( AFP ) - Mark Viduka scored twice on his return from injury as Newcastle turned on the style to beat West Ham 3-1 at St James' Park on Sunday.
Australian forward Viduka has been troubled by a hamstring problem but he was back to score his first home goals for Newcastle either side of Dean Ashton's strike for West Ham.
Charles N'Zogbia grabbed a third in the second half to clinch the points for Sam Allardyce's side, but the Newcastle manager's joy will have been tempered by Michael Owen's continuing injury woes.
Owen was substituted soon after half-time for the second successive match as the England star struggles to shake off a groin problem.
Allardyce has insisted Owen doesn't need an operation to cure the injury, but he may think again after this latest setback.
"I'm not sure what the extent of the injury is, whether it's the same or different," Allardyce told Sky Sports. "The game's just finished so we will find out later on.
"It was a bit of a lacklustre performance in first half but we got two goals. That's what it is about sometimes - converting chances.
"It was a terrific goal from Viduka. It's a great result and a real bounce back after the disappointment against Derby."
While Owen struggles, Viduka was firing on all cylinders.
Newcastle had been woeful at Derby on Monday and they began as if determined to quickly erase memories of their first defeat under Allardyce.
Within two minutes they were ahead thanks to a perfect display of the forward's art from Viduka.
N'Zogbia whipped in a cross from the left wing and Viduka used his strength to get in front of Anton Ferdinand and direct a powerful header past Robert Green.
West Ham arrived on Tyneside unbeaten since losing to Manchester City on the opening day and with a 100 percent winning record on their travels this season.
But they took 20 minutes to recover from the shock of falling behind.
It was Mark Noble who finally shook Alan Curbishley's side out of their lethargy. The youngster is becoming West Ham's driving force and his surging run gave him room to fire in a low shot that Steve Harper pushed away for a corner.
Inspired by Noble's energy, West Ham upped the tempo and drew level in the 32nd minute.
Lucas Neill's long throw was only cleared to Carlton Cole and the West Ham forward flicked a header to Ashton, who swivelled to volley past Harper.
Ashton's second goal of the season was the first conceded by Newcastle at home this season, but they responded well to the setback.
David Rozehnal's long pass down the right flank gave N'Zogbia the chance to show his pace as he sprinted past Lee Bowyer before checking back to send in a low cross towards Viduka. The Australian timed his run well and slid in to finish from close range. Viduka's confidence was sky-high now and he tested Green from the edge of the area just before half-time.
Just as everthing seemed to be going to plan for Allardyce, in the 51st minute he lost Owen to injury for the second time in a week.
Curbishley sent on Senegal striker Henri Camara for his debut midway through the second half and but his side's best chance to equalise fell to Bowyer.
The former Newcastle midfielder forced a second fine stop from Harper with a shot from 12 yards that the keeper plunged to his right to keep out.
That saved proved decisive as Newcastle went up the other end and scored a third moments later.
N'Zogbia had already set up two goals so it was only fair that he got to profit from someone else's good work.
The French left-back's pass to Obafemi Martins was drilled in by the Nigerian and N'Zogbia raced into the six-yard box to supply the finish.