Chris Hughton to keep feet on ground

Hat-trick hero: Andy Carroll celebrates
11 April 2012

Newcastle boss Chris Hughton allowed his players one night to celebrate their demolition of Aston Villa before bringing them straight back down to earth.

St James' Park was a cauldron of excitement as the Magpies announced themselves back on to the Barclays Premier League stage with their first win in superb style.

But even as his players enjoyed the moment - and Joey Barton's moustache was consigned to history - Hughton was already turning his attention to Wednesday night's Carling Cup trip to Accrington Stanley and next weekend's league visit to Wolves.

Hughton said: "That was a wonderful achievement for us, but we are realistic. In this division, we won't get too many days like that.

"Hopefully we will get the performances, but certainly chances to score six goals against the likes of Aston Villa don't come around too often.

"Yes, it's very much about getting feet very firmly on the ground. We are away from home in our next game and we expect it will be very, very tough.

"But you can't be in this division and get the scoreline we have without wanting to enjoy it, and we will certainly spend the rest of the day enjoying it."

Carroll struck after 34 and 67 minutes and completed his hat-trick in injury time as the rampant Magpies tore Villa apart.

The visitors wasted a 10th-minute opportunity to take the lead themselves when John Carew blazed a penalty over the bar, and Joey Barton made him pay for his miss within two minutes with a dipping long-range effort.

Kevin Nolan headed home after Brad Friedel had blocked his initial 32nd-minute effort, and he claimed his second three minutes from time as the Magpies extended their unbeaten home run to 26 league and cup games.

The victory came as the club pushed through a move for FC Twente midfielder Cheick Tiote, subject to a work permit.

Hughton said: "It's one we are delighted to have done and it will certainly give us some strength in that midfield area.

"We have a lot of players who can play in there, but he is a particular type of player.

"Alan Smith would be the only defensive-type central midfield player we have and Alan has already shown his value to us.

"But we just felt we needed more options in there and he will certainly be a good addition for us."

Caretaker Villa boss Kevin MacDonald, who admitted he had perhaps been naive in selecting so many young players, was left to rue the penalty miss.

He said: "We started off reasonably brightly, took the game to Newcastle and if we had scored, who knows what would have happened? But that wasn't the way it was to be.

"Newcastle are a decent side, they have got a lot of experience and they took their chances very, very well indeed."

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