Newcastle look like they are beginning to enjoy life in the Championship as they battled to victory at Crystal Palace.

The Magpies shrugged off the uncertainty surrounding the club to keep up with the pace at the top of the table courtesy of first-half goals from Kevin Nolan and Ryan Taylor.

The future on Tyneside is still up in the air, with owner Mike Ashley to give an update on his attempts to sell the club on Monday and Messiah-elect Alan Shearer still waiting in the wings.

But things are certainly looking brighter on the pitch, with caretaker boss Chris Hughton putting forward a strong case to stay in charge himself.

Hughton's side not only scored two stylish goals, but they were also prepared to dig in against Neil Warnock's no-nonsense outfit.

The boys in custard yellow did get off to a perfect start, taking the lead with less than two minutes on the clock.

Jonas Gutierrez picked up the ball on the left, saw Nolan's clever run into the area and found the former Bolton midfielder with a clever chip.

Nolan made no mistake with a first-time finish through the legs of Eagles keeper Darryl Flahavan for his first Magpies goal.

Palace attempted to hit back and Freddie Sears, still looking for his first goal of the season after 'that' strike was ruled out last weekend, forced a fine save from Steve Harper with an angled drive.

Harper also denied former Magpies midfielder Darren Ambrose, before the visitors doubled their advantage in fine style.

Ryan Taylor collected Jonas' square pass 25 yards out and, spotting Flahavan off his line, sent a delightful left-footed curler into the top corner to open his account for the club.

Palace almost pulled one back before the break when Steven Taylor, in the Newcastle side despite being linked with Everton, was given the slip by Alan Lee - who put a header narrowly wide.

In the second half, Newcastle had a let-off when Alassane N'Diaye's diving header flew the wrong side of the post.

Eagles boss Warnock was screaming for a penalty when N'Diaye was dragged to the ground in the area by Alan Smith, but referee Andy D'Urso was not interested.

In-form Shola Ameobi had the chance to add to his four-goal tally this season after a slick move found him alone in the area, but he sidefooted his effort horribly high and wide.

Palace dominated the final stages, with Harper saving from Lee's header, but the Magpies stayed strong to secure a third straight win and maintain their unbeaten start.

Teams:

Crystal Palace Flahavan, Butterfield, McCarthy, Fonte, Hill,Danns (Scannell 68), Derry, Ambrose, N'Diaye, Sears (Moses 67),Lee.

Subs Not Used: Clyne, Carle, Lawrence, Djilali, Ertl.

Booked: Hill, McCarthy, Lee.

Newcastle Harper, Simpson, Coloccini, Steven Taylor,Jose Enrique, Ryan Taylor (Butt 65), Nolan, Smith,Gutierrez (Geremi 89), Guthrie (Ranger 66), Ameobi.

Subs Not Used: Krul, Xisco, LuaLua, Kadar.

Goals: Nolan 2, Ryan Taylor 21.

Att: 20,643

Ref: Andy D'Urso (Essex).