Image source, PA

Cliche time!

Newcastle have thrown down the gauntlet to Brighton in the race for the Championship title with a victory courtesy of two excellent goals.

You can follow Brighton's bid for the title with against Bristol City with us here on the BBC Sport website, alongside all the rest of the weekend's EFL action.

Thanks for following tonight's live coverage and goodnight.

Newcastle United's first goalscorer Christian Atsu told Sky Sports: "I always want to take free-kicks. I'm always confident. 

"We wanted to win because we wanted to put pressure on Brighton. We'll watch their game tomorrow and are expecting something good for us. 

"The manager Rafael Benitez gives me a lot of confidence, he comes to the line during the match and tries to encourage me."

Newcastle United goalscorer Isaac Hayden told Sky Sports: "The first half wasn't the best, it was a bit flat. Second half we came out and played our best. 

"The manager's been fantastic since he's come in, everyone's worked really hard, we're on the way up now and hopefully we can kick on in the Premier League."

This is the feeling you get when you help to keep your side in the Championship title race.

Image source, Rex Features

Two second-half goals and three points for Newcastle. They're only one behind the leaders.

Over to you, Brighton...

Joe Ralls wants handball for blocking an effort at goal, but he's not getting it.

Then Newcastle sub Jamie Sterry goes down the other end and strikes wide of goal when he could have passed.

We're into three minutes of added time.

Newcastle continue to keep the ball away from Cardiff until Anthony Pilkington comes forward and unleashes a strike a goal. It's high and wide.

Jonjo Shelvey is being roundly booed every time he gets the ball, but it doesn't distract as he fires from the edge of the area straight at the keeper.

Newcastle make a change, taking off Ayoze Perez for local boy Jamie Sterry.

The death knell of any game is the sound of 'Ole' from fans.

Newcastle are playing keep ball. Their fans are enjoying it. Why shouldn't they I guess?

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After that period of total Cardiff dominance, Newcastle calm things down before Aleksandar Mitrovic - not usually a man of calm - takes aim from the edge of the area, but it is deflected into the hands of the keeper.

Cardiff midfielder Craig Noone isn't having a good half.

He takes a free-kick in a position of real danger on the right, but floats it over everyone. Waste.

Cardiff are on top now as Anthony Pilkington puts in a really dangerous cross, but Kenneth Zohore gets under the ball, missing it totally.

Jazz Richards is a lucky boy.

He could be walking for a nasty lunge from behind on Newcastle goalscorer Christian Atsu, but the referee cautions Richards instead.

Craig Noone misses another chance at the back post for Cardiff and the opportunities missed are mounting up...

Kenneth Zohore's cross goes across the face of goal, reaching the onrushing Noone, who fired miles over.

Image source, Rex Features

Looking at replays again, Newcastle may feel aggrieved not to have had a penalty when Jazz Richards pushed Christian Atsu with both hands in the area.

Atsu did go down rather easily though.

Great work down the right for Newcastle sets Aleksandar Mitrovic free in the area, but his effort is saved by the legs of Allan McGregor.

Match. Sprung. Life.

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Newcastle's opening goalscorer Christian Atsu is getting plenty of appreciation on social media...

Andrew Neill: I don't know how many players Rafa Benitez will sign this summer but surely Atsu should be one of them.

SJ McNab: Atsu hit that free-kick so carefully. Looked more like a chipped pitch at The Masters.

End-to-end stuff as now Cardiff forward Kenneth Zohore heads over.

Then, to a chorus of boos, Newcastle bring on former Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey for Jack Colback.

Image source, Rex Features

Cardiff captain Sean Morrison is in the debt of his goalkeeper Allan McGregor, who dealt with his weak header back before Aleksandar Mitrovic can get there.

Newcastle are pressing for a third here, as Sean Morrison has to be at his best to head away a dangerous DeAndre Yedlin cross away from Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Soon after, goalscorer Christian Atsu comes close to his second of the evening, striking just wide from the edge of the area.

Bruno Ecuele Manga comes so close to reducing Cardiff's deficit from a corner, but can only head off target.