GEBRUS

Rafa Benitezs side - once again inspired by Jonjo Shelvey - looked in danger of paying for their profligacy as Dwight Gayle spurned a string of first-half chances.

But Perez belatedly made the breakthrough when he sparked and finished a move 10 minutes from time, converting Kenedys calm cut-back to release home tension and further ease relegation fears.

 

The slender scoreline was scant reward for a dominant display but a third successive home win in the Premier League means Newcastle climb to 12th - seven points above the drop zone - at the expense of under-par visitors who remain just three points from trouble.

 

Benitez, who was finally able to give Islam Slimani a late cameo after injury, had admitted victory against rivals who started the afternoon just a point behind them would represent a "big step" in the survival scrap and a competitive edge in the opening stages served reminder of the cause.

 

Jamaal Lascelles and Aaron Mooy drew early bookings, while a Kenedy penalty appeal was waved away, but Newcastle found their groove and should have made the breakthrough when Shelveys low drive was so nearly diverted past Jonas Lossl by Gayle on the stretch (14).

 

The hosts continued to attack with zip, Matt Ritchie thwarted moments later from a tight angle, but the games best chance came just before the half-hour mark when quick-thinking Shelvey lofted a free-kick that dropped onto Gayles boot, his controlling touch not matched by the dink he sent wide.

Huddersfield carried only fleeting threat on the counter, Laurent Depoitre linking well with Alex Pritchard, but further chances came Gayles way via DeAndre Yedlin before the break, one effort well over and another improvised flick rolling the wrong side of the post.

 

David Wagners side mustered their first real attempt on goal with 59 minutes gone as Depoitre drilled off-target and a goalmouth scramble on 65 was emblematic of a far scrappier second period, Collin Quaner finally muscled out after Mathias Jorgensen was afforded a free header.

Substitute Christian Atsu blazed a shot wide as the home side struggled for renewed inspiration, but it was from his cross that a home moment to savour came, Lossls hand in vain as Kenedy looked up and Perez made it count.

Quaner, left carelessly free as a ball was flashed across goal, and then Scott Malone had late chances to provide a final twist but a Town leveller would have been unjust, Benitezs side deservedly able to breathe easier as the games tick down.