3 ....... NEWCASTLE leaders grab points

with a simple ball over the top of the Town defence.

Murphy’s first touch took the ball away from goal and as Ward came out to smother the ball there were suggestions the Newcastle frontman took it out of the goalkeeper’s hands before prodding home.

Cue remonstrations from Town’s players – Christopher Schindler was booked – while Ward departed at half-time with a dead leg following that collision with the Newcastle player.

Having gone 2-0 up by half time, Newcastle showed a more physical approach in the second half, targeting Town’s flair players with a number of robust challenges.

Ciaran Clark set the tone in the opening minute of the second period, bringing down Izzy Brown, with Shelvey booked for a similar offence on the Chelsea loan man later in the half.

With a battle ensuing, midfield general Hogg entered the fray in place of Billing as Wagner’s men slowly got to grips with things on the physical side.

And the home side were rewarded in the 71st minute when Elias Kachunga was brought down in the box by Shelvey for a penalty.

After Van La Parra’s penalty miss at the same end of the stadium recently against Reading, it was left to Aaron Mooy to convert – sending Newcastle keeper Darlow to his left and rolling the ball into the opposite bottom corner.

Town were roared into life but as they went in search of a late goal, so synonymous with their season, they were undone by a Newcastle third in stoppage time as sub Dwight Gayle benefited from a misjudgment by sub keeper Joel Coleman.

Newcastle’s Mohamed Diame breaks away and finds Matt Ritchie but Town keeper Danny Ward tips the driven effort over the bar.