Gayle fires Newcastle top

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.

Gayle hooked a backheel just over the bar 10 minutes later, as he somehow connected with Matt Ritchie’s cross after setting the winger free down the right flank and bursting into the box to meet his delivery.

Newcastle, backed by a huge away following, had started the game impressively, but they were soon knocked out of their stride as the Reds harried and hustled them all …

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