LITTLE appears likely to stop Dwight Gayle and Newcastle United on what looks increasingly like an inevitable immediate return to the Premier League - not a smack to the face and certainly not in-form Leeds United.

One week after damaging four teeth following an altercation during a night out in Liverpool, Gayle’s extraordinary season continued as he scored both goals in a thoroughly clinical and impressive victory at Elland Road.

It took his season tally to 13 goals in as many games, made it nine straight victories for his team and ensured that, after 17 games, Rafa Benitez’s side has now collated more points than in any season since 1992-93.

That campaign, of course, ended in promotion to the top flight under Kevin Keegan and, with every passing week and every vanquished rival, it is hard to imagine any other conclusion to the current season.

Ignoring the anomaly of two defeats at the very start of the season in August, Newcastle have now collected 40 points from the last 45 that have been available to them.

But perhaps the most impressive aspect of this latest three points was the fact that Gayle’s two goals were both converted from practically point-blank range such was Newcastle’s domination and ability to scythe through the opposition.

Admittedly, the first of his goals also enjoyed a large helping hand, or hands, from Leeds’ former England goalkeeper Robert Green.

He made a complete misjudgement of dealing with a hopeful 40-yard punt forward from Jack Colback, a decision by the Magpies’ midfielder that proved wise as he spied Green off his line and saw the Leeds keeper fail to catch the ball under his cross-bar, dropping it at the feet of Gayle who tapped home.

The second goal, after 54 minutes, was far more indicative of the confidence and swashbuckling style that Newcastle can produce, as a patient build-up around the Leeds area ended with Vurnon Anita and Ayoze Perez playing a neat one-two.

Anita continued to the by-line before sending over a perfect cross that beat Green and allowed Gayle to slide in and convert his second.

"You’ve got to follow everything in and luckily he’s dropped it,” said Gayle of the first of his goals. “I can’t help but score at the moment.”

Gayle had not been quite so blessed last weekend, on that fateful night out on Merseyside which reportedly left him needing dental attention after losing the veneers to his teeth although, despite being called to the scene, police have taken no action.

Asked about the incident, Gayle could manage a smile and said: "There was no doubt I’d play, I was fine.”

Gayle certainly gave that impression in the manner of his finishing and general contribution to a fine Newcastle performance against a team that came into the contest with the best run of form in the division, with the exception only of Brighton and Newcastle themselves.

And he was the headline performer in a heavyweight clash in front of over 36,000 - Elland Road’s largest attendance since a cup tie with Arsenal nearly six years ago.

Those supporters rose as one on 11 minutes to pay tribute to Gary Speed, a former favourite with both clubs, as the fifth anniversary of his death approaches but it would be the visitors who took an early grip on proceedings.

Newcastle showed great patience in the opening exchanges, weighing up the hosts, prodding and probing inquisitively and defending competently when required before taking the lead on 23 minutes.

Yoan Gouffran could have doubled the lead soon after, with an 18-yard shot that whistled past the post, but Newcastle were required to weather a committed ending to the first half by Leeds, starting on the half-hour when they failed to clear a Kalvin Phillips free-kick and Luke Ayling’s looping header was tipped over by Karl Darlow.

There were also some highly hopeful penalty appeals for the home side although referee Graham Scott stood firm against them all - including the best of them when Leeds felt Colback had deliberately handled a Ronaldo Vieira cross.

“His hands were raised, his back half-turned,” said Leeds manager Garry Monk. “I have seen many penalties given like that. In my opinion, it’s clear-cut. I’ve had many penalties given against myself and my teams for less than that.”

But the pivotal moment of the game may well have come on 49 minutes when, after a strong start to the second half from Garry Monk’s side, Eunan O’Kane shot quickly on the turn and Darlow dived sharply to save at full stretch.

Moments later, Gayle scored his and Newcastle’s second and the fight and belief visibly drained from their opponents.

Souleymane Doukara played through a dangerous pass which had Darlow scampering out of his area to clear, inches ahead of Kemar Roofe, and the keeper again did well to save a Doukara header as Leeds pressed for a lifeline.