A MOMENT of magic from Hatem Ben Arfa swung the game for Newcastle United and may have done untold damage to Wanderers' survival hopes.

Owen Coyle had set his side out to contain at St James' Park, and after 73 minutes the gameplan had worked perfectly.

In fact, his side had even manufactured the best chances – with Chris Eagles seeing one effort saved well by Krul and Mark Davies narrowly failing to find a killer touch from Kevin Davies' knock down.

But the game turned completely on its head 17 minutes from time when Frenchman Ben Arfa spun out of a tackle on halfway and surged past three would-be challenges before placing his shot past Adam Bogdan.

Stunned Wanderers tried to adjust but no sooner had they brought on more attacking options, the result was well and truly put to bed.

Sub Shola Ameobi outmuscled Tim Ream and got to the line, crossing for Papiss Cisse to bundle home his 19th of the season and his eighth in five games.