Wigan 0-2 Newcastle: Mo Diame strikes as Toon leapfrog Brighton

Newcastle bounced back to the Sky Bet Championship summit with a clinical 2-0 victory over struggling Wigan Athletic.

Brighton's win over Blackburn on Tuesday had lifted them to the top but it would be for 24 hours only as goals from Mohamed Diame and Christian Atsu won the points.

The Toon have now won 15 of their last 19 league matches and have the best away record in the division having secured 25 points on the road.

This latest blank at home for Wigan means they haven't scored in five games at the DW Stadium and remain 23rd in the league, four points from safety.

Despite the busy festive period approaching, Rafa Benitez decided against changing a winning formula as he kept the same XI that saw off Birmingham City 4-0 at the weekend while Will Grigg returned for Wigan.

The Northern Irish cult-hero was a bystander for much of the opening period as Newcastle dominated the ball with Jonjo Shelvey dictating play.

Jussi Jaaskelainen - the oldest player in the EFL at the age of 41 - had to be on his toes on 10 minutes to turn away a dipping 20-yard effort from Diame.

The attacking midfielder got the better of that battle with 26 minutes gone.

Picking up the ball near half-way, he drove at the Wigan backline, who backed off towards their own goal. He played a quick one-two with Yoan Gouffran before holding off two Wigan defenders and firing home from close range. It was his first league goal for club since joining from Hull City in the summer.

Shelvey went close to doubling the lead just before half-time but his effort from 18 yards was turned away by Jaaskelainen, who proved age is just a number with his individual performance.

Grigg did get an opportunity to break his longest run without a goal for Wigan on 58 minutes but his clever flick at the near post drifted just wide of the post.

Wigan were made to rue that chance when Newcastle substitute Atsu clinically finished a counter attack with 13 minutes remaining. 

The 5,000 travelling fans celebrated as the Toon Army's march back towards the Premier League gathers further momentum.