The decision to appoint Pardew this week has been ridiculed but
the new Toon boss had the last laugh as his side cruised past the
Reds.
Skipper Kevin Nolan led from the front but his goal was
cancelled out by Dirk Kuyt. Scouser Barton was on hand to restore
the lead and Andy Carroll thumped a late third to make it a perfect
first day for Pards.
Sol Campbell was sweating early on when he allowed Glen
Johnson's long ball to slip under his foot. Fernando Torres could
not cash in, however, and Tim Krul rushed out to the rescue.
Maxi Rodriguez then had a crack but Newcastle weathered the
early storm and started to settle in. But they could have been
behind with 10 minutes gone after Jose Enrique gifted Liverpool a
soft free-kick.
The Toon star fouled Glen Johnson on the edge of the box, Raul
Meireles crossed and the ball eventually broke to Sotirios
Kyrgiakos. But Kyrgiakos could not take advantage and Krul parried
his drive.
Newcastle had their first sniff moments later but Carroll was
denied by Pepe Reina. It did not matter though as the hosts soon
broke the deadlock.
Barton sent in a free-kick, Carroll nodded down and Nolan
blasted past Reina. The Spaniard was called into action soon after
when Carroll played a one-two with Shola Ameobi before pulling the
trigger.
Wide-eyed wonder: Newcastle owner Mike Ashley faced
calls to resign before and during the game
At the other end, Liverpool came close to a leveller 12
minutes before half-time. Meireles drilled a shot through the box
that came off David Ngog and had to be cleared off the line by
Enrique.
Krygiakos then nodded wide as the Reds finished the half
strongly.
Newcastle came storming out of the blocks after the break and
Reina had to be alert to grab Barton's cross. But within five
minutes of the restart Liverpool were level.
Kuyt picked up possession on the edge and, as Sol Campbell
tumbled to the floor, the Dutchman's shot crept past Krul off the
boot of Steven Taylor.
Toon looked to hit back and Carroll thundered a header over the
bar from the penalty spot.
Pardew then threw Nile Ranger into the mix and the rookie could
have had a first top-flight goal seconds later when he blazed
wide.
Newcastle did not have to wait too long to find the net,
however, with Barton the hero. The former Manchester City ace
tucked past Reina on 80 minutes after Carroll had flicked on a Krul
punt forward.
It was party time St James' Park but there was more to come and
Carroll hit a glorious third in the final minute.
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor,
Campbell, Jose Enrique, Barton (Routledge 90), Nolan (Smith 87),
Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi (Ranger 63). Subs Not
Used: Harper, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Perch.
Booked: Gutierrez, Tiote.
Goals: Nolan 15, Barton 80, Carroll 90.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel,
Konchesky, Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Maxi (Jovanovic 85), Torres, Ngog
(Babel 72). Subs Not Used: Jones, Aurelio, Cole,
Poulsen, Kelly. Booked: Johnson.
Goals: Kuyt 49.
Att: 50,137
Ref: Lee Mason (Lancashire).
