Post Game: Newcastle United 3, Blackburn Rovers 1

This was a thoroughly dominating win by Newcastle, save for a few momentary defensive hiccups, and the strange thing is, I've come to expect this type of performance as somewhat normal.

Newcastle were in control from the first whistle, maintaining a huge edge in possession (as expected, given the Rovers' style) and chances. They were able to capitalize early, going up by two thanks to Demba Ba (and some really, really shoddy defending). Blackburn Rovers closed the gap on a David Hoilett rocket from the edge of the box, and at halftime the scoreline stood 2-1.

That was as close as Blackburn got all game, as Newcastle took them to school in the second half. Ba scored once more to finish the hat trick on a controversial goal that had Paul Robinson screaming for a foul as it appeared that Leon Best may have sort of gotten in his way, but Martin Atkinson immediately signaled for a goal, and the rest of the game had a celebratory atmosphere to it.

Once Martin Olsson was sent off for deliberately pulling back Leon Best on a breakaway (his second yellow, the first for dissent following the third goal), it was nothing but Newcastle chances. Hatem Ben Arfa came on a few minutes later to make an appearance in the Premier League for the first time since his leg was almost amputated, and he validated all of the things we've been saying about his creativity this entire time.

There were other standouts as well. Gabriel Obertan was all over the pitch, as was Cheik Tiote, and Fabricio Coloccini was a rock on the back line. All in all, three points well earned.