Wigan Athletic 0-2 Newcastle United

Newcastle were fast out of the blocks, putting together some very slick passing moves and looking dangerous.

Diame fired a powerful left footed strike towards the top right hand corner, only for Jussi Jääskeläinen to produce a fine save. Yoan Gouffran also had an effort that flew over the bar, but the signs were there.

Wigan did come back into the game a little after twenty minutes, with Wilschut making a powerful run down the right hand side, but his cross missed everybody in the box.

The opening goal came around the half hour mark and it was Mo Diame, who had been brilliant since the start. He picked up the ball and went on a glorious run, out powering the Wigan defence, before playing a neat give-and-go with Isaac Hayden and slotting calmly past the keeper.

The hosts never really got a foothold in the game and if anything, Newcastle looked more likely to double their lead before the break. Sixteen goal marksman struck a decent free kick which forced the keeper into action once again. Shelvey then shaved the right post after the ball bounced fortuitously in his path.

I think it is fair to say, Newcastle will not have many halves of football so comfortable this season.

The second half began and it was much the same. Newcastle dominating the ball and trying to ware Wigan out.

Wigan did have their best chance though and it came through Will Grigg. A corner was whipped in from the left hand side and the Northern Irishman glanced a header inches wide of the far post...Karl Darlow was beaten. The next time Wigan threatened though, the Newcastle goalkeeper got down well to palm away an Andy Kellett shot. Aside from that, Wigan could not really muster any sort of chance and it seemed that the game was getting away from them.

Rafa Benitez threw on Christian Atsu for Matt Ritchie and the Ghanaian winger wrapped the game up with a very good finish, after Gouffran had pulled the ball back across from the left.

That goal really deflated Wigan and the remaining embers of the game were extremely comfortable for the Magpies. Ayoze Perez came on for Dwight Gayle, who surprisingly did not find the net tonight.

All in all, it was a very professional performance from Newcastle. They brushed aside Wigan and recaptured the top spot. However, Rafa will see this as nothing more than three points and will not allow the lads to get ahead of themselves. Burton Albion await them on Saturday and three points will be expected to come home with them.