Newcastle United moved back up to third in the Premier League table with a 3-0 win over relegated Ipswich Town.
Alexander Isak’s penalty on the brink of half-time gave the Magpies the lead before Dan Burn and substitute Will Osula scored in the second-half.
Newcastle had named an unchanged starting XI for seven consecutive matches but were forced into a change against Ipswich after a knee injury for Joelinton saw Joe Willock come into the midfield.
Bruno Guimaraes had a goal disallowed when he was adjudged to have fouled Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer, although replays showed the Brazilian simply stood his ground.
Ipswich were reduced to 10 men in the 37th minute when Ben Johnson was shown a second yellow for a foul on Isak. Johnson’s first came seven minutes earlier when he was booked for a dive.
Tempers then began to flare in the closing stages of the first-half but Isak managed to keep his cool when he opened the scoring from the penalty.
Referee Michael Salisbury initially waved away appeals after Jacob Murphy went to ground under a challenge from Julio Enciso. However, VAR intervened to send Salisbury to the monitor and the decision was overturned.
Isak, who scored a hat-trick at Portman Road in December, stepped up to score his 26th goal of the campaign.
Ten minutes into the second-half, United doubled their lead when Burn headed home Kieran Trippier’s cross. Trippier then claimed another assist after his corner was headed home by Osula for his first his Premier League goal.
Our writer Jordan Cronin was at St James’ Park - and here are his Newcastle United player ratings:
9. Joe Willock - 6
Slotted into Newcastle’s midfield in Joelinton’s absence. Saw a shot cleared off the line in the second-half. | Getty Images
10. Jacob Murphy - 8
At the heart of Newcastle’s most dangerous moments. Delivered plenty of crosses into the box and won the penalty at the end of the first-half. | AFP via Getty Images
11. Harvey Barnes - 6
Fired a second-half effort narrowly wide but was relatively quiet by his recent standards. | AFP via Getty Images
12. Alexander Isak - 7.5
Wasted two golden opportunities just minutes apart but still proved to be influential. His clever touch saw Ben Johnson sent off. Then stepped up to score the penalty. | Getty Images