King double sinks troubled Newcastle as fans protest
Newcastle's fans held demonstrations outside St James' Park
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By inthenews. |  |
Saturday, 13, Sep 2008 09:26
Marlon King scored a brace to help Hull City beat managerless Newcastle United at St James' Park but as much of the attention was focused off the pitch as on it.
The ground was half empty for the first five minutes of the match as the majority of Magpies fans had congregated outside the ground to protest against owner Mike Ashley.
Fans chanted "sack the board" and "Ashley Out" before the game and the same cries were heard following the home defeat.
Extra police officers were on duty although the demonstrations largely passed off without any incident.
During the match chants aimed at the board could be heard from the stands as fans did their best to distract themselves from the debacle that was going on on the pitch.
Marlon King scored his first goal for Hull since joining the club in the summer with a penalty after 34 minutes. He had been given the chance after Nicky Butt had cynically fouled Peter Halmosi.
King doubled his side's lead midway through the second half. He appeared to have lost possession when Charles N'Zogbia challenged him but he continued to fight for the ball and was able to slip it past Shay Given.
Newcastle got a lifeline with six minutes to go when new signing Xisco knocked in a rebound after N'Zogbia's shot had hit the post.
However, the Magpies finished the game with ten men when Danny Guthrie was sent off for a foul on Craig Fagan.
The incident caused both sets of players to enter into a scuffle but no further action was taken.
The result is unlikely to do Ashley any favours with the Geordie fans who are likely to continue their protests at their away match at West Ham next week.