Dwight Gayle secures welcome away win

NEWCASTLE were forced to display their mettle as Dwight Gayle’s first-half strike secured a first away win since last December.

The Magpies were under the cosh for large periods of the game at Bristol City, but they defended resolutely and displayed commendable commitment to claim a one-goal win.

The victory, which was Newcastle’s first on the road since last year’s 2-1 victory at Tottenham, completes a successful week that has seen Rafael Benitez’s side finally come to terms with life in the Championship.

This wasn’t the most effective display they will produce all season, but it was an important marker in terms of the kind of spirit and resolve that will be required to achieve promotion this season.

Benitez’s team changes saw Jamaal Lascelles, Jack Colback and Mo Diame return to the starting line-up, with Paul Dummett, Jonjo Shelvey and Ayoze Perez dropping to the bench.

Diame was forced to miss Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Reading because of a knock, but the summer signing was the key player in the opening 45 minutes at Ashton Gate as Newcastle claimed a first-half lead.

His power and energy were a major feature of the visitors’ midfield play, and his 19th-minute through ball was crucial in teeing up Gayle’s opener.

Newcastle had already gone close at that stage, with Isaac Hayden heading Matt Ritchie’s corner wide of the target at the front post, and Gayle produced a clinical finish to claim his third goal in the space of two games.

Chancel Mbemba won the ball in his own half, and fed Diame close to the right touchline, who lofted a superb ball into Gayle’s path.

Newcastle’s number nine took one touch to bring the ball under control, and then without breaking stride, lashed home a ferocious left-footed strike from close to the edge of the area.

Hayden headed another corner wide as Newcastle looked to double their lead, but the visitors were forced to endure a couple of scares before the interval arrived.

Ciaran Clark, who was moved across to left-back to replace Dummett, produced a superb defensive header to prevent Tammy Abraham from nodding home from inside the six-yard box, and Matz Sels blocked Luke Freeman’s 30th-minute shot with his chest.

It was just as well that Sels made the save, as the Belgian goalkeeper was responsible for setting up the opportunity in the first place, with his poor attempt at a punch only succeeding in finding Freeman.

Sels continued to look shaky at the start of the second half, and Clark had to produce his second important intervention of the afternoon to prevent Jonathan Kodjia from reaching Freeman’s cross.

Bristol City enjoyed much more possession in the second period, but Newcastle were defensively solid, with Chancel Mbemba and Lascelles impressing at the heart of the back four and the recalled Colback covering a lot of ground at the base of midfield.

Colback was also influential at the other end of the field as Newcastle came within inches of doubling their lead with 18 minutes.

The midfielder fed the ball into Gayle, who spun his marker superbly before firing a low effort against the outside of the right-hand post.

Aden Flint headed Gary O’Neil’s corner wide as Bristol City tried to claim an equaliser, with Hordur Magnusson also failing to find the target from another set-piece.

Newcastle survived another scare in the final minute with Kodjia volleying over after Sels had flapped yet again at a deflected shot, but the visitors held on to claim a notable success.

Bristol City (4-2-3-1):  O’Donnell; Matthews (Little 21), Flint, Magnusson, Golbourne (O’Dowda 64); O’Neil, Reid; Kodjia, Tomlin, Freeman; Abraham (Wilbraham 72).

Subs (not used): O’Leary (gk), Williams, Brownhill, Pack.

Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Sels; Anita, Mbemba, Lascelles, Clark; Hayden (Shelvey 86), Colback; Ritchie, Diame (Perez 63), Gouffran; Gayle (Aarons 88).

Subs (not used): Darlow (gk), Sterry, Dummett, Hanley.