Newcastle United won their first match under new boss John Carver courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Hull City at the KC Stadium this afternoon.
The visitors took the lead five minutes before the break through Remy Cabella's first goal for the club, while Sammy Ameobi doubled the advantage shortly after the restart to put his side in control.
Hull failed to muster any sort of reply and Newcastle eventually sealed their first win of the calendar year through Yoann Gouffran's deflected effort 12 minutes from time.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at another miserable day for the Tigers.
Match statistics
HULL
Shots: 13
On target: 8
Possession: 53%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 15
NEWCASTLE
Shots: 12
On target: 5
Possession: 47%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 13
Was the result fair?
The statistics suggest that Hull had the better of this game, with more shots and possession than their visitors, but that was not the case. Steve Bruce's side started the better and created the clearer chances in the opening 45 minutes, but they can have few complaints at having lost this afternoon.
The Tigers will feel that they had enough opportunities to have made more of a game of it, with Curtis Davies, Gaston Ramirez and Nikica Jelavic all missing decent openings, and on another day it could well have been a different story. However, they were architects of their own downfall this afternoon and the main difference between the two sides was that Newcastle took most of the chances they created.
The first half was an even affair, but the Magpies always seemed to have an element of control over proceedings after the break. The second goal seemed to take the fight out of Hull, who put in a tepid display from that point on. The three-goal margin may be a little harsh on the hosts, but they certainly did not play well enough to warrant anything from this game.
Hull's performance
After a two-week break from action, the home side started on the front foot and looked to get about Newcastle in the early stages. They managed that and were very much on top for the opening 10 minutes, but as the visitors began to settle, their control of the match subsided. They can perhaps consider themselves unlucky to have gone into the break behind, but it was a defensive error that gifted Newcastle their opening goal.
The second goal seemed to be a killer blow for the hosts, and again it could have perhaps been avoided, with Alan McGregor partly culpable for failing to keep out Ameobi's long-range effort. The hosts barely threatened after that, with the exception of one unfortunate incident when Jelavic couldn't react in time to tap in and one fortunate incident when Fabricio Coloccini almost scored a bizarre own goal. The third goal also stemmed from the Tigers giving the ball away and a stroke of bad luck as the shot deflected over the keeper.
Most worryingly of all for Bruce, his side seemed to lack belief that they could recover having gone two goals behind. To lose 3-0 at home to an out-of-form Newcastle side is a massive blow and leaves Hull still in the bottom three. They have now lost four on the bounce and have not scored since New Year's Day, so there is plenty for Bruce to address in the coming weeks. His side need to improve, and they need to do it quickly.
Newcastle's performance
Many eyebrows were raised when Carver was handed the Newcastle job until the end of the season despite having failed to win any of his games in temporary charge. It may well have been an appointment more for convenience than confidence, but today provided many reasons for optimism. The Magpies' performances had actually not been that bad against the likes of Chelsea and Southampton, it was just the result that was lacking.
Carver ticked that box today, and to do so with a 3-0 win away from home would have been extra special. They never exactly looked like world-beaters this afternoon, but then they didn't have to. They controlled the game really well having taken a two-goal lead and never looked in danger of relinquishing their advantage. They also looked very capable of adding to it at the other end, which they eventually did through Gouffran's strike.
Before this match, Newcastle had only won twice away from home in the league this season and were without a clean sheet in 12 games. To improve both of those records will be almost as pleasing as picking up the three points and ending their four-match winless streak. They will come up against sterner tests than this Hull side before the season is out, but this first win is a weight off the shoulders of Carver and he will be looking to go from strength to strength now.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Remy Cabella: Cabella took time to get going in the black and white of Newcastle, but he is beginning to show his best form now. He was a creative spark during the 70 or so minutes he was on the field this afternoon, growing into the game more and more as it progressed. His goal was something of a gift following a poor defensive error, but he tucked it away with aplomb to cap off a fine all-round performance with his first goal for the club.
Biggest gaffe
There were a few candidates for this one today. McGregor should have done better for Newcastle's second goal, while Coloccini was only spared from blowing everyone else out of the water by Vurnon Anita, who cleared his captain's sliced clearance off the line. However, it goes to Andy Robertson, who gave the ball straight to Cabella in a very dangerous position, leading to the opening goal of the match. It was a careless pass from the left-back, who had a very mixed afternoon.
Referee performance
Phil Dowd had a solid game this afternoon, although he did miss Ahmed Elmohamady punching the ball into the net right on the stroke of half time. Thankfully for the referee, his linesman spotted the infringement and spared him plenty of criticism and embarrassment.
What next?
Hull: Hull's hopes of ended a four-match losing streak and getting a first goal in that time look slim as they face champions Manchester City at the Etihad next Saturday.
Newcastle: Newcastle, meanwhile, face a mid-table battle with Stoke City at St James' Park next Sunday.
Barney Corkhill
