It was a return to winning ways for Rafa Benitez and his Newcastle United side yesterday as the Toon Army ran out 4-0 winners over Birmingham City.
A Dwight Gayle hat-trick, along with a Yoan Gouffran strike was enough to see the Magpies reclaim top spot in the Championship, ahead of the chasing Brighton and Hove Albion.
While it’s fair to say the Blues never really showed up, it was important the league leaders got back to winning ways after three losses in the space of just a week.
Clearly, Gayle’s trio of strikes will receive the plaudits, though there were many reasons the Magpies walked away with three points, not least of all Birmingham’s lacklustre display.
Though it was far from a vintage Toon performance by any means, here are THREE reasons Newcastle smashed their opposition at St. James’ Park yesterday.
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