Dwight Gayle grabbed a second-half brace as Newcastle won 2-0 at Barnsley to secure a fourth consecutive victory and move top of the Sky Bet Championship table.
After an unconvincing first-half, the Magpies moved up a gear after the break and Gayle took his tally to 11 goals for the season with two clinical finishes to overwhelm a gritty Barnsley side, who suffered a fifth defeat in six outings.
A frenetic opening saw few chances created, with returning Barnsley skipper Conor Hourihane having the game's first real effort after 12 minutes, firing just wide from the edge of the box.
Barnsley 0-2 Newcastle United
