Quickfire first-half goals from Ryan Fraser and Fabian Schar earned Newcastle United a fifth win in six matches as they beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 at St James’ Park.
Fraser put the hosts ahead on 12 minutes when he reacted quickest after Jacob Murphy’s dink came back off a post.
Schar doubled Newcastle's lead two minutes later by powerfully heading in Fraser's cross.
Brighton had started well and were initially frustrated in their attempts to get back into the match as Martin Dubravka saved Danny Welbeck's header.
Lewis Dunk headed in a Pascal Gross corner on 55 minutes as the visitors threatened a second-half comeback.
But they were denied by Dubravka, who kept out another Dunk effort and an attempt from Leandro Trossard.
Newcastle's eight-match unbeaten run keeps them 14th with 28 points, five behind 13th-placed Brighton.
See: Newcastle report | Brighton report
Next fixtures
Newcastle: 10 Mar v Southampton (A)
Brighton: 12 Mar v Liverpool (H)
Match officials
Referee: Martin Atkinson. Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, James Mainwaring. Fourth official: Chris Kavanagh. VAR: Lee Mason. Assistant VAR: Richard West.
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