Newcastle United stayed top of the Championship with a 3-0 win over Ipswich Town.
Newcastle United made it five wins on the bounce on Saturday, breezing past Ipswich thanks to Ayoze Perez’s brace and Matt Ritchie’s strike.
Rafael Benitez’s side remain top of the Championship by three points. Here are five things we learned from their latest victory.
Newcastle do not need to rely on Shelvey or Gayle
Over recent weeks, Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight Gayle have been Newcastle’s heroes, with the midfielder’s passing and the striker’s goals guiding the Magpies to victory, but that was not the case against Ipswich.
Gayle did not really get a sniff of goal, and Shelvey was not at the same level he has been during recent games, although he was still influential in the middle of the park.
Instead it was Perez and Ritchie who manufactured this black-and-white victory.
The rebirth of Ayoze?
Perez has not enjoyed the brightest start to the season, struggling to adapt to the rigours of the Championship.
Against Ipswich, however, the Spaniard looked back to his best. Perez took both of his goals brilliantly, and provided a neat assist for Ritchie, easily making him Newcastle’s man of the match.
This could be where Perez’s season really begins, having repaid Benitez for the faith he put in him.
Magpies in cruise control
The game was practically over after the first minute when Perez found the net, with Ipswich showing little in front of goal, with former Magpie Lleon Best’s effort against the bar the closest they came.
It was an comfortable afternoon for Benitez’s men, who strolled to victory without really having to get out of first gear.
While there are no easy games in football, this was as close as you will get.
The Magpies are blessed at right-back
DeAndre Yedlin swapped places with Vurnon Anita on Saturday, with the American replacing the versatile Dutchman at right-back.
Anita has done brilliantly at right-back, especially with it not being his preferred position, but has shown he is more than capable of being Newcastle’s first choice for the position.
However, so has Yedlin. The speedy defender has done brilliantly since joining Newcastle, and showed again against Ipswich that he is also capable of being the top right-back at the club.
Benitez loves to rotate, and he will be more than happy to keep swapping his right-backs with the quality he has there.
No signs of Newcastle’s form ending any time soon
Having hit top spot after beating Barnsley in midweek, Newcastle widened their lead to three points. While it is now five wins in their last five, things have not really looked difficult for Newcastle.
Benitez’s side are only going to get better, which is a terrifying thought for the rest of the Championship. While Huddersfield’s early flurry has hit a bump, and Norwich are having problems, the Newcastle train keeps on chugging away.
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