Lua Lua’s double as Newcastle nail Hammers

Democratic Republic of Congo international Lua Lua put Newcastle on their way to victory with goals after 61 and 72 minutes before further strikes by Alan Shearer (76) and Peruvian Nolberto Solano (86) completed the rout.

The five other leading title contenders — champions Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Leeds United and Chelsea — also won their opening games over the weekend.

A delighted Robson paid tribute to man-of-the-match Lua Lua.

“He is brisk, he’s strong, he’s got a bit of fizz about him — no-one knows what he’s going to do, I don’t and he doesn’t so how can anybody else?” Robson told Sky Sports television.

“But the crowd love him. He scored two goals tonight and had a hand in another. He deserved to be man of the match.”

Newcastle, despite the absence of Gary Speed, Craig Bellamy and Carl Cort through injury, created the better openings in a tight first half played under pelting rain.

Former England captain Shearer had one effort ruled out for a push in the 29th-minute, while twinkle-toed forward Lua Lua caused a few flutters with two fierce shots that flew narrowly wide.

But the floodgates opened in the second period as West Ham subsided.

Lua Lua’s first came just after the hour mark when the impressive Jermaine Jenas flicked on a corner and the 21-year-old slotted the ball low into the net past David James.

Lua Lua celebrated with his trademark tumble and was at it again soon after when he met a cross by new Portuguese signing Hugo Viana with a powerful header that flew into the net via James’s hand and the crossbar.

Newcastle were in total control and Lua Lua had a hand in their third, poking the ball through for Solano to set up Shearer who made no mistake from 10 metres out. Shearer then wriggled down the left flank before crossing for Solano to tap in the fourth four minutes from time.

Two searing drives, one from Joe Cole and the other from Michael Carrick, that both flew wide were all West Ham could muster on a worrying night for their manager Glenn Roeder.

“We knew it would come,” said Shearer. “Once it went to one it was just a question of how many we would get.

“It’s a great start, we played some decent stuff. We got the three points and it was very important that we did as the other teams that are expected to be up there all had a good start.

“We didn’t want to playing catch up after only one game.”

A disappointed Roeder said: “Here we go again. It’s very disappointing when we analyse the goals it was some very poor defending.

“For the first 61 minutes it was okay then the wheels fell off.” (Reuters)