Clinton Morrison’s 10th of the season after 35 minutes had put the Sky Blues in front, however goals from Wayne Routledge, Andy Carroll as well as a Peter Lovenkrands penalty – which also resulted in Leon Barnett being sent off – saw the home side move three points clear.

Substitute Ryan Taylor also scored in injury time to seal a win that keeps intact Newcastle’s unbeaten home record.

It was the away side who began brightly, and they went close early on when Morrison fired in a shot only for Kevin Nolan to head away the goal-bound strike.

Newcastle countered and only a superb save from Coventry keeper Kieren Westwood stopped Lovenkrands’ header flying into the net after Jonas Gutierrez’s probing run and cross from the left.

The hosts continued to press as Fabricio Coloccini went close just after 15 minutes with a glancing header from Gutierrez’s corner that skewed wide of the far post.

The Argentinian winger was the focal point of the majority of the home side’s attacking ambitions, slipping a superb pass in for Lovenkrands only for the forward to be tripped by Coventry skipper Stephen Wright just outside the area.

Danny Guthrie’s resulting free-kick was on-target but Morrison bravely deflected the shot wide with an instinctive header.

Coventry then broke the deadlock against the run of play after the half hour-mark.

Michael McIndoe surged down the left-hand side and his low cross was bundled into the far corner by Morrison.

The goal spurred Newcastle into action and they equalised two minutes later when Routledge cracked a low volley past Westwood from outside the area following Wright’s poor header.

Lovenkrands had chipped over a cross following a short corner with Guthrie, with Routledge taking full advantage after Wright’s looping header dropped to the winger 25 yards out.

Gutierrez fired in a goal-bound shot just before the break that Richard Wood did well to repel, however Newcastle were not to be denied and took the lead after 53 minutes when Carroll headed home his eighth of the season following a flowing passage of play.

The striker latched onto Nolan’s first-time cross after an earlier incisive reverse pass from Guthrie that left Carroll with a simple close-range chance.

Newcastle then put the game safe thanks to Lovenkrands’ sixth goal of the season from the penalty spot.

Routledge had seized on a loose ball and surged through only to be brought down clumsily by Barnett.

The defender received a straight red card from referee Steve Tanner and Coventry’s misery was compounded when Lovenkrands slotted home the spot kick.

Substitute Ryan Taylor then topped off the win with a close-range tap-in deep into injury time.