Andy Carroll scored twice as Newcastle cruised past struggling Scunthorpe to re-establish their four-point lead at the top of the Championship table.
Carroll put the Magpies in front when he headed home Danny Guthrie's corner after just 10 minutes.
Peter Lovenkrands then scored for his fifth straight game after Wayne Routledge's defence-splitting pass.
After the break Carroll got his second of the game with a delicately chipped finish following a pass from Guthrie.
Scunthorpe defeated the Magpies at Glanford Park earlier in the season but Newcastle had lost only one of the 22 league games they had contested since and were always in control.
Shortly after Carroll's opener, Kevin Nolan thought he had doubled his team's lead with a header but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Lovenkrands smashed the ball against the crossbar after Iron keeper Joe Murphy had spilled Jose Enrique's cross, but the stopper later redeemed himself with a fine save from Carroll's powerfully-struck shot.
Murphy could not prevent Lovenkrands from extending their lead but made another fine save to deny the Dane shortly before the break.
After Carroll scored his second, Magpies keeper Steve Harper made a good save to deny Jonathan Forte and then denied substitute Martyn Woolford with nine minutes remaining.
Jonas Gutierrez might have added a fourth late on after his mazy run at goal ended with a shot that Murphy palmed away.
Newcastle boss Chris Hughton:
"It's a wonderful position that we have worked hard to put ourselves into (in the league).
"We always knew the most important gap was between first and third, and we have worked hard to be able to do that.
"With the staff we have got and the playing staff we have got, I don't see that being a difficulty, bringing them back down to earth."
Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins:
"That's a Premier League side you have just seen out there, end of story, so we don't need to get too disillusioned about the result because that is a Premier League side and a very, very good one.
"We play Plymouth at home on Saturday followed by Peterborough at home on the Tuesday, and we have got to look at the big picture.
"The big picture is making sure we stay in the division."
90:00+3:05 The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.
Full Time
90:00+2:36 Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
90:00+2:02 Foul by Grant McCann (Scunthorpe) on Wayne Routledge (Newcastle). Free kick taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) from left channel, passed.
90:00+1:35 Shot by Donal McDermott (Scunthorpe) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), comfortable save (caught) by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
90:00+0:57 Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
90:00+0:46 Shot by Jonathan Forte (Scunthorpe) left-footed from centre of penalty area (18 yards), missed left.
89:39 Foul by Jonathan Forte (Scunthorpe) on Tamas Kadar (Newcastle). Free kick taken right-footed by Steve Harper (Newcastle) from own half, resulting in open play.
88:53 Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
87:51 Foul by Tamas Kadar (Newcastle) on Martyn Woolford (Scunthorpe). Free kick taken left-footed by Sam Togwell (Scunthorpe) from right channel, header by Martyn Woolford (Scunthorpe) from centre of penalty area (6 yards), missed left.
87:15 Attacking throw-in by Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe).
87:07 Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
86:55 Shot by Leon Best (Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
86:33 Shot by Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (parried) by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
85:11 Defending throw-in by Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe).
83:45 Cross by Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), resulting in open play.
82:44 Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
81:47 Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
81:15 Substitution Newcastle substitution: Peter Lovenkrands replaced by Nile Ranger (tactical).
80:25 Shot by Martyn Woolford (Scunthorpe) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (caught) by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
75:08 Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
74:37 Substitution Newcastle substitution: Sanchez Jose Enrique replaced by Tamas Kadar (tactical).
74:22 Substitution Newcastle substitution: Andrew Carroll replaced by Leon Best (tactical).
74:10 Shot by Donal McDermott (Scunthorpe) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed right.
73:02 Foul by Wayne Routledge (Newcastle) on Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe). Free kick taken left-footed by Sam Togwell (Scunthorpe) from left channel, resulting in open play.
72:06 Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle).
70:28 Sanchez Jose Enrique (Newcastle) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe) from own half, resulting in open play.
69:50 Foul by Sam Togwell (Scunthorpe) on Danny Guthrie (Newcastle). Free kick taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
69:15 Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
69:05 Shot by Sanchez Jose Enrique (Newcastle) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
68:25 Foul by Sam Togwell (Scunthorpe) on Wayne Routledge (Newcastle). Free kick taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) from right channel, passed.
