Carroll on song as Newcastle edge West Ham

After making the news for an alleged attack on his girlfriend, Newcastle’s England wannabe Andy Carroll grabbed some positive headlines Saturday, heading in the winner in a come-from-behind 2-1 success at West Ham.

The Hammers remain stuck to the bottom of the English Premier League after this latest reverse with just six points from nine games while the Magpies rose from the bottom four at start of play to ninth after a second success on their travels following an earlier win at Everton.

After Carlton Cole netted on 12 minutes with a close-range shot following good work from Frederic Piquionne it all went wrong for Avram Grant’s Hammers.

Within 10 minutes, Chris Hughton’s Newcastle were level, the industrious Kevin Nolan netting with a snapshot from inside the area.

Following his alleged domestic altercation, Carroll has been living with neighbour Nolan. And the pair both shone Saturday as Carroll rose high to head in the winner midway through the second half to leave West Ham with just one win in the league this season – a 1-0 victory against Spurs last month.

The three points gave Newcastle their 250th Premier League victory, the seventh club to hit the mark and Hughton was delighted with a gritty showing, praising Carroll for getting on with the job.

“He doesn’t have to repay anything to us,” said Hughton, who nonetheless admitted: ” He’s got a fair bit of learning to do – and the best place is out there” on the pitch.

Barton added: “We always give ourselves a mountain to climb (but) I think we showed a real togetherness. An away win in the Premier League is massive.”