By ANDY BAKER
Nolan came back to haunt Newcastle by bagging the winner at St James’ Park yesterday — the Scouser’s fifth of the season.
West Ham’s Captain Marvel caused Alan Pardew’s men all sorts of problems in tandem with ex-Toon team-mate Carroll as the Hammers climbed to sixth.
And Upton Park boss Allardyce is convinced that the pair — big pals off the field — take their understanding on to it to prove a constant nightmare for Premier League defences.
After leading West Ham to a 1-0 triumph — their first win on Tyneside for 14 years — against his old club, Allardyce said: “Kevin’s relationship with Andy is such a good one that I don’t need to do a lot of coaching with the two of them.
“If anything, they instinctively play off each other.
“While Andy’s struggling to get a goal — and we’d like him to get one — Kevin’s scoring them, so we’re reaping the benefits of that relationship.
“The combination of the two of them is causing problems for other teams.
“Kevin’s our captain and leading goalscorer, he has got us the win with his goal and his instincts in the box are there for all to see.
“It’s five goals in 11 games for him and it should be six because he’s also had one chalked off.
“Andy’s getting better and better as time goes on for us and that partnership with Kevin is brilliant. Long may it continue because it’s getting us victories and points on the board.”
