Alan Shearer claimed all three goals as Newcastle United helped themselves to a 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The Magpies now have a great chance of progressing to the last eight after Group A rivals Barcelona and Inter Milan played out a goalless draw, to leave Sir Bobby Robson's men just one point behind second-placed Inter with two games remaining.
It took the home side just five minutes to get off the mark when Shearer nodded home Gary Speed's cross.
The skipper doubled his sides lead in the 11th minute, again with a header.
He then claimed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after 36 minutes after Kieron Dyer was brought down by Thomas Klein.
Marko Babic pulled a goal back late on but the game had already been put beyond the Germans within the first 36 minutes to keep Newcastle's Champions League dream alive.
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