Ayoze Perez scored twice and Matt Ritchie once as Newcastle United comfortably beat Town 3-0 at St James’ Park. Perez put the home side in front in the opening minute and added the second on 73, before Ritchie netted the third five minutes later. The Blues went closest to scoring when former Magpie Leon Best hit the bar in the first half.

Town made three changes to the team which beat Burton 2-0 on Tuesday with Jonathan Douglas, Conor Grant and Grant Ward coming into the side for Cole Skuse, who missed out with the toe injury which forced him off against the Brewers, and Kevin Bru and Teddy Bishop, who dropped to the bench.

Ward joined Douglas and Grant in central midfield with Tom Lawrence on the right and Sears on the left and Best the main striker.

David McGoldrick, back after the ankle injury he suffered in August, and Jonny Williams were both included among the substitutes.

Championship leaders Newcastle made three changes from the team which won 2-0 at Barnsley on Tuesday with DeAndre Yedlin, Ayoze Perez and former Town loanee Jack Colback coming into the side for Vurnon Anita, Mohamed Diame and Isaac Hayden.

The game got off to the worst possible start for the Blues with the home side going in front inside the opening minute.

Paul Dummett was found on the left by a raking Jonjo Shelvey pass and the Wales international whipped over a cross which Yoan Gouffran flicked on to Perez, who was breaking in unmarked at the far post from where he volleyed a low shot past Bartosz Bialkowski, who was yet to touch the ball.

Newcastle passed the ball around confidently in the minutes immediately after the goal with the Blues rarely touching the ball but the Magpies didn’t create another opportunity until the eighth minute when Yedlin cut the ball back from the left but Dwight Gayle shot over.

The Blues, who had switched Ward to wide right and Lawrence to the left with Sears moving behind Best, almost got back on terms with their first shot of the game in the ninth minute.

Following a corner the ball fell to Best, who hit a shot on the turn from inside the box which crashed against the crossbar with home keeper Karl Darlow well beaten.

But Newcastle were still on top and on 13 Matt Ritchie curled an effort not too far wide, the ball catching a Town defender on its way wide. From the corner, Gouffran shot well over.

After both sets of fans had joined in chants of ‘There’s only one Bobby Robson’, Ritchie went close again in the 19th minute. After the former Bournemouth winger’s initial pass had been blocked by Christophe Berra, the ball rebounded back to him and his low shot deflected wide.

The impressive hosts were starting to create opportunities with concerning regularity and a minute later Gayle saw his low cross from the right bundled behind from the right.

On 26 Adam Webster intercepted a Newcastle pass on the edge of the Blues box following a throw on their right and brought the ball well into the Magpies half riding a cynical Shelvey challenge on his way.

The former Portsmouth man looked for options either side of him but eventually opted to curl a 20-yard shot, which flew not too far wide of Darlow’s right post.

Shelvey was lucky to avoid a booking for his attempted challenge but a minute later referee James Adcock showed Colback the first yellow card of the game for a foul on Sears.

Newcastle claimed a penalty in the 35th minute when Gayle was played in one-on-one with Bialkowski and crashed to the ground as the Polish keeper dived at his feet. The former Crystal Palace man was convinced the referee should have pointed to the spot, while Bialkowski was similarly adamant he had got the ball.

As the half moved into its final five scheduled minutes Knudsen was booked for a foul on Yedlin as the US international broke quickly down the right. A minute later, Ritchie shot well wide from distance.

Skipper Luke Chambers headed over from a Lawrence near-post corner on 44, then moments before the whistle Best required treatment for what appeared to be a dislocated finger.

The Blues will probably have been pleased to have gone in only a single goal down at the break, the home side having dominated the half.

Conceding in the opening minute was the worst possible start for Town with manager Mick McCarthy having noted Newcastle’s tendency to start games brightly in his pre-match press conference.

The Magpies, who passed the ball around slickly and at pace when in the final third, had created plenty of opportunities and will they will feel they should have hit the target more regularly.

But they were well in control with Town struggling to get hold of the ball and only really threatened when Best hit the bar and Webster made his run forward.

McCarthy made two half-time changes with McGoldrick replacing Best, probably due to injury, and Josh Emmanuel taking over from Knudsen, the Dane perhaps also having taken a knock.

The Blues began the half seeing much more of the ball than they had during long spells of the first period and on 57 Chambers fed Ward, who sent over a cross towards McGoldrick but too close to Darlow, who claimed.

