Oliva Watt, Lauren Robson and Erin Nelson got the goals - all in a blistering first-half performance from the Lady Magpies - to take Becky Langley's side to the summit, having played a game more than the Merseysiders.

Under the Druid Park floodlights, Watt opened the scoring after just three minutes, heading home powerfully from Georgia Gibson's corner.

Kacie Elson came close with an overhead kick and Nelson hit a post before Robson made it 2-0 in the 16th minute. The winger unleashed a piledriver from a tight angle, with her effort crashing in off the bar for one of the goals of the campaign so far.

Jane Harland then saw a looping effort cleared off the line but in the 37th minute, another spectacular strike - this time from Nelson - put United three up. She let fly from 25 yards and her strike flew into the top corner. 

There were fewer chances in the second period, with Newcastle seemingly content to sit on their comfortable lead ahead of Sunday's big game at Leeds United Women.

But there was a moment to remember for recent signing Ella Wilson, who made her debut for the black and whites in the 79th minute - and in stoppage time, Kim Wild was shown a second yellow card as the visitors ended the match with ten players.

Most importantly, though, United ended it top of the table as their promotion bid continues and the season nears its climax. 

Newcastle United Women: Grace Donnelly, Brooke Cochrane, Jane Harland (Ella Wilson 79), Beth Guy, Olivia Watt, Ellen Packham, Sharna Wilkinson, Georgia Gibson, Kacie Elson, Lauren Robson, Erin Nelson (Becky Ferguson 68)

Subs not used: Keira Skelton, Georgina Spraggon, Lois Greenslade

Photograph courtesy of Colin Lock/@Tyneside_NUWFC