Newcastle needed only a Christian Atsu strike to earn 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.