By Alan Duffy

Newcastle United 3-1 Blackburn Rovers – Premier League – September 24 2011

Blackburn Rovers failed to build on last week’s 4-3 win against Arsenal, going down 3-1 to Newcastle at St James’ Park.

The Magpies’ summer signing Demba Ba was the star of the show, netting a hat-trick to keep Newcastle’s unbeaten start to the league campaign in tact. Blackburn’s David Hoillet netted a consolation goal but Alan Pardew’s men proved too strong for Steve Kean’s side who had Swede Martin Olsson sent off in the second-half.

Another positive for the home side was the presence of French attacker Hatem Ben Arfa, who replaced Ba on 74 minutes to make his first appearance in the Premier League in nearly a year.

Hatem Ben Arfa still can’t wink without closing both eyes. Is that a V-sign he’s giving or a hip-hop “peace” salute?

Ba celebrates his first of the day

Kissing with confidence

Leon is Best as Scott Dann and Steven N’Zonzi come up short

Ba makes it two

Hoillett gets one back for Rovers

Em-Ba-rrassing for Blackburn (sorry) as the striker nets his third

Ruben Rochina challenges a re-born Ben Arfa

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