Nigerian ex-junior international, Sone Aluko, stunned Newcastle with a superb winner as Hull fought back to claim a memorable 3-2 victory at St James’ Park.
The goal sent a powerful signal to the Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, that Aluko ought to be included in the star studded team that would take on the Walyas Antelopes of Ethiopia in the first leg of the final play-off of the 2014 World Cup already slated for Addis Ababa on October 12, 2013.
The Nigerian steered an inch-perfect 76th-minute volley past goalkeeper Tim Krul to snatch victory after the Tigers had twice come from behind on Tyneside.
But Magpies boss, Alan Pardew, would have been furious with the way his side capitulated on a day when striker Loic Remy demonstrated his potency.
The Frenchman, the club’s only senior summer addition, struck twice before the break to give his side the lead, much to the delight of watching owner, Mike Ashley, and Director of Football Joe Kinnear.
However, to the horror of the bulk of a crowd of 51,523, Newcastle endured a dreadful day at the back and were made to pay for their failings.
It took Remy just 11 minutes to get his name on the scoresheet, heading home from close range after strike-partner, Papiss Cisse, had dragged a shot across the face of goal.
But after a promising start by the Magpies, they allowed Hull to work their way back into the game and they were level within 15 minutes when Robbie Brady was gifted time and space inside the penalty area to beat Krul.
The home side were laboured in the efforts to restore their advantage, but they did so a minute before half-time when Remy pounced on a loose ball to beat goalkeeper Allan McGregor for a second time.
But Newcastle failed to learn their lesson and were punished once again with the second half just three minutes old when former Sunderland winger, Ahmed Elmohamady, ran unchecked on to Brady’s free-kick to level.
The home side flattered to deceive for long periods, dominating possession, but creating too little to make the pressure count as the Tigers defended deep to pave the way for Aluko’s late strike.
Kinnear, who sat alongside Ashley, had defended his summer transfer dealings in his programme notes, citing “grossly over-inflated” fees and agents’ demands for the lack of permanent signings.
He also expressed his delight with the one man he did manage to get through the door, and Remy repaid his faith in style in his first home start.
Newcastle came out of the blocks with genuine purpose and pinned the Tigers back deep inside their own half, and it took them just 11 minutes to get their noses in front.
Moussa Sissoko’s cross from the right fell perfectly for Papiss Cisse beyond the far post and although he mishit his volley, the ball sat up nicely for Remy to plant a header past McGregor.
However, as Hull retreated behind the ball, they managed to stem the flow, largely frustrating man-of-the-moment, Hatem Ben Arfa, down the right and central front man, Cisse.
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