Newcastle United have defeated Leeds United 2-0 at Elland Road to make it eight wins in succession in the Championship, taking them five points clear at the summit.
The Magpies had Dwight Gayle to thank for their latest triumph, with goals either side of half time proving to be enough to end the Whites' own recent impressive run of form.
Leeds, who had won three in a row to climb into playoff contention, end the weekend sitting in seventh place - one point adrift of the top six.
In front of a first sold-out Elland Road in six years, the visitors made a bright start and came close to opening the scoring early on when Gayle tested Rob Green.
Having seen plenty of the ball in the opening quarter of the game, the Magpies finally made it count 23 minutes in thanks to a real blunder from Leeds keeper Green.
The experienced stopper failed to keep hold of Jack Colback's long, hopeful punt forward and Gayle was there waiting to pounce from close range to open the scoring in Yorkshire.
Luke Ayling nearly levelled things up prior to the break, testing Karl Darlow with a decent attempt, while the home side also had a penalty shout for handball turned down after the ball hit Colback and deflected behind.
United were not having things all their own way, as Eunan O'Kane became the latest player to test Darlow, but United were on course for a ninth win on the bounce in all competitions when Gayle doubled his tally for the day.
Following some smart interplay Vurnon Anita picked out the division's top scorer, who slid in to help the ball home in front of the 32,000 spectators.
Leeds stepped things up in search of a route back into the game, but it was Newcastle who came closest to adding a third when Mohamed Diame blasted a shot on target late on.
Daniel Lewis
