Black day on Tyneside

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With Ashley and executive director (football) Dennis Wise nowhere to be seen, it was left to managing director Derek Llambias, the man with whom Kevin Keegan held heated discussions before his resignation, to bear the brunt of the backlash.

Events off the pitch were not helped by those on it as a promising Newcastle start was halted by Marlon King's 34th-minute penalty, and by the time King doubled his tally nine minutes after the break, the Magpies were in meltdown.

Debutant Xisco pulled a goal back nine minutes from time but there was to be no salvation.

Thousands of fans turned up to voice their support for Keegan carrying banners but once inside the stadium they got behind their side. Caretaker boss Chris Hughton named Spanish striker Xisco in the starting line-up and he headed a 13th-minute Charles N'Zogbia corner over the crossbar.

Danny Guthrie should have hit the target after Geremi worked an opening with 19 minutes gone. Skipper Michael Owen's header from Geremi's free-kick was saved by Boaz Myhill before City went ahead against the run of play 11 minutes before half-time.

Nicky Butt brought down Peter Halmosi and although Given got his hand to King's penalty, he could not keep it out.

Nine minutes into the second half King ran on to Halmosi's through-ball and curled a left-foot shot past Shay Given to make it 2-0.

Newcastle pulled a goal back nine minutes from time when N'Zogbia's shot came back off the post and Xisco converted the rebound.

But the fightback fizzled out and Danny Guthrie was sent off for a late challenge on Craig Fagan.