Newcastle United 3 Plymouth 0

TOON forward Peter Lovenkrands netted a hat-trick as Newcastle United eased into the fourth round of the FA Cup at the expense of Plymouth Argyle.

After a 0-0 draw down at Home Park, the Magpies players were looking to stamp their authority on the game and make it through to face West Brom.

And they certainly delivered with a confident display that proved too much for The Pilgrims.

United snatched the lead on nine minutes after a good move inside the left channel.

Jonas drove hard and slipped a nice pass into Lovenkrands who latched on to the ball before slamming it left-footed into the top corner to net his third of the season.

The lead was probably a deserved one for Newcastle who had just edged the opening period.

Plymouth then hit back at United but could not turn their possession into chances.

United then created two half chances for Andy Carroll but a hooked effort ended up on the roof of the net and then a chance at the back stick brushed the side netting.

Plymouth responded with a shot from Ashley Barnes but Krul was equal to it.

Barnes then squirted another effort well wide at Gallowgate on 25 minutes but Newcastle United still looked comfortable.

Nicky Butt picked out Jonas down the left and after firing in a shot from an impossible angle his effort went straight at Larrieu, and on 33 minutes Carroll smashed one on the turn but it went straight at the keeper.

Carroll and Jonas then exchanged passes a minute later but Carroll blazed it high over the top.

But it all came good again as Jonas crossed on 47 minutes for Lovenkrands who glanced a header beyond Larrieu from close range to make it 2-0.

United looked in full control at the start of the second half with Plymouth struggling to get out of their own half.

Newcastle were doing the simple things right, getting blocks in, staying with their men and using row Z when needed.

United made their first change of the night with 20 minutes to go, as Pancrate came off for Guthrie.

But the Toon made it 3-0 on 71 minutes when Carroll knocked the ball down for Nolan who found the Big Dane who grabbed his treble.

I was at St James' to bring you all the action from the game, and to replay my live blog click below.