Match ends, Barnsley 0, Newcastle United 2.
BarnsleyBarnsley0NewcastleNewcastle United2
Newcastle went top of the Championship as Dwight Gayle's two goals earned them victory over Barnsley at Oakwell and a fourth straight league win.
Gayle forced home his 10th of the season early in the second half after the home side failed to clear a corner.
And the former Crystal Palace striker increased the lead from the edge of the box from Matt Ritchie's through ball.
Barnsley's Sam Morsy was just too high with a 25-yarder and they have now taken only one point from six games.
Rafael Benitez's Magpies, relegated from the Premier League last season, have won nine of their past 11 league games, and overtake Norwich at the summit who let a two-goal lead slip to draw at Fulham.
Newcastle went into the game having won only once previously in 15 league visits to Oakwell - a 5-0 success in 1983 when Kevin Keegan was among the scorers.
Barnsley had skipper Conor Hourihane back after missing Saturday's 4-2 loss to Fulham with a calf strain and they gave as good as they got for much of the first half, with full-back James Bree driving just wide after a free-kick rebounded to him off the defensive wall.
Gayle's double prompted head coach Paul Heckingbottom to make changes in a bid to rescue the game, with winger Adam Hammill clearly unhappy to be substituted.
The Magpies almost added a third late on as Jonjo Shelvey played an excellent free-kick into the box, but keeper Adam Davies reacted well to keep out the livewire Gayle's flick.
Barnsley manager Paul Heckingbottom:
"We worked our socks off, went toe-to-toe with the top of the league and two lapses in concentration cost us the game and they gave us absolutely nothing.
"Dwight Gayle was the difference and that's what they paid all that money for.
"On another day we might have got something from the game. It was much better tonight, but we've got to keep improving and aim higher."
"[Adam Hammill] showing a lack of respect to his team-mates is not on. He is frustrated, but I had a big problem with him not showing the lads respect."
Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez:
"The team played well and created chances. His job is to be there, fighting with the centre-back and try to score if he gets a chance. Dwight Gayle is on fire now, he is happy and we're all happy.
"I made it our priority in the summer to get him and Matt Ritchie to the club.
"We did that in the first half, while scoring in the second half where we had more time, more space and possession and we could play in a different way. I am really pleased as we did what we had to do."
Line-ups
Barnsley
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Davies
- 2BreeSubstituted forKpekawaat 83'minutes
- 4Roberts
- 18Jackson
- 17Yiadom
- 40Kent
- 8HourihaneBooked at 38mins
- 29Morsy
- 7HammillSubstituted forBradshawat 71'minutes
- 15WatkinsSubstituted forLeeat 71'minutes
- 9Winnall
Substitutes
- 5MacDonald
- 11Lee
- 13Townsend
- 19Kpekawa
- 20Bradshaw
- 28Williams
- 37Bird
Newcastle
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 26Darlow
- 8Anita
- 6LascellesBooked at 40mins
- 2Clark
- 3Dummett
- 12ShelveyBooked at 74mins
- 14Hayden
- 11RitchieSubstituted forAtsuat 83'minutes
- 15DiaméSubstituted forColbackat 90+2'minutes
- 20Gouffran
- 9Gayle
Substitutes
- 4Colback
- 7Lazaar
- 17Pérez
- 22Yedlin
- 28Sels
- 30Atsu
- 45Mitrovic
- Referee:
- Paul Tierney
- Attendance:
- 18,597
Match Stats
Home TeamBarnsleyAway TeamNewcastle
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away17
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away6
- Corners
- Home0
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home18
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Barnsley 0, Newcastle United 2.
Post update
Attempt saved. Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Dwight Gayle.
Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Jack Colback replaces Mohamed Diamé.
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Foul by Paul Dummett (Newcastle United).
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Elliot Lee (Barnsley) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Offside, Newcastle United. Paul Dummett tries a through ball, but Mohamed Diamé is caught offside.
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Attempt saved. Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Karl Darlow.
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Attempt saved. Adam Jackson (Barnsley) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Marc Roberts.
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Attempt saved. Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jonjo Shelvey with a cross.
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Christian Atsu (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Sam Morsy (Barnsley).
Substitution
Substitution, Barnsley. Cole Kpekawa replaces James Bree.
Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Christian Atsu replaces Matt Ritchie.
Post update
Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Sam Winnall (Barnsley).
Post update
Foul by Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United).
Post update
Adam Jackson (Barnsley) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Mohamed Diamé (Newcastle United) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Matt Ritchie with a cross.
Post update
Attempt missed. Marc Roberts (Barnsley) header from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Conor Hourihane following a set piece situation.
