Premier League: Newcastle 3 Blackburn 1

Demba Ba hit a hat-trick as Newcastle extended their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at St James’ Park.

The Magpies got off to a good start as Steven Taylor’s half-volley went just wide of Paul Robinson’s post following a dangerous corner from Yohan Cabaye.

Alan Pardew’s team had the better of the early minutes and nearly capitalised when Ba found space in the Blackburn half and rifled a shot towards goal but it flew just over the bar as the visitors were failing to settle.

Leon Best, one of Newcastle’s in-form players this season, was guilty of missing a glorious chance to put them in the lead as he blazed his shot over the bar when unmarked on the edge of the box.

The Magpies finally made their pressure count when Ba opened the scoring in the 27th minute when he volleyed past Robinson from close range after receiving the ball from a good cross from his strike partner Best.

Newcastle made it two shortly after with Ba again finding the net, this time after some horrendous defending from the visitors as they failed the clear the line following a Magpies free-kick.

The Senegalese international latched onto Steven N’Zonzi’s failed header and nodded past Robinson to give his side a deserved second.

Blackburn responded straight away, however, as Junior Hoilett got them back into the game when he volleyed past Tim Krul following a mistake by the Magpies as they gave the ball away up field.

Gabriel Obertan could have ended the half on a high note for the Magpies after latching onto Krul’s clearance but the Frenchman’s shot flew over the bar with Robinson well and truly beaten.

Blackburn came out in the second half to try to find an equaliser – and Martin Olsson almost provided but he failed find the target when well-placed in the six-yard box as his shot crept over the bar.

The Magpies then punished Rovers and went up the field with Jonas Gutierrez, who crossed towards the back-post for Ba who looped his headed over Robinson into the net¬¬¬ to complete his hat-trick.

Newcastle continued to attack despite their two-goal cushion and could have added more goals as Best, Yohan Cabaye and Ba all threatened with good efforts.

Rovers’ woes were increased when Olsson was sent off for two bookable offences by referee Martin Atkinson after bringing down Best in the Newcastle half.

Jason Lowe made a crucial interception on the goal-line to stop Best from adding to the scoring as the Newcastle striker did everything but find the net as he spurned several chances.

The Magpies tried to add more goals late as they continued to pummel the Rovers defence but all to no avail.

The victory helped Newcastle maintain their unbeaten record at the start of the season – a run which now stretches to eight games in all competitions.

For Steve Kean and Blackburn though, the hard work done last week against Arsenal seems like a lifetime away.