68:15 Cross by Donal McDermott (Scunthorpe), save (caught) by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
67:31 Defending throw-in by Andrew Wright (Scunthorpe).
66:41 Attacking throw-in by Wayne Routledge (Newcastle).
66:29 Cross by Sanchez Jose Enrique (Newcastle), clearance by Michael Raynes (Scunthorpe).
66:03 Corner from left by-line taken short right-footed by Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle).
65:22 Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
65:04 Attacking throw-in by Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe).
64:34 Foul by Peter Lovenkrands (Newcastle) on Andrew Wright (Scunthorpe). Free kick taken right-footed by Andrew Wright (Scunthorpe) from own half, passed.
63:54 Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
63:44 Shot by Grant McCann (Scunthorpe) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed left.
62:52 Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle).
62:40 Shot by Andrew Carroll (Newcastle) right-footed from right side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe).
61:54 Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
61:42 Shot by Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed right.
61:14 Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
60:32 Goal kick taken short by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
60:02 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) to far post, header by Andrew Carroll (Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
58:58 Foul by Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle) on Donal McDermott (Scunthorpe). Free kick taken right-footed by Andrew Wright (Scunthorpe) from own half, passed.
55:01 Booking Andrew Carroll (Newcastle) booked for unsporting behaviour.
54:58 Substitution Scunthorpe substitution: Paul Hayes replaced by Donal McDermott (tactical).
54:50 Substitution Scunthorpe substitution: Michael O'Connor replaced by Sam Togwell (tactical).
54:02 Assist (pass) by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) from own half.
54:02 GOAL - Andrew Carroll:Newcastle 3 - 0 Scunthorpe Goal by Andrew Carroll (Newcastle) right-footed (top-right of goal) from left side of penalty area (6 yards).Newcastle 3-0 Scunthorpe.
52:51 Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
52:29 Defending throw-in by Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe).
51:04 Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
50:26 Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
49:49 Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
48:50 Foul by Andrew Carroll (Newcastle) on Michael Raynes (Scunthorpe). Free kick taken left-footed by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe) from own half, resulting in open play.
46:37 Defending throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique (Newcastle).
45:54 Attacking throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique (Newcastle).
45:01 The second half kicks off.
45:00+1:08 The match has reached half-time.
Half Time
45:00+0:23 Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
44:57 Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
44:08 Shot by Peter Lovenkrands (Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (30 yards), save (caught) by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
43:45 Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle).
43:15 Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
42:02 Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
40:30 Corner from left by-line taken short left-footed by Grant McCann (Scunthorpe).
40:20 Cross by Jonathan Forte (Scunthorpe), blocked by Wayne Routledge (Newcastle).
39:00 Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
38:21 Foul by Peter Lovenkrands (Newcastle) on Michael O'Connor (Scunthorpe). Free kick taken right-footed by Michael O'Connor (Scunthorpe) from right channel, resulting in open play.
37:45 Corner from left by-line taken short right-footed by Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle).
36:43 Defending throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique (Newcastle).
36:08 Foul by Wayne Routledge (Newcastle) on Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe). Free kick taken left-footed by Grant McCann (Scunthorpe) from own half, passed.
34:37 Shot by Peter Lovenkrands (Newcastle) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), blocked by Jonathan Forte (Scunthorpe).
33:58 Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
33:43 Shot by Sanchez Jose Enrique (Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (25 yards), missed right.
33:24 Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
33:09 Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
32:53 Attacking throw-in by Andrew Wright (Scunthorpe).
32:38 Defending throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique (Newcastle).
31:53 Andrew Carroll (Newcastle) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe) from own half, resulting in open play.
31:23 Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
30:41 Defending throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
30:03 Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
29:49 Shot by Jonathan Forte (Scunthorpe) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed right.
29:21 Header by Andrew Carroll (Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), save (caught) by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
28:54 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) to far post, save (punched) by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
28:36 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) to far post, clearance by Andrew Wright (Scunthorpe).
28:03 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) to far post, shot by Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle) left-footed from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe).
