Emmanuel Riviere scored his first goal in the Premier League to fire Newcastle United into a 1-0 lead at the break of their Premier League clash against Queens Park Rangers.
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The home side had the first opening of the match as Joey Barton picked up the ball in the middle of the park and advanced towards goal before firing at Tim Krul, but the keeper made a comfortable save.
Newcastle took the lead in the 24th minute when a long ball was pumped forward into the box and Riviere controlled and he guided the ball past Robert Green to net his first goal for the club.
The Magpies immediately pressed for a second as they won a free kick on the edge of the box. Ryan Taylor took the set piece, but he curled his effort just wide of the post.
QPR were forced to change their keeper when Green was clattered by his own teammate, which brought Alex McCarthy onto the pitch.
McCarthy was called into action just before the break to deny Fabricio Coloccini as the Argentine headed at goal from close range, but the keeper tipped his effort past the post.
Simon Sinclair
