However Pardew's players gave him the perfect start, with Kevin Nolan putting the home side ahead and strikes from Joey Barton and Andy Carroll sealing victory after a Dirk Kuyt equaliser.

BBC: Newcastle boss Alan Pardew accepts fans' ambivalence

But that will matter little to Hodgson as he contemplates the solid defending that yielded his side's first clean sheet since August, not to mention the possibility of sealing a top-half finish at Newcastle next weekend.

BBC: Youssouf Mulumbu

The desperate Scarlets' challenge petered out, Malone sealing the win with a last-minute penalty that still left the home side the very slim consolation of a losing bonus point.

BBC: Scarlets 22-29 Harlequins