Newcastle United will be top of the Sky Bet Championship at Christmas following a 2-1 victory at Burton Albion last weekend.

Rafa Benitez’s side knew that a win would see them remain ahead of nearest challengers Brighton come December 25, and Dwight Gayle gave them a 15 minute lead against the Brewers thanks to his 17th goal of the season.

Lloyd Dyer equalised for Nigel Clough’s men but Mo Diame scored what turned out to be the winner 11 minutes before half time to secure the Magpies’ their 16th league victory of the campaign.

It means that they will go into their Boxing Day clash against Sheffield Wednesday a point clear of Chris Hughton’s Brighton in the race for promotion to the Premier League.

The second half of 2016 has been much better for Newcastle fans, who saw their side labour to relegation from the top-flight in May, only to bounce back admirably and set the pace in this season’s Championship.

And, with Christmas on the horizon, we thought we’d take a look back and review Newcastle’s year, and have selected their top THREE goals of 2016…

Andros Townsend vs Chelsea (February 13)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egLdL78jHso

It may have been nothing more than a consolation on a disappointing afternoon for Newcastle, but Andros Townsend’s effort against Chelsea was magnificent.

The 25-year-old had only joined the Magpies a week earlier from Tottenham, but he soon made his intentions clear with a fine run from just inside the Chelsea half, before firing a rocket past the outstretched Thibaut Courtois in the Blues goal.

Townsend would go on to net three more times for Newcastle, but was unable to keep them in the Premier League.

Andros Townsend vs Southampton (April 9)

If his strike against Chelsea was good, the one against Southampton was even better.

It was yet another poor afternoon for the travelling Magpies, who were 3-0 down when Townsend conjured up a moment of magic.

He received Vernon Anita’s pass down the right, and started heading towards the touchline before turning Jordy Clasie inside out before driving towards the box.

The English international weaved his way past the Southampton defence on the edge of the box, before firing with his body facing the touchline an unstoppable strike past Fraser Forster and into the top corner.

It was a rare moment of quality in a desperately poor season for the Magpies.

Yoan Gouffran vs Wolves (September 20)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IXlUOsm0sI

The Magpies have scored some excellent goals in the Championship this season, with Jonjo Shelvey’s strike against QPR and Dwight Gayle’s finishing touches to an excellent team goal against Leeds deserving of mention, yet Yoan Gouffran’s volley against Wolves is as good as any.

The Frenchman has been a key part of Newcastle’s fine start to the Championship season, but it was in their League Cup clash with Wolves where he produced a stunning volley.

Matt Ritchie, who had scored just minutes before, broke away down the right and stuck up a cross towards the back stick, where the onrushing Gouffran took the defender by surprise by unleashing an unstoppable volley past the stranded Andy Lonergan.

It helped seal their place in the fourth round of the competition, and also helped Gouffran nail down a regular place in Benitez’s side.