Newcastle returned to the top of the Championship after crushing 10-man Coventry 4-1 at St James’ Park on Wednesday.
Chris Hughton’s side had lost pole position when West Bromwich Albion drew at Cardiff 24 hours earlier, but the Magpies were able to move three points clear of their nearest promotion rivals after coming from behind to win.
The fallen giants suffered a first-half shock when Clinton Morrison put Coventry in front in the 35th minute with a close-range finish from Michael McIndoe’s cross.
Nonetheless, Newcastle were behind for just two minutes as Wayne Routledge smashed home a superb volley from the edge of the penalty area.
The hosts dominated after half-time and took the lead when Andy Carroll headed in his eighth goal of the season from Kevin Nolan’s 53rd minute cross.
Coventry were down and out in the 70th minute when Routledge was brought down in the area by Leon Barnett and in-form Danish international Peter Lovenkrands converted the penalty.
Barnett was sent off for that offense and substitute Ryan Taylor capped Newcastle’s impressive display with a fourth goal in injury time.
While Newcastle winger Routledge could celebrate a crucial win, one of his former clubs, Crystal Palace, are in danger of slipping into the relegation zone after a 3-1 defeat against fellow strugglers Reading.
Neil Warnock’s team have been plunged into a relegation battle after being hit with a 10-point penalty for going into administration and Reading’s win at Selhurst Park leaves the Eagles above the bottom three only on goal difference.
Just three days after coming within minutes of knocking Aston Villa out of the FA Cup before being held to a 2-2 draw, Palace suffered a heavy hangover as Reading stormed into a two-goal lead.
The Royals went ahead in the 23rd minute when former Palace winger Jobi McAnuff crossed to Simon Church, whose acrobatic volley crashed into the ground before bouncing over Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.
The visitors scored again in the 47th minute as Brynjar Gunnarsson’s cross was headed into the path of Mali winger Jimmy Kebe, who side-footed past Speroni.
Palace substitute Sean Scannell headed home a Darren Ambrose corner in the 55th minute, but Church sealed the points for Reading with nine minutes left when he turned in Matthew Mills’ cross.
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