Newcastle United 1-0 Derby

Newcastle United put the disappointment of the midweek draw to QPR behind them with an accomplished display against Steve McClaren\s Derby side.

With the added frustration of a lack of transfer activity to add to the mix Rafa was clear before the game that now was a time for all pulling together and not starting to witch hunt.

Both on and off the pitch the club rallied to his cry. Another impressive Gallowgate Flags display off the pitch was met with and equally impressive one on it, in the most part at least. Rafa too was decisive in his actions dropping Lascelles after a number of shaky displays of late whist welcoming back Diame to the starting line up and giving Mitro a start up front.

STARTING XI: Darlow, Yedlin, Clark, Murphy, Dummett, Hayden (Perez, 49), Shelvey, Ritchie, Gouffran (Lascelles, 92), Diame, Mitrovic (Amdobi, 84)

The game would be decided by a great strike once more from Ritchie in the 27th minute. And whilst the visitors could have nicked a point with virtually the last action of the game in 5 minutes of injury time a DeAndre Yedlin header from off the line would mean a welcome 3 points for Rafa and his men, putting Newcastle back to the top of the table, for now at least.

In all truth Newcastle should have been out of sight well before that late scare, with Mitrovic in particular failing to take advantage from 5 yards out when it seemed easier to score. Nonetheless, 3 precious points it is sending the vast majority of the 52,000+ crowd home happy once more.

Match action here...