Cadan Murley scored twice as Harlequins beat Newcastle Falcons 24-10 to go second in the Premiership.

On an emotional evening which saw Mike Brown return to The Stoop, attention soon turned to the home side who took the lead in style in the fourth minute.

Murley initiated an attack which lead to Tommy Allan breaking through the midfield before selflessly releasing Huw Jones to touch down. Allan added the extras.

Newcastle enjoyed plenty of possession and responded with a Will Haydon-Wood penalty but Harlequins' reply was emphatic with two tries in just four minutes.

Murley scored his first of the night after taking Danny Care's pass and crashing into the corner.

It was Louis Lynagh's turn moments later, timing his run to perfection before collecting Tyrone Green's pass and diving into the corner for his ninth league try of the season.

Andre Esterhuizen launched himself into a couple of trademark big hits, the second on Tom Marshall who dusted himself down to score a minute before half-time.

Haydon-Wood converted to make the score 19-10 at half-time.

Harlequins began the second half on the back foot as the visitors enjoyed a period of possession.

When Luke Northmore and Danny Care were both yellow carded it looked like Newcastle's pressure might result in points.

But a resilient defensive display led by Archie White and Tom Lawday ensured the numerical disadvantage came to nothing.

Joe Marler's second scrum penalty in quick succession swung momentum back in the hosts' favour and Murley soon scored the fourth try.

White went to the short side off a line-out to Care who fed Murley for his eighth Premiership try of the season.

Newcastle powered forward in search of a consolation but Harlequins held firm to secure a third straight win.