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Two goals from Kevin Nolan helped Newcastle to victory at Reading which all but sealed the Championship title for the Magpies.Nolan scored his first when he turned marker Alex Pearce before firing past Adam Federici from 12 yards.
And just before the break Nolan scored his 18th of the season when he was on hand to tap in Wayne Routledge's cross.
Danny Simpson's own goal gave Reading hope when a clearance hit his back and rolled in, but Newcastle clung on.
The Magpies now hold a nine-point lead and plus-13 goal difference over West Brom who have just three games remaining of their season.
Chris Hughton's men rarely needed to get out of third gear against a Reading side who had an outside chance of reaching the play-offs.
The Royals, who went into the match having lost only two of their last 15, began well with forward Shane Long coming close with a half-volley from a tight angle inside the area.
But their fortunes soon changed when Championship player-of-the-season Nolan created enough power on his shot to score with his side's first effort on goal.
The former Bolton midfielder then became Newcastle's top scorer this season when he converted Routledge's fine delivery.
Nolan should have grabbed his hat-trick after the restart but his header rebounded off the Reading post.
The home side looked set for a hiding but a Simpson own goal gave Brian McDermott's side a much-needed boost.
The former Manchester United defender was unlucky to feel Jonas Gutierrez's goal-line clearance strike his back and fly into the Magpies goal after Steve Harper had initially pushed away Long's header.
Reading pressed hard for an equaliser but their search was affected by a serious-looking injury to defender Bryn Gunnarsson, who had to be stretchered off.
Newcastle01 Harper02 Coloccini (Jose Enrique 46)06 Williamson12 Simpson16 Taylor yellow card04 Nolan yellow card08 Guthrie (Carroll 75)10 Routledge (Barton 75)17 Smith18 Gutierrez23 Ameobi yellow cardSubstitutes26 Krul,03 Jose Enrique,07 Barton,21 Pancrate,11 Lovenkrands,20 Best,24 CarrollRef: GrahamAtt: 23,163NEWCASTLEPossessionReading 49%Newcastle 51%Attempts on targetReading 3Newcastle 2Attempts off targetReading 6Newcastle 6CornersReading 10Newcastle 3FoulsReading 6Newcastle 13
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