Still all to

Wells was harshly adjudged to have brought down Matt Ritchie for a penalty.

Daryl Murphy then made it 2-0 when he collected Shelvey’s long ball but appeared to kick it out of goalkeeper Danny Ward’s grasp to slot home in the 32nd minute.

And although Aaron Mooy pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, Newcastle substitute Dwight Gayle sealed the win in stoppage time.

But despite the comprehensive win for his side, Benitez is taking nothing for granted.

“It is a good result but that’s all,” Benitez said.

“Huddersfield have a game in hand. That could mean the gap goes down to eight points.

“It is so difficult in this division, it has to be a case of one game at a time and there are still many games to play.”

On his side’s performance to extend their lead at the top of Sky Bet Championship, the 56-year old added: “I was really pleased with everyone.”

“It does not matter whether you have a game plan if you don’t have the players. The players gave everything.

“We have a group of players who really try. We made some mistakes but it’s important we try to do our best. Huddersfield have some good players and we knew what to expect from this game.

“They are a good team, move the ball well and they will always keep pushing.”

Coventry have sacked manager Russell Slade after less than three months in charge.

A statement on the struggling League One club’s website said the 56-year-old had been “relieved of his first-team managerial duties” and that they would be looking to appoint his replacement “imminently”.

The statement added: “The club would like to wish Russell all the very best for the future.”