Alan Shearer led the way with two typical striker's goals as Newcastle completed a hat-trick of Premiership wins tonight.

United took their tally for the season to nine against hapless Coventry with a 4-1 victory to add to the 5-1 success they recorded at Highfield Road earlier in the season.

But they had to come from behind after Noel Whelan gave the visitors an early lead.

Shearer cancelled out the deficit within a minute before Gary Speed, Louis Saha and the striker again completed the job.

In truth, United failed to hit the heights they have done in recent weeks, and the result once again was slightly flattering. But manager Ruud Gullit insists that results matter more than pretty football, and his team proved that they can graft when they need to.

Shearer's display was another reminder to his detractors that he is still among the most dangerous front men in the country as he reached 13 goals for the season.

With wide men Stephen Glass and Nolberto Solano firing on all cylinders, the future at St James' Park is looking as bright as it has done in months.

Speed won his fight for fitness to continue in central midfield, while Saha replaced Temuri Ketsbaia up front and Nicos Dabizas came in for the unfortunate Warren Barton.

Coventry included former Monaco defender Muhamed Konjic at the back, while Trond Soltvedt also won a place in the starting 11.

Konjic was in the thick of the action almost immediately as he slid in to block Shearer's fifth-minute shot after a good link-up between the England captain and Peruvian Solano.

It took Shearer just a further two minutes to test Magnus Hedman for the first time with a 20-yard effort which skidded off the sodden St James' turf to make life difficult for the goalkeeper.

Coventry gradually came into their own as Steve Froggatt forced Laurent Charvet to concede a series of corners, and Glass had to throw himself in front of David Burrows' close-range drive with quarter-of-an-hour gone.

The respite, however, was short-lived as former Magpie Darren Huckerby momentarily slipped away from marker Steve Howey and found Whelan, who thumped a left-foot shot past Shay Given to make it 1-0.

City's delight was killed before it had time to blossom when Saha fed Shearer down the right and he raced clear to fire past Hedman and square the match less than minute later.

The rain and the dreadful surface were making things difficult for both sides, and there were few clear openings as the half wore on.

Shearer's flick over the top put Saha into space wide on the right. He struck his effort well, but the narrow angle meant that Hedman was able to save with little difficulty.

Richard Shaw did just enough to disrupt Shearer as he dived to head Solano's 37th-minute cross towards goal. Roland Nilsson then had to be on his toes four minutes later to prevent Saha reaching Solano's cross in front of goal.

Newcastle effectively wrapped up victory within 13 minutes of the second half with a double blast which left Coventry with a mountain to climb.

Shearer's industry and strength fashioned a 55th-minute opening for Speed, who slid in to slip the ball past Hedman.

The home fans were still celebrating when United were awarded a right-wing corner.

Solano picked out Saha at the near post, and his downward header beat Hedman at the near post to make it 3-1.

Newcastle were not playing as well as they had done in recent weeks but they eased their way further ahead with 75 minutes gone.

Dietmar Hamann took aim with a free-kick 25 yards out, and although Hedman did well to keep out his thunderbolt Shearer followed up to slip the rebound into the empty net.

If anything, the closing stages were something of an anti-climax. But that did not matter to the black-and-white fans, who were content to sing their side home before leaving with smiles on their faces.

Teams

Newcastle: Given, Charvet, Howey, Dabizas, Domi, Hamann, Solano, Glass (Brady 65), Speed (Barton 86), Saha (Ketsbaia 76), Shearer.

Subs Not Used: Harper, Hughes.

Goals: Shearer 19, Speed 55, Saha 58, Shearer 75.

Coventry: Hedman, Nilsson, Shaw, Konjic, Burrows, Boateng, Soltvedt (Clement 66), McAllister, Froggatt,Huckerby (Aloisi 75), Whelan.

Subs Not Used: Ogrizovic, Edworthy, Telfer.

Booked: Konjic, Burrows, Boateng.

Goals: Whelan 18.

Att: 36,352

Ref: S Dunn (Bristol).