Articles 
This was as one sided as a game as you’ll ever see. We absolutely battered The Irons. How this didn’t reach double figures is anyone’s guess.
Jose Enrique and Wayne Routledge both returned to the line up and we tore at the visitors from the off. Lovenkrands sent a fierce drive at goal which Murphy kept out, but on 10 minutes Andy Carroll rose majestically to head home a Guthrie right wing corner from 12 yards out. Just moments later Nolan headed home a Guthrie free kick only to be ruled out for a new interpretation of the offside law which only the 2 match officials involved can explain.
With Scunthorpe rocking Lovenkrands crashed a shot off the bar from 3 yards out, then Andy Carroll cut in on his left foot and brought a great save out of Murphy. After 21 minutes we extended our lead to 2-0 with a slick run and pass finding Lovenkrands who delightfully clipped the ball past Murphy. Murphy then denied Lovenkrands when the striker should really have scored. Coloccini then had a volley kicked off the line. As the half finished Gutierrez tried his luck but his effort was off target.
The second half was more of a cruise but we extended our lead when Guthrie sent a searing ball through to Carroll. The big striker advanced on goal and finished superbly. Carroll then headed a corner over the bar. Enrique went off on a storming run and sent a shot into the side netting. Gutierrez then had a goal disallowed as a broken Scunthorpe failed to cope with the pressure. Gutierrez found time to bring one more save out of Murphy with a shot from distance but the game eased through to full time.
With Forest losing on Tuesday we now sit 12 points clear of 3rd with a far superior goal difference. Once again we’ll know on Saturday the outcome of WBA’s game and also Forest’s. Things are looking very good at the moment.
Newcastle Utd Team:
Harper,
Simpson,
Hall,
Coloccini,
Enrique: (Kadar 75 mins)
Routledge,
Nolan, (Capt) (Ranger 83 mins)
Guthrie,
Gutierrez:
Carroll, BOOKED (Best 75 mins)
Lovenkrands:
Subs not used:
Krul
Butt,
Pancrate,
Ryan Taylor.
Scunthorpe Utd Team:
Murphy,
Wright (Woolford 72),
Jones,
Raynes,
Williams,
Thompson,
McCann,
O'Connor (Togwell 55),
Wright,
Forte,
Hayes (McDermott 55).
Subs not used :
Lillis,
Milne,
Sparrow,
Canavan.
Referee: Phil Crossley (Kent)
Man of the Match: Hall and Coloccini were on cruise control but Carroll was unplayable
Attendance: 39,301
League Position: 1st
