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

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

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