ranger and Haris Vučkić saw yer Keith Telly Topping's beloved - though still, seemingly, unsellable - Newcastle United get off to a winning start against Carlisle in their first pre-season game for 2010-11. After a goalless first half, which saw Peter Løvenkrands have a shot stopped on the line and Steve Harper and the woodwork deny Ian Harte, the game came to life after the break. However something of a dampener was put on the victory as defender Steven Taylor, making his first appearance since January, was forced off in the final ten minutes with what appeared to be a shoulder injury. Taylor missed the second half of last season firstly with a knee injury and then with a broken jaw. It is the second time that a pre-season Brunton Part jinx has struck United - three years ago Joey Barton, making his Newcastle debut, broke his metatarsal in a corresponding fixture and missed the first three months of the following season.

An excellent crowd of over seven thousand - swelled by three thosuand travelling supporters - turned out at Brunton Park as Newcastle's manager, Chris Hughton, named a strong starting line up including Alan Smith as captain in midfield partnering last year's Player of the Year Kevin Nolan. The real stand-out performer, however, was Wayne Routledge. The winger injected some much-needed pace and craft into a sluggish Newcastle midfield after Hughton's numerous half-time changes. United's next match is another friendly with recently promoted Norwich City at the Carrow Road next Saturday.