London  - Newcastle United climbed out of the relegation zone on Sunday, as goals from Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Danny Guthrie gave them a 3-0 win over Portsmouth.

The victory, Newcastle's first away from home since March, brings to an end a run of four successive draws and means they have now won three of 11 league games since Joe Kinnear replaced Kevin Keegan as manager.

It was Portsmouth's first defeat in six games, but they remain eighth.

Portsmouth will probably feel they had the better of the first half, and they had a good shout for a penalty turned down when Jermain Defoe was blocked by Fabricio Coloccini.

But it was Newcastle who went closest to scoring as Martins had struck the post with a late-swerving shot from 25 metres.

And although Portsmouth continued to boss possession after the break, it was Newcastle who took the lead after 51 minutes.

Arnold Mvuemba lost possession playing a needless cross-field ball, Jonas Gutierrez slid through a delightful angled ball and Owen made up for a poor first touch by scooping the ball over David James for his seventh of the season.

Martins made the game safe 25 minutes later, converting Jose Enrique's cross as James committed himself far too early.

James was at fault again for Newcastle's third, allowing Guthrie's drive to slip through his hands with two minutes remaining. (dpa)