NEWCASTLE United extended their lead at the top of the Championship courtesy of a 3-1 victory at Huddersfield.

The Magpies held their nerve after first half goals from Matt Ritchie, a penalty, and Daryl Murphy to see the game through.

Huddersfield pulled one back through Aaron Mooy, but Dwight Gayle was on hand to seal the victory in stoppage-time.

Here are the main talking points from a satisfying evening at the John Smith’s Stadium.

DEFENSIVE STRENGTH

When Newcastle needed to show a strength of character in defence, they did so to get the job done against Huddersfield.

The Terriers pressed hard after the restart to try to claim a point and the visitors, who only had 24 per cent of the possession, had to be strong.

There have been times this season when Newcastle have made mistakes and they have been costly. This time, apart from Jonjo Shelvey conceding the penalty which Aaron Mooy converted with 18 minutes to go, they stayed solid.

Despite plenty of home pressure, goalkeeper Karl Darlow didn’t have too many saves to make because the men in front of him did their job. Jamaal Lascelles was excellent alongside Ciaran Clark.

MURPHY’S LAW

Eyebrows were raised when Murphy was left out at Brighton and he was rewarded for the impact he enjoyed at the Amex with a start and a goal in Huddersfield.

The Irishman has not started too many games – this was his third in the league - since his summer switch from Ipswich, but he had a crucial role to play here.

His fourth goal for the club had controversy surrounding it. He nicked the ball away from goalkeeper Danny Ward, with the officials allowing it. It was a tight call, but one replays suggested was the right one.

Gayle is fit again now and finished the game with a goal, although Murphy’s cheeky finish will have been noted by Rafael Benitez. They have won every time he has scored in the Championship.

MATT’LL DO NICELY

Matt Ritchie scored from the spot and his performance was more than that. He has returned to the sort of form he was showing earlier in the season and it has been no coincidence that his performances have steered Newcastle to important wins.

Ritchie is one of the best players in the Championship and when he is on song he can be just as important out wide to the Magpies as Jonjo Shelvey is in the middle.

That’s 12 goals now for the Scotland international since arriving from Bournemouth in a £12m deal and he has been well worth the big fee.

If he can keep playing like he is then Newcastle’s chances of finishing off the promotion push will be significantly stronger.

BRIGHTON BOUNCE

That’s six points from a possible nine against promotion rivals inside a week, with a trip to Reading to come on Tuesday.

In this sort of mood and form there is no reason why Newcastle shouldn’t be able to go there and break the club’s record for away wins in a season.

It was clearly an important final ten minutes at Brighton last week, when they turned staring defeat in the face into three points. The mood going into the Huddersfield trip would have been a lot different … so imagine what it should be like at Reading.

The challenge will be to make sure the players do not take nothing for granted, having built up an 11 point lead to the play-off zone even if third placed Huddersfield do have a game in hand.

There is no disguising, however Rafa Benitez attempts to dress it up, Newcastle are on course for a quick return to the Premier League.

MANAGERIAL REACTION

Rafael Benitez said: “I am pleased but we have still won nothing. It is still one game a time, many points to play for. We have to enjoy this and then in a couple of days we have to go to Reading. We have to be ready for that.

“We knew we were playing against a team comfortable in possession, we decided to play counter attack. I wouldn’t say we were comfortable because they were pushing, but we were working and we stopped them.

“What we did was defend well and every time we did we counter attacked and scored the last one, when they were taking the risk. The fans will be delighted. We were well organised. Playing against this team we knew we had to work hard.

“I haven’t seen the penalty or anything. If the referee decided, he decided. I don’t see anyone doing us any favours.”

David Wagner said: “I think we played well. I think the players tried everything. I was happy with their working attitude. It was harsh to take the first two goals we conceded. I still believe the first was not a penalty, maybe a handball before it too.

“The second one Ward controls the ball and he is not allowed to be attacked and he was attacked, and he got a knock in this situation too, so he was not able to carry on. These details went against us today and details like this determine results.

“We knew we were up against a top team and they showed that today, they defended well.”