Leeds United 0 Newcastle United 2: Gayle's double silences packed Elland Road

After dominating the opening 20 minutes, Newcastle took a 23rd-minute lead when Rob Green spilled a 40-yard lob from Jack Colback and Dwight Gayle poked the loose ball home from close range.

Leeds were then incensed when referee Graham Scott failed to award them a 43rd-minute penalty for handball and Newcastle doubled their lead nine minutes after the interval when Vurnon Anita and Ayoze Perez played a lovely one-two to feed Gayle who easily finished from close range.

Defeat leaved Leeds seventh but still only one point off the play-offs ahead of next Saturday’s trip to bottom of the table Rotherham United.

Classy Newcastle are now five points clear at the top of the division and look destined to win the Championship at a canter.

Amid a crescendo of noise and a wonderful atmosphere, Newcastle did all of the early pressing with the Magpies going close to taking a fifth minute lead.

A corner won by top scorer Gayle was laid back from Jonjo Shelvey to Vernon Anita whose low shot took a deflection and squirmed behind Green’s goal.

Then, two minutes later, Green had to be alert to rush off his line and clear a Shelvey free-kick that threatened to pick out Gayle.

Leeds were struggling to get out of their own half against the Championship leaders but the game then became secondary in the 11th minute when both sets of fans united for a rousing minute’s applause in memory of Gary Speed.

But Leeds were then back under the pump a few minutes later with Gayle showing lightning pace to almost burst through, before Charlie Taylor made a brave and important block to keep out a fierce drive from Matt Richie.

More Newcastle pressure then led to a 20th-minute low drive from Richie being saved by Green at his left-hand post.