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November 2, 2011

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Ba's trick lifts Magpies to 3rd

DEMBA Ba scored a hat-trick as Newcastle United continued its impressive start to the season with a deserved 3-1 win at Stoke City in the Premier League on Monday.

Newcastle, among the pre-season favorites for relegation, climbed to third place in the table and remain unbeaten after 10 matches.

French-born Senegalese striker Ba headed home Gabriel Obertan's teasing cross from close range after 12 minutes and he doubled the away side's lead with another neat finish five minutes before halftime.

Ba gave away a penalty with a clumsy foul on Peter Crouch and Jon Walters converted the spot-kick to give Stoke hope with 15 minutes remaining.

Ba, however, quickly made amends when he coolly dispatched a penalty, his eighth goal of the season, after Robert Huth was adjudged to have shoved Leon Best in the area.

"I'm a bit disappointed that we didn't play the way we should have in the second half but we defended well and you don't get to 22 points without showing different sides to your game," Newcastle manager Alan Pardew told Sky Sports.

"All the big sides have been here and not won so that just shows how good Stoke are. They are a top team and will finish top 10."

Newcastle climbed above Chelsea into third place, one point behind Manchester United and six adrift of leaders Manchester City. Stoke remained 11th in the standings.

Meanwhile, Newcastle has informed the police about a racist remark directed at teenage striker Sammy Ameobi on Twitter.

"The racist comment is wholly unacceptable. Newcastle United will not tolerate racism of any kind and will take the strongest possible action against those responsible," the club said on its website.

Sammy, 19, is the younger brother of former England under-21 international Shola Ameobi, 30, who has played up front for Newcastle all his career.

There have been two on-field incidents of alleged racist abuse in the Premier League this season. Chelsea and England captain John Terry and Liverpool and Uruguay striker Luis Suarez have both denied accusations levelled against them.

 

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