English Premier League: Magpies maintain momentum

Cabaye fired Newcastle in front after 14 minutes, knocking home the rebound after a Papiss Cisse header had come back off the crossbar. The Frenchman then turned provider four minutes later when he produced a slide-rule pass to put Cisse in on goal, and he made no mistake with a left-foot finish. Newcastle’s third arrived after 57 minutes with Cabaye again at the heart of things, firing Demba Ba’s assist into the bottom-right corner.

At the other end of the table, Blackburn’s hopes of escaping the bottom three were given a welcome boost with a 2-0 win over Norwich at Ewood Park. Morten Gamst Pedersen whipped in a cross for Mauro Formica to side-foot home at the far post. Junior Hoilett added another four minutes into the second half. The win was not enough to lift Blackburn out of the drop zone, but they climbed above Bolton who were held to a 1-1 draw by Swansea.

The Swans took just six minutes to break the deadlock through Scott Sinclair, who unleashed a superb curling shot into the top corner. But Bolton were level after 14 minutes when Chris Eagles provided a left-footed finish to Martin Petrov’s cross.

Wigan’s survival hopes suffered a setback with a 2-1 defeat against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Emerson Boyce smashed home from the edge of the area to give the in-form Latics a 58th-minute lead. But Fulham were level a minute later through Pavel Pogrebnyak, and a header from Philippe Senderos a minute from time snatched the points for the Cottagers.

Aston Villa and Sunderland had to settle for a goalless draw at Villa Park.

Meanwhile, in the Championship, Derek McInnes’ Bristol City secured saftey as Portsmouth and Coventry were both relegated.

Pompey went down 2-1 at home to Derby, while Coventry suffered a humbling 2-0 reverse at home to already-relegated Doncaster.

Bristol City defeated Barnsley 2-0, Cole Skuse and Jon Stead (penalty) on target.

Reading, fresh from sealing promotion, gave title rivals Southampton some hope ahead of the Saints’ late kick-off by drawing 2-2 with Crystal Palace.

Blackpool confirmed their place in the play-offs with a 4-0 win over Burnley – Scots Stephen Dobbie and Stephen Crainey contributing a goal each.