27:55 Cross by Kevin Nolan (Newcastle), clearance by Rob Jones (Scunthorpe).
26:47 Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
26:34 Attacking throw-in by Andrew Wright (Scunthorpe).
26:14 Cross by Wayne Routledge (Newcastle), shot by Peter Lovenkrands (Newcastle) right-footed from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), save (parried) by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
25:48 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Michael Raynes (Scunthorpe).
25:33 Shot by Andrew Carroll (Newcastle) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Andrew Wright (Scunthorpe).
24:58 Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
24:10 Shot by Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), blocked by Michael Raynes (Scunthorpe).
23:40 Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
23:21 Shot by Michael O'Connor (Scunthorpe) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed right.
22:38 Foul by Peter Lovenkrands (Newcastle) on Grant McCann (Scunthorpe). Free kick taken left-footed by Grant McCann (Scunthorpe) from left channel, passed.
22:20 Attacking throw-in by Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe).
21:21 Assist (pass) by Wayne Routledge (Newcastle) from right channel.
21:21 GOAL - Peter Lovenkrands:Newcastle 2 - 0 Scunthorpe Goal by Peter Lovenkrands (Newcastle) left-footed (top-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 2-0 Scunthorpe.
20:45 Defending throw-in by Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe).
19:24 Attacking throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique (Newcastle).
19:09 Attacking throw-in by Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle).
18:54 Shot by Andrew Carroll (Newcastle) left-footed from right channel (20 yards), save (parried) by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
17:04 Defending throw-in by Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe).
16:26 Goal kick taken long by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
16:09 Shot by Wayne Routledge (Newcastle) left-footed from right side of penalty area (18 yards), missed left.
15:48 Cross by Sanchez Jose Enrique (Newcastle), shot by Peter Lovenkrands (Newcastle) left-footed from centre of penalty area (6 yards),
14:12 Attacking throw-in by Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe).
13:20 Shot by Andrew Carroll (Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (25 yards), resulting in open play.
12:39 Defending throw-in by Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe).
11:29 Kevin Nolan (Newcastle) caught offside. Free kick taken left-footed by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe) from own half, resulting in open play.
10:25 Foul by Michael Raynes (Scunthorpe) on Andrew Carroll (Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) from left channel, resulting in open play.
9:23 Assist by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) from right by-line.
9:23 GOAL - Andrew Carroll:Newcastle 1 - 0 Scunthorpe headed goal by Andrew Carroll (Newcastle) (top-left of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Newcastle 1-0 Scunthorpe.
9:08 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) to centre,
9:01 Cross by Danny Simpson (Newcastle), blocked by Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe).
8:08 Foul by Grant McCann (Scunthorpe) on Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle). Free kick crossed right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) from right channel, clearance by Rob Jones (Scunthorpe).
7:07 Defending throw-in by Andrew Wright (Scunthorpe).
6:29 Shot by Peter Lovenkrands (Newcastle) left-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (punched) by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
5:55 Cross by Wayne Routledge (Newcastle), save (caught) by Joe Murphy (Scunthorpe).
5:38 Attacking throw-in by Danny Simpson (Newcastle).
4:54 Attacking throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique (Newcastle).
2:58 Defending throw-in by Marcus Williams (Scunthorpe).
2:29 Foul by Andrew Carroll (Newcastle) on Garry Thompson (Scunthorpe). Free kick taken right-footed by Andrew Wright (Scunthorpe) from own half, resulting in open play.
1:59 Goal kick taken long by Steve Harper (Newcastle).
1:45 Attacking throw-in by Garry Thompson (Scunthorpe).
1:22 Handball by Michael O'Connor (Scunthorpe). Free kick taken left-footed by Sanchez Jose Enrique (Newcastle) from left channel, passed.
1:02 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) to near post, clearance by Grant McCann (Scunthorpe).
0:34 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Danny Guthrie (Newcastle) to centre, header by Fitz Hall (Newcastle) from centre of penalty area (12 yards), blocked by Josh Wright (Scunthorpe).
0:05 Attacking throw-in by Sanchez Jose Enrique (Newcastle).
0:00 The match gets underway.
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