Newcastle boss Chris Hughton praised his players for ignoring the ongoing turmoil off the pitch to cement their place at the top of the Championship table.

Fans angry at owner Mike Ashley's decision to rename St James' Park voiced their fury before, during and after the 3-1 victory over Peterborough, although their protests were diluted by their happiness at a rousing display on the pitch and a comfortable win.

Hughton said: ``We have got a totally focused group of players who, from minute one, saw an opportunity for us to stay on top of the division, and very much took that opportunity."

He added: ``We have got used to getting on with the job. There are things we can't affect, but I am very lucky that I have got a group of players who are focused on one thing, and that's on staying where we are at the right end of the table with the ultimate aim of getting promotion.

``We are focused enough and it certainly hasn't taken anything away from the victory.''