Dwight Gayle moved to the top of the Sky Bet Championship goal-scoring charts with a brace as Newcastle beat Brentford 3-1 at St James' Park to climb to second in the table.
Jonjo Shelvey was the architect behind all three of the home side's goals as they recorded a third straight league win.
Ciaran Clark headed in the opener for the hosts, while Scott Hogan's second-half effort for the Bees was little more than a consolation.
Rafa Benitez had urged his side to make a good start in his programme notes and the Spaniard was not to be disappointed as the hosts went two up inside 16 minutes in front of a bumper crowd of 51,885.
Newcastle United 3-1 Brentford
