Bentley at the double

David Bentley made sure Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce endured a miserable return to the north-west as his Blackburn side won 3-1 at Ewood Park.

The England winger scored two superb goals and former Bolton boss Allardyce has now seen his side lose four of their last five matches.

However, the 6,000 travelling fans gave good backing on a day when midfielder Joey Barton went public on his anger over some ``vicious'' criticism of the team.

Barton missed a glorious chance at Ewood Park, but what will concern Allardyce is that they failed to defend their lead and caved in under pressure.

Obafemi Martins made the breakthrough at the start of the second half after a first period short on entertainment.. Brett Emerton was pulled up for a challenge on James Milner. Charles N'Zogbia drove the ball in and Martins escaped his marker to clip a header beyond Friedel.

However, Blackburn equalised in the 54th minute with a superb 25-yard free-kick from Bentley. The winger left Shay Given motionless after N'Zogbia had brought down Roque Santa Cruz.

Barton should have regained the lead for Newcastle two minutes later when Blackburn defender Christopher Samba's clearance rebounded off the midfielder, but he seemed to get his feet stuck under the ball and Friedel was eventually able to make the block.

Blackburn took the lead in the 67th minute when Bentley rifled a shot into the corner off the post. The winger came within a whisker of getting his hat-trick in the 74th minute, his effort coming back off the post.

Substitute Morten Gamst Pedersen headed wide in the 84th minute before Tugay scored a third in stoppage time. The veteran Turkish playmaker was released by Roberts after Pedersen started the move with Newcastle pushing forward.