Our front three were all on target as our Premier League winning streak was extended to three matches for the first time since December 2006.

Michael Owen scored in his fourth successive Premier League game while Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka got the others in a surprisingly comfortable victory at St. James'.

Owen's first career goal against the Royals made it foiur in a rwo in the league - the first achieved by a Newcastle player since Alan Shearer in Nov/Dec 2003.

Relegation fears seemed a dim and distant memory as Martins opened the scoring after 18 minutes and Owen doubled the lead just before the break.

Viduka's cool finish in the 58th minute repaid the faith that Keegan has put in his front three since the current run of form started in the second half against Birmingham.

And for a manager still ridiculed for his tactical inadequacies, playing Owen in a slightly deeper role has worked an absolute treat and put us firmly in mid-table with a top half finish still not out of the question.

Full report to follow.

Team: Harper, Beye, Faye (Diatta 82), Edgar, Jose Enrique, Geremi, Butt (Smith 79), Barton, Martins, Owen, Viduka (Duff 74).
Subs n/u: Forster, Carroll.

Goals: Martins 18, Owen 43, Viduka 58.

Reading: Hahnemann, Rosenior, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Shorey, Oster (Convey 60), Harper, Cisse (Fae 72), Hunt,Kitson (Long 72), Doyle.
Subs n/u: Federici, Duberry.

Booked: Bikey.

Crowd: 52,179

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).