Papiss Cisse's sixth goal in a Newcastle United shirt has given the Magpies a one-goal advantage over Liverpool as the two sides headed into the break at the Sports Direct Arena this afternoon.
Visiting Liverpool controlled large parts of possession throughout the half, but they were unable to find a route past Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul.
The Dutch international was on hand to tip Craig Bellamy's deflected cross onto the bar, before he raced off his line to force former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll into heading off target from close range.
Carroll's misery was further compounded when he was shown a yellow card by referee Martin Atkinson for diving inside the penalty area.
The £35m striker then went close again in the 15th minute, but his effort was cleared off line by full-back Danny Simpson, who appeared to use his arm to make the clearance.
The only goal of the half arrived in the 19th minute. Hatem Ben Arfa curled in a left-footed cross which Cisse headed in with the aid of the post.
Cisse squandered another headed effort late in the half as the hosts were forced to settle for a 1-0 lead.
Victory for Newcastle will take them 11 points clear of Liverpool in the Premier League table.
Liam Apicella
