Toon close in on Europe

Alan Shearer celebrates his 200th Premiership goal

Newcastle 3-0 Charlton
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Newcastle moved a big step closer to securing a Champions League place for next season with a comfortable win over Charlton at St James' Park.

The Magpies took advantage of Chelsea's defeat by Manchester United to move six points clear of the Londoners in fourth place, thanks to goals from Gary Speed and Lomano LuaLua.

And the afternoon was capped off by Alan Shearer's 200th Premiership goal.

Newcastle forced four corners in the first five minutes, and the home crowd were screaming for a goal on ten minutes when Kiely caught LuaLua's cross and landed with his feet behind the goal line.

I could never have imagined I would score 200 goals in the Premier League and the reaction those fans gave me in the last few minutes will live with me forever

Goal machine
Alan Shearer

The Magpies contributed to their own frustration, with LuaLua - rewarded for his goal at Derby with his first start of the season - showing flashes of skill but also inexperience.

Laurent Robert's pass sent the young striker clear but Paul Konchesky chased him down to shepherd the ball back to Kiely.

Newcastle's pressure paid off on 21 minutes when Speed connected with Nolberto Solano's well-delivered corner to bullet in a header for his sixth goal of the season from 12 yards.

Charlton had a chance to level a minuter later when the Newcastle defence failed to clear Konchesky's long throw and Scott Parker fired his close-range shot straight at Shay Given.

LuaLua scored for the second match running

As Charlton slowly worked their way back into the game, Jason Euell controlled a long throw and Scott Parker toe-poked a shot wide from 12 yards.

Speed's foul on Parker gave Charlton an opportunity 22 yards out, but they failed to take advantage as Konchesky hammered a shot into the wall.

Jonatan Johansson almost took advantage of Sylvain Distin's slip but could only fire harmlessly across the face of goal.

Newcastle made Charlton pay for failing to cash in by doubling their 44 seconds after the restart.

We've come away here 3-0 and it looks as if we've been pummelled and we haven't, but we've got to score more goals

Addicks boss
Alan Curbishley

Lua Lua showed great skill in controlling Robbie Elliott's pass and spinning away from his marker to bury his shot pasy Kiely.

Richard Rufus and Euell spurned further half chances to put Charlton back in the game.

LuaLua's confidence was growing and he showed his skills to work himself a chance to fire a powerful shot just wide.

Charlton's work-rate could not be faulted, but Shearer managed to put the icing on Newcastle's cake when he moved on to a through ball and drove his shot past Kiely.

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Newcastle: Given, Hughes, O'Brien (Dabizas 70), Distin, Elliott, Solano (Jenas 78), Dyer, Speed, Robert (Bernard 78), Shearer, Lua-Lua.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Bellamy.
Booked: Bernard.

Charlton: Kiely, Young, Rufus, Costa, Konchesky, Stuart, Kinsella, Parker (Lisbie 73), Robinson, Johansson, Euell (Fortune 90).
Subs Not Used: Bart-Williams, Brown, Ilic.
Booked: Costa, Parker.

Attendance: 51,360

Referee: M Dean (Cheshire).