NEWCASTLE United made it three Championship wins in a row to maintain their improved form after a sticky start to the campaign.

Jamaal Lascelles scored the opener with a bullet header before Jonjo Shelvey added a fine second from a free-kick in the second half.

Here are the key issues to emerge from the game at St James’ Park:

DO THE MAGPIES NEED A TRACTOR BOY

Former Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy is on the verge of making a surprise move from Ipswich and his aerial presence and power will be an added bonus to the squad.

He might not be the most eye-catching player but he will provide a different option, particularly when, like today, Aleksandar Mitrovic is unavailable.

Ayoze Perez found it hard to deal with balls in the air against the towering sights of Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk, but he did show nice link up play.

Murphy, who was at St James’ Park to watch the game, will be able to hold up play and win the battles in the air too, even if it is from the bench, in a way that Glenn Murray often does for Brighton in the Championship.

WHAT ABOUT THE FULL-BACKS?

Benitez has made it clear he still wants another full-back in and Moroccan Archaf Lazaar is on the radar – and on Tyneside. A bid has been accepted for the 24-year-old, who can play on the wing too, and he is set for a medical.

DeAndre Yedlin was on the bench after replacing Daryl Janmaat in the squad, but the performances of makeshift full-back Vurnon Anita should have filled Benitez with plenty hope.

Anita was strong in the tackle and effective in possession once again and is clearly already a favourite of Benitez, even though Jesus Gamez came on in the second half. Anita was often the starting point of attacking moves with his tackling and determination.

A BIT OF FRENCH FLAIR

Who would have thought Yoan Gouffran would have worked his way into the manager’s thinking at this stage of the season?

The Frenchman only has a year remaining on his contract and the reality is he probably would still be sold before Wednesday if the right offer came along.

However, Gouffran followed up an impressive display at Bristol City with another solid outing today. He put the work in defensively and was dangerous on the attack.

He might even have capped it with a stunning goal had his 30-yard drive flew in rather than crash against the bar in the 24th minute after he had cleverly nutmegged Anthony Knockaert (who remains well liked by Benitez).

SAFE HANDS

Whatever the reasons have been, call it settling in if you like, Matz Sels has not looked like an international goalkeeper since arriving from Gent in the summer.

However, after Benitez remained faithful with him rather than name Karl Darlow between the sticks, the Belgian delivered against Brighton.

As well as make a number of good saves, his handling was strong and his distribution solid throughout the 90 minutes, keeping his second clean sheet in a row.

This is only one performance, but there were signs here that Sels could well develop into the Newcastle player his manager feels he will.

RAFAEL BENITEZ SAID:

“It was important to win against a team going well with players and a manager who has experience in this division.

“We got a lot of the things we were looking for today but there is still room for improvement.

“The team has been working very hard. But when you want change and improvement, it takes time.

“It is good to have another win before the international break, and it would be good to carry it on, but we have a rest now.”

CHRIS HUGHTON SAID:

“I thought it was a harsh red card. If you watch the second challenge, the keeper kicks Sam Baldock. He is not that sort of player.

“Newcastle were very efficient but it feels like a missed opportunity. They scored from two set pieces and although they hit the bar, we had the better chances.

“We are disappointed because we felt we had a good chance today and we didn’t pose as much of a threat as we should have.”