King scored twice on a miserable afternoon for the Newcastle fans

Hull deservedly defeated Newcastle on an afternoon of passionate protest from Magpies supporters still reeling after the departure of manager Kevin Keegan.

Marlon King scored his first goal for Hull from the penalty spot after Nicky Butt needlessly fouled Peter Halmosi.

King doubled the Tigers' advantage from 16 yards with a precise finish, while Xisco struck for the Magpies after a Charles N'Zogbia shot hit the post.

Danny Guthrie saw red at the end for a shocking tackle on Craig Fagan.

It was a bizarre, slightly surreal afternoon, one in which events on the pitch seemed largely eclipsed by the huge sentiment of feeling emanating from the stands.

The Newcastle supporters protested before the game, calling in equal measure for the return of Kevin Keegan and for owner Mike Ashley and executive director of football Dennis Wise to leave the club.

Ashley and Wise were both conspicuous by their absence, while a banner calling for the departure of the 'Cockney Mafia' was carried on a full circuit of the stands, applauded throughout its entire journey. The protesters posed in front of the directors' box in what was a genuinely poignant and symbolic moment that underlined the scale of disillusionment on Tyneside.

And while the Magpies faithful supported their team once the match started, the passion for the encounter took second place to the relentless singing and chanting relating to matters off the pitch.

Not that Hull will be complaining after bouncing back from their 5-0 trouncing at the hands of Wigan by winning away from home for the first time in the Premier League.

Manager Phil Brown saw his players remain focused despite the distractions and rewarded with a fully merited and valuable three points.

Newcastle had opportunities to take the lead and Boaz Myhill was in top form to save a header from Michael Owen after the forward lost his marker and glanced a free-kick from Geremi towards goal.

Guthrie spurned a great opportunity, shooting across goal and wide from six yards, while a heavy touch from Xisco on his debut wasted a promising opening.

But Hull, who had to borrow white shorts from their opposition after the referee said their plan to wear an all-grey kit would clash, also had opportunities during an even opening period.

David Edgar blocked a shot from Halmosi and King shot too close to Given before the Tigers added to the ire of the home fans by taking the lead.

There seemed to be little in the way of imminent danger when Butt brought down Halmosi and, although Given got a hand to the penalty kick, King's low strike had enough power to sneak into the bottom corner.

And an afternoon of miserable discontent for the home fans deepened when the Toon defence were found to be missing in action.

King, in acres of space, latched onto a through ball from Dean Marney, but the striker appeared to have wasted the chance when N'Zogbia closed him down. However, King was rewarded for his persistence when he beat the defender and drilled the ball home.

Guthrie almost instantly reduced the deficit with a cross-cum-shot that Myhill did extremely well to deflect on to the woodwork.

Xisco showed quick reactions to pounce with a debut goal after N'Zogbia's effort hit the post, but there was to be no dramatic equaliser.

And Guthrie's horrible hack at Fagan deep in injury-time sparked angry on-field scenes and perhaps mirrored to some extent the general sense frustration inside the ground.


Taken from BBC Sport
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7601892.stm