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Demba Ba does record business for Newcastle
DEMBA BA struck twice last night to make sure Newcastle did not set an unwanted record - and earned himself a personal landmark.
Alan Pardew's side had lost their past four Premier League games - another defeat would have been their worst run in the division.
But the Senegalese striker fired them in front from a debatable 13th-minute penalty, which led to Wigan's Maynor Figueroa being sent off.
Ba made it 2-0 eight minutes later, meaning that he became the first Newcastle player to notch up 10 league goals this quickly in a campaign since Alan Shearer in 2003.
Gael Bigirimana curled in a third goal to seal the victory.
Boss Pardew said: "It was nice to get a break. I think it was a penalty and obviously it put us in a great position in the game."