Newcastle had their first chance of the second half in the 64th minute when Ritchie volleyed wide from Dummett’s left-wing cross.

A minute later, Gouffran hit a shot from the edge of the box which Bialkowski batted away.

While the early stages of the second half were more even than the first had been, the hosts began to find their feet and were looking the more likely scorers.

And in the 74th minute they doubled their lead. After a long spell of passing, Ritchie crossed low from the right and an untracked Perez slammed a low shot past Bialkowski to claim his second goal of the game. A minute later, Christian Atsu took over from Gouffran.

As the clock moved past the 76-minute mark both sets of fans started chanting ‘There’s only one Bobby Robson’ and applauding the clubs’ legendary manager.

Soon after, Chambers crossed from the Town right to Douglas, who headed down and into the arms of Darlow.

On 78 any lingering doubts there might have been regarding the result were put to bed when Perez teed-up Ritchie on the edge of the box and the Scotland international powerfully smashed home to make it 3-0.

Newcastle switched Gayle for Mitrovic and then Shelvey for Isaac Hayden before, with seven minutes remaining, the Blues introduced Williams for Sears.

McGoldrick shot over from distance on 86, then a minute later Dummett was booked for a foul on Ward.

There were no further scares for the Blues and referee Adcock’s whistle confirmed what was a routine win for the home side.

Having gone behind in the opening minute, it was always going to be tough for the Blues, who battled gamely in their usual manner, but only seriously looked like getting back on terms when Best hit the bar and Webster made his run forward.

However, plenty of teams will visit St James’ Park with a similar result with the Magpies already looking champions in waiting.

Town drop to 17th in the table ahead of next week’s home game against Rotherham, who are now six points from safety at the bottom of the division.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Webster, Berra, Knudsen (Emmanuel 46), Douglas, Grant, Ward, Lawrence, Sears (Williams 83), Best (McGoldrick 46). Unused: Gerken, Bishop, Digby, Bru.

Newcastle: Darlow, Clark, Dummett, Colback, Lascelles (c), Gayle (Mitrovic 79), Ritchie, Shelvey (Hayden 83), Perez, Gouffran (Atsu 75), Yedlin. Unused: Anita, Diame, Mbemba, Sels. Referee: James Adcock (Nottinghamshire). Att: 51,963 (Town: 2,700-ish).

Photo: Action Images

nix290 added 17:07 - Oct 22 Oh god. Here we go with a wave of negative bile and hatred.
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hello66 added 17:07 - Oct 22 Mick out ..... Fans are voting with their feet , under 10k per game next season if SDM ( stubborn Dinosar Mick) is still here! 😡
21

prebsa added 17:09 - Oct 22 As I said against Burton, winning 2-0 was not a reflection of the game and if they had someone who could finish they would of come away with the points. Today proved exactly the case! People who can finish will easily brush us aside! Putting Douglas back in the team is totally wrong but I don't expect anything else from Mick. I always forget dougie is just different class. Top pro is dougie! Bishop no way deserved to be dropped but because world beater Douglas is back he has to be put straight in the team! Sears scored so the only correct thing to do would be to put him back on the wing ofcourse! Mick proving again what a tactical master he can be at times! Knudsen getting beaten far to easily down his side like always getting booked because he can't tackle properly and balls lumped at no one like always. No surprise he was taken off at half one or it may have been an injury but should of been for him being his normal self! A loss as expected made worse by certain players in the team when we have better on the bench and the usual tactics from Mick!

44

TractorBoy666 added 17:10 - Oct 22 This game was described as a 'free hit' shows that we've gone nowhere. Shouldn't we be challenging the teams at the top at this time of McCarthys tenure? No ambition shows with our current position in the league table. I wasn't expecting anything from today's match but it hardly looked like we went for it until we went 3-0 down. This inconsistent form is only going to end up in a relegation battle, get the clueless clown out now.

