Hughton happy to spy Spider-Man a bit more often
March 9th, 20100 Comments | South Wales Evening Post, Mar 8, 2010
NEWCASTLE manager Chris Hughton is hoping to see Jonas Gutierrez’s Spider-Man mask more regularly after the winger celebrated his spectacular strike in the 6-1 win over Barnsley with his comic-book superhero tribute.
Gutierrez netted a classy solo goal to put the Magpies 4-0 up on Barnsley and then produced the mask, which he became renowned for before moving to Newcastle.
It was his first goal at St James’ Park since signing from Real Mallorca in 2008, and Hughton believes the Argentina winger should be scoring more, which would allow him to bring out the mask more often.
Hughton said: “As a player, can he add more goals to his game? Yes, I think he can, but the most important thing is if he keeps giving us contributions like that, we will certainly be happy with that.”
Newcastle stretched their lead to eight points at the top of the Championship with their win, in which Peter Lovenkrands and Danny Guthrie both scored twice and Kevin Nolan also found the target. The goals all arrived after Barnsley had goalkeeper Luke Steele sent off late in the first half.
QPR’s new manager Neil Warnock made an impressive start with a 3- 1 win over promotion-chasing West Brom at Loftus Road.
Warnock, who quit Crystal Palace to join QPR, looked on as goals from Jay Simpson, Matt Connolly and Akos Buzsaky secured victory. Chris Brunt pulled one back for Albion, who fell to third place.
Jay Bothroyd’s eighth league goal of the season gave Cardiff a 1- 0 win over play-off rivals Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan claimed Bothroyd was offside but admitted: “We just weren’t good enough.”
Leon Clarke gave Sheffield Wednesday’s survival chances a lift with both goals in a 2-0 win over Leicester, while Jason Euell’s goal earned Blackpool a 1-0 victory against Ipswich.
Coventry closed in on the top six with a 1-0 win over bottom club Peterborough, Jon Stead scoring the goal.
Palace, under new boss Paul Hart, boosted their survival hopes as Alan Lee’s goal secured a 1-0 victory over Sheffield United.
United manager Kevin Blackwell said: “I am frustrated, but it’s always tough facing a new manager and a new team and I thought they fought like dogs.”
Michael Tonge’s first goal since August 2007 paved the way for Derby to secure a 2-0 win over Watford at Pride Park, Chris Porter adding the second.
Billy Sharp and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas both scored twice for Doncaster in a fine 5-2 victory over Bristol City at Ashton Gate, while Bradley Orr grabbed a double for the home side before also netting an own goal.
Plymouth are seven points adrift of safety despite coming from behind to grab a 1-1 draw against Preston.