Newcastle United stretched their winning run to six games in all competitions courtesy of a slender 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers at St James' Park.

The Magpies were unable to get the better of their lowly-placed opponents in an evenly-matched first half.

Moussa Sissoko finally made the breakthrough for his side 12 minutes from time, however, to ensure that QPR remain without a point on the road this season, while Newcastle are now in the Premier League's top four.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during the 90 minutes of action on Tyneside.

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NEWCASTLE UNITED

Goal

Tim Krul: Had to be alert to make a few fairly straightforward stops across the 90 minutes, with Dunne's looping header at the end of the first half the only big save that he had to make. (7/10)

Defence

Daryl Janmaat: Loves getting forward to help his side build attacks, and came close to making the breakthrough on 44 minutes with a strike which ended narrowly wide of goal. (7/10)

Mike Williamson: Was paired in the heart of defence with Dummett for the first time, and, on the whole, the duo did well to thwart the danger from the visitors. (7/10)

Paul Dummett: The Welshman was in an unfamiliar central role due to absentees in defence, but, a lapse of concentration which allowed Austin in on goal aside, he can be more than pleased with this showing. (7/10)

Massadio Haidara: Managed to work some space down his flank a few times, although ultimately the end product was lacking. (6/10)

Midfield

Ryan Taylor: Making his first league start since March 2012, Taylor was visibly upset when he had to leave the field in the first half following what looked like a recurrence of the knee injury which has kept him out for so long. Up until that point, he was the Magpies' most lively player. (6/10)

Jack Colback: Did well to knock the ball around in midfield, which allowed the home side to patiently build attacks. Came close to scoring early on when Green's hoof up the field came back off him and ended a few inches wide of goal. (6/10)

Moussa Sissoko: The best player on the field this afternoon; Sissoko regularly led Newcastle's charge up the field, and was rewarded with the winning strike 12 minutes from time. (8/10)

Attack

Remy Cabella: Formed part of a three-pronged attack for United, and he made the most of the space afforded to him in the first half in particular, getting away a few shots on goals and picking out his teammates in and around the box. Was replaced 20 minutes from time after fading. (7/10)

Sammy Ameobi: Came close to scoring on a couple of occasions, seeing one effort blocked and his second-half header fly wide of goal. Was rewarded for his persistence when bagging an assist for Sissoko's winner. (7/10)

Ayoze Perez: Some brilliant interplay with his teammates at times, although he could not get another goal under his belt when squandering a one-on-one opportunity. As it turned out, it mattered little, but he really should have converted beyond Green. (6/10)

Substitutes

Papiss Cisse: Only returned from international duty with Senegal late last night, but may well have been left on the bench regardless due to Perez's form of late. Did well when introduced, and came close to scoring late on. (7/10)

Yoan Gouffran: Having replaced Taylor in the first half, the Frenchman failed to make a major impact on proceedings. (6/10)

Adam Amstrong: The 17-year-old was introduced late on, in which time his only contribution was to pick up a yellow card. His chance to shine will come. (5/10)

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QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Goal

Rob Green: While he hardly had any world-class saves to make, Green still enjoyed a lively 90 minutes on Tyneside and stopped everything that came his way up until Sissoko's well-taken strike. (7/10)

Defence

Nedum Onuoha: Looked to get forward when he could, but his yellow card with just a quarter of the game gone certainly did not help him defensively. (6/10)

Richard Dunne: With Rio Ferdinand's three-game suspension now over, manager Harry Redknapp has a big decision to make at the heart of defence. Came close to keeping a rare clean sheet, and also within inches of scoring at the other end, but ultimately came undone late on. (7/10)

Steven Caulker: The Englishman continues to look steady, without truly setting the side alight. He can be pleased with his showing, but you always feel as though there is still more to come from the promising defender. (6/10)

Suk-Young Yun: Was constantly trying to get get in behind, and it was his quick thinking from a throw-in with a couple of minutes to go that created an opening which was wasted by Hoilett. (7/10)

Midfield

Joey Barton: On his first return to St James' Park since leaving the club a few years ago, Barton produced some fantastic blocks and even cleared Cisse's shot off the line. The skipper also picked out Austin with a couple of lofted balls. (8/10)

Sandro: A key component in this Hoops side, which explains why he is so highly rated by his manager. His injury gifted Newcastle more space in the middle of the park due to replacement Kranjcar's added attacking impetus. (7/10)

Karl Henry: Did his duties well enough when on the field, without doing anything spectacular. Replaced 10 minutes from time for some much-needed fresh legs. (6/10)

Leroy Fer: Blew arguably his side's best chance on the half-hour mark when he was unable to control Austin's through ball. He did not need to take the extra touches, which allowed Williamson to come across and thwart the danger. (6/10)

Attack

Bobby Zamora: He was certainly lively, although, on the balance of things, he came out second best against Newcastle's makeshift backline. (6/10)

Charlie Austin: Coming into this game with five goals in his last six, the Englishman was unable to add to his tally. Promising partnership with Zamora, but just did not work this afternoon. (6/10)

Substitutes

Niko Kranjcar: He will no doubt feel aggrieved that he is not starting games, although the Croatia international could not make a great deal of difference after replacing Sandro. Took the wrong decision when shooting instead of picking out Austin late on. (6/10)

Junior Hoilett: Blasted a rare Hoops opening high and wide when picked out shortly after being introduced, which was his only real contribution. (5/10)