The Cherry and Whites scored two tries through Iain Balshaw and Olivier Azam while the Falcons could muster just one, by Geoff Parling, as they claimed a losing bonus point.

"Newcastle is a difficult place to come and win but I thought our focus was good and stayed good throughout the game and we did very well," said Gloucester head coach Ryan.

"There is a danger with Newcastle that you get sucked in and enter into the way they want to play which is like sevens with 30 players on the field, but I thought defensively we were very competent and we built the win off the back of a superb scrum where we did a bit of damage and really didn't get rewarded for that.

"We've developed a really good mode of game to win tight games in Europe and in the Premiership like this and we look a complete side."

Newcastle lost hooker Matt Thompson before the game with illness and several of their players were affected by a vomiting bug.

"Things didn't go our way today and you have to be at the top of your game against this Gloucester side and unfortunately we had some illness in the camp," said director of rugby John Fletcher.

Sale director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre hailed Luke McAlister after the Kiwi centre helped inspire a fraught 20-14 victory against Leicester to leapfrog the Tigers in the table.

Victory moved Sale up to fourth, and Saint-Andre enthused: "We know Luke has so much quality.

"He's quick, skilful and his defence was very strong.

"Luke is starting to fit into the team very well and with him and (Charlie) Hodgson we have two fantastic playmakers who can be very dangerous."

The only tries came late in the first half - from wings Rory Lamont, for Sharks, and Johne Murphy for the visitors.

Director of rugby Mike Ruddock believed a lack of discipline cost his Worcester Warriors side as they went down to a late defeat against London Irish.

Worcester looked to be heading for their second draw of the campaign against London Irish before the hosts snatched a 23-16 victory with a late converted try at the Madejski Stadium.

A desperately disappointed Ruddock said: "I thought we deserved the draw but at times discipline cost us some silly penalties and the try at the end was heart breaking after such a big effort."

All Blacks centre Sam Tuitupou marked his Premiership debut with a top-quality try for Warriors, but Richard Skuse touched down for Irish and Sailosi Tagicakibau claimed the late decider.