Newcastle needed only a Christian Atsu strike to earn a 1-0 victory over Rotherham United at the New York Stadium.
The Ghanaian struck the first-half winner to ensure Newcastle kept their place in the top two and keep Rotherham rooted to the bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table.
Newcastle's Yoan Gouffran had two early shots on goal with one blocked and the other straight at Lee Camp in a frantic start.
Rotherham then had defender Dominic Ball to thank after he somehow stopped Gouffran's volley from crossing the line with his chest.
The next chance fell the way of the home side with Greg Halford, only playing due to an injury in the warm-up to Joe Mattock, supplying a long throw into the box which fell kindly to Joe Newell whose shot was tipped over the bar by Karl Darlow.
Christian Atsu first-half strike earns Newcastle victory
