Newcastle, Mar 23: Newcastle United kept their title challenge on track by romping to a 5-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at St James Park to stay third in the English premier league.
Blackburn started brightly and created the first clear opportunity in the 14th minute, Hakan Sukur heading down a free kick for Dwight Yorke whose close range shot was well saved by Shay Given. Newcastle took the lead in the 24th minute, French midfielder Laurent Robert showing superb control as he twisted his way through the Blackburn defence before crossing for Nolberto Solano to head in at the far post. Robert went close to increasing Newcastle's lead in the 51st minute, but his thunderous free kick struck the Blackburn post and rebounded clear. Two minutes later Blackburn got back on level terms, Damien Duff hitting an unstoppable volley home from 20 yards after the Newcastle defence had charged down a free kick.


Robert restored Newcastle's lead in the 60th minute, improving on his previous attempt and scoring with a free kick from the edge of the penalty area.


Blackburn manager Graeme Souness responded by bringing on former Newcastle striker Andrew Cole in place of Dwight Yorke, a decision that did not please the Trinidad & Tobago striker who argued with Souness on the touchline.


But it was Newcastle substitute Jermaine Jenas who scored the next goal, neatly finishing from 16 yards after Aaron Hughes had cut the ball back to him in the 84th minute.


Newcastle increased their lead in the 88th minute when Blackburn defender Vratislav Gresko turned the ball into his own net from a Kieron Dyer pass across the face of the goal.


Craig Bellamy completed Blackburn's misery in the last minute, latching onto Hugo Viana's cross to score from 12 yards.


English league soccer standings after matches played on Saturday: Premier league P W D L F A Pts 1. Manchester United 31 19 7 5 51 27 64 2. Arsenal 30 19 6 5 64 32 63 3. Newcastle United 31 19 4 8 54 35 61 4. Chelsea 31 15 9 7 57 31 54 5. Everton 30 14 8 8 38 34 50 6. Liverpool 30 13 10 7 44 30 49 7. Charlton Athletic 31 13 7 11 40 39 46 8. Blackburn Rovers 31 12 10 9 38 37 46 9. Southampton 31 11 11 9 34 32 44 10. Tottenham Hotspur 30 12 7 11 43 43 43 11. Middlesbrough 31 11 9 11 39 35 42 12. Manchester City 31 12 5 14 40 49 41 13. Fulham 31 10 8 13 35 40 38 14. Aston Villa 31 10 6 15 33 37 36 15. Birmingham City 31 9 8 14 28 42 35 16. Leeds United 30 10 4 16 37 42 34 17. West Ham United 31 7 9 15 34 53 30 18. Bolton Wanderers 30 6 11 13 33 47 29 19. West Bromwich Albion 31 5 6 20 21 47 21 20. Sunderland 31 4 7 20 19 50 19


Bureau Report