Newcastle United have climbed into second spot in the Championship table after goals from Yoan Gouffran and DeAndre Yedlin gave the Magpies a 2-0 victory away at Derby County this evening.
Rafael Benitez's charges put the pressure on from the off and they finally made some early dominance count when Jonjo Shelvey's cross found Gouffran, who tucked his finish into the bottom-left corner beyond Scott Carson.
Neither side were able to muster much else in the opening half, but Derby's Markus Olsson was unfortunate not to level the scores just after the break, having risen above his marker only to head over Matz Sels and the frame of his goal.
Mohamed Diame sought to push Newcastle into a controlling position going into the final 15 minutes, but the midfielder saw his long-range effort flash wide of the post.
County almost carved a route back into the game minutes later, though, as Ikechi Anya picked out an inch-perfect cross for the run of Nick Blackman, but he was unable to guide his header past an inspired Sels down low.
Diame might have made the final embers of the game a little more comfortable for the visitors only to see his shot kept out by Carson.
Newcastle were finally able to put the game to bed, however, when Yedlin turned home from close range following a corner to leave the final score at 2-0.
Christopher Dodd
