Blackburn 5 Newcastle 2

The Greek defender handled on the line to keep out a Dwight Yorke effort, and was shown the red card, with David Dunn stroking home the resulting penalty.

Dunn was on the mark again when converting a Keith Gillespie pass soon afterwards, but the Tynesiders fought back gamely with Alan Shearer in the thick of the action.

The former England captain steered home a penalty for his 300th Premiership goal, after Alan Shearer was fouled, and then crashed in a brilliant header from Laurent Robert's corner.

Rovers regrouped and made the extra man count with Martin Taylor on hand to score after Dunn's deflected volley from a David Thompson flag-kick.

There was confusion over the hosts' fourth strike as Gillespie's header caused havoc in The Magpies' danger zone with Dwight Yorke claiming the goal, although it could be debited as Andy Griffin own goal.

On 74 minutes, defender Taylor netted his second of the game with a header from a corner, to leave Bobby Robson's men well beaten at the end.