Watch: Gayle finishes 1-touch move as Newcastle extends league lead
Newcastle United cut itself further adrift of the chasing pack in the Championship on Sunday thanks to a brace from pacey hitman Dwight Gayle against Leeds United.
The former non-league player was often deployed as a substitute in his previous stint at Crystal Palace, but under Rafa Benitez has been entrusted with regular involvement from the first whistle. The decision has paid dividends, with the 26-year-old's poacher's instincts and acceleration yielding 13 goals in as many league appearances.
His second in the trip to Leeds was a beauty. Jack Colback, Ayoze Perez, and Vurnon Anita were involved in some stunning interplay before the latter slid it across for Gayle to easily convert.
| # | Team | Played | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newcastle United | 17 | 23 | 40 |
| 2 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 17 | 16 | 35 |
| 3 | Reading | 17 | 5 | 31 |
| 4 | Huddersfield Town | 17 | -2 | 29 |
| 5 | Birmingham City | 17 | 4 | 28 |
| 6 | Norwich City | 17 | 0 | 27 |
| 7 | Leeds United | 17 | 0 | 26 |
| 8 | Fulham | 17 | 5 | 25 |
| 9 | Sheffield Wednesday | 17 | -2 | 25 |
| 10 | Bristol City | 17 | 3 | 24 |
Newcastle entertains 22nd-placed Blackburn Rovers at St James' Park next Saturday.