Striker Dwight Gayle says his second Newcastle United hat-trick this season was made more significant by the team's return to the top of the Championship.
Gayle, 26, followed up September's Norwich treble with another against Birmingham as the Magpies climbed above Brighton, who went top by beating Leeds on Friday night.
It took his personal tally to 16 and also ended a three-game winless run.
"It's important to get back to winning ways," Gayle told BBC Newcastle.
"I set myself a target of 20 at the start of the season.
"Scoring is the best thing for me to help the team pick up three points and to go back up to the top of the table is great for us.