Manly have once more flexed their NRL premiership muscle in a 42-20 thumping of Newcastle at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.

The eight tries to 4 victory was the Sea Eagles fourth win in the row, although the reduction has put a massive dent in the Knights’ hopes of generating the NRL leading eight.

On the back of a exceptional initial half in assault, Manly led 38-four at the break and had the game all but won.

A raft of Sea Eagles injuries, and a spirited Knights fightback mixed for a 2nd half in which the Knights outscored Manly 16-4, but the ascendancy Manly gained in the initial half proved to be as well great.

From the second Knights halfback Tyrone Roberts place the ball out on the full from the kick-off, Manly dominated the contest.

The home side scored two tries in the 1st 6 minutes to Jamie Lyon and Glenn Stewart to race out to a twelve- lead.

Kevin Naiqama hit back for the Knights in the 13th moment, but from there the very first half was all Manly as they opened up a 34 point lead at halftime in a very entertaining display of rugby league which incorporated two tries in ten minutes to Tony Williams and two tries in 4 minutes to Brett Stewart.

Williams threw off Jarrod Mullen for his 17th minute try out, then Kieran Foran scored immediately after Jamie Buhrer broke by way of the Knights defence in the 22nd moment.

Canterbury-bound Williams then pounced on a Foran grubber for his second consider in the 27th moment.

Stewart then scored from a brilliant 50m scything run in the 32nd for his practically obligatory Brookvale Oval 4-pointer, just before the fullback crossed yet again four minutes before halftime – beating the Knights defence shut to the line.

The 38-four scoreline at the break summed up the home side’s total domination.

But injuries severely slowed their momentum in the second stanza. Jason King (shoulder), Matt Ballin (calf) Jamie Buhrer (concussion) and David Williams (leg) left Manly coach Geoff Toovey without an interchange bench to turn to for the final 36 minutes as the NRL defending champions eased to their 14th win of the yr.

Naiqama (51st and 63rd minute) and Jarrod Mullen (54th moment) crossed for the guests as they attempted to make a game of things.

But the deficit proved as well fantastic and a 77th minute attempt to Jorge Tafua gave Manly the 22-stage win.

Of more concern for Manly, Tony Williams was put on report for a possible 66th minute trip, and for the Knights Kade Snowden is also on report for a lifting tackle shortly after.