27

iaintaylorx added 17:13 - Oct 22 Were going to lose this anyway, but to set up playing for a point isn't the way we should be going around our stuff. At least get a manager who gets the fans up on their feet at some nice football, please? Just wondering, who would town fans want in his replacement?
13

MicksZzzTactics added 17:16 - Oct 22 My oh My! Now that was some "proper defeat" I reckon .... by a bunch of exclusively "proper blokes" .... all (MIS)managed by the same utmost "proper dinosaur" in the game! Rotherham will be a totally different advisery of course.... but I'm ready to bet the farm that The Wimpy Dinosaur will STILL set up "not to lose" -- against even the division's hapless Prügelknabe -- and with only one very lone striker on top! Mick for President!!! (Reckon he should be able to do a slightly better "defensive-minded" job .... and that on the lowest budgets! (plenty of expertise at that from ITFC) than either 'Groping Donald' or 'Lying Hilary':-) :-) :-) :-)

5

Taricco_Fan added 17:16 - Oct 22 Result to be expected. I want McCarthy out but this isn't a game to judge him on. Newcastle are a different level to us.
9

jas0999 added 17:16 - Oct 22 Expected result against an excellent Newcastle. Just as the result against Burton shouldn't have been seen in isolation, neither should this. Losing to Newcastle doesn't make us terrible, but equally beating the likes of Burton and no doubt Rotherham at home doesn't make us excellent. We are what we are. An average mid table side. Play offs are light years away, because we would have to go on a consistent run of good results, which the quality of this squad is unlikely to achieve. We will win a few, draw considerably more and lose a few. It's all very average. We didn't invest significantly enough to regularly challenge the top nine or ten clubs. We won't score enough. We are unlikely to create enough with a rather uninspiring midfield. This result isn't the problem, it's the fact 2016 on the whole has been very poor. Mick will deliver some good results. We won't go down, but 30% into the season we sit 17th, closer to relegation than play offs. We have money to spend in January. I have my doubts whether we will. The club for me is still going nowhere, but at least we should win next week. Disappointing season to date, but not because of this result, just the fact it's been dull. I can't see crowds improving any time soon. I just look forward to the occasional good results/performances.

35

Swn98 added 17:17 - Oct 22 Hello66 meant to mark you down what did you expect listen to Alex matey !!!!!!!
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sgtlargent added 17:18 - Oct 22 Could someone confirm Chambers' pass completion today? And Douglas, wow, different class, you've got that right Mick. Absolute dog sh***. Can't wait to get home gone midnight.
23

Norwichbeater added 17:19 - Oct 22 Well nix290 I would love to know where you think we are going and also can you clarify if you are a season ticket holder or not. Obvious result today given that Newcastle are top however...... How will we ever get out of this league with an owner who has absolutely no ambition and will not be willing to compete in the transfer market to get anywhere near a promotion team in place. Then we have MM who has completely given up on promotion. This game was lost as soon as he saw he fixture list. Pathetic really. I will still be there Saturday to watch us set up with defensive midfield against the mighty Rotherham. Well done MM and TC and Evans, give yourselves a great big pat on the back for your wonderful efforts. 🙁

21

carlo88 added 17:20 - Oct 22 Irrelevant result. Newcastle are in a different league to us, and soon will be officially.
2

couldbebetter added 17:23 - Oct 22 Interesting to listen to Eddie Howe today after his team drew with Spurs but could easily have have won.He said the important thing is for his side to improve (last year Spurs won 5-1) and to go toe to toe with the best in the league.In other words they attacked .Are we are better side than a year ago ? And when was the last time we went into a game to attack ?
24

BlueNomad added 17:23 - Oct 22 So those of you who would have left out Douglas and put Bishop in would actually have started at Newcastle without anyone in front of the back four and expected to win then? Blindingly brilliant!
1

warktheline added 17:25 - Oct 22 Expected nowt, got nowt! Mandatory 3 home points, no worries!
0

PSGBlue added 17:26 - Oct 22 No surprises today, we were always going to lose against Newcastle. Last three games sums this club up, draw, victory and a predictable loss at a top two team. Disappointingly no goals in the "for" column yet again. This will not change until Douglas is out of the team. Two holding midfielders are not good for scoring goals! So much for the obvious! What is getting on my goat are those defending MM by saying he is not getting any funds for players. Surely he gets more funds than Preston and Barnsley, they have scored 43 goals between them. I suspect the respective managers get more out of what they have than MM. MM's arrogance when interviewed also annoys me. Stop treating us fans as clueless, we are not. We can see what is working and what is not. Us fans are also not responsible for only scoring two in seven games. Don't get me started on ME. Clearly not interested in Ipswich Town, please can you just sell up to someone who is!

26

tractorboybig added 17:29 - Oct 22 carlo88 all our results seem to be pretty irrelevant most teams we have played are a class above us.
10

unknown100 added 17:30 - Oct 22 Mick out, new person in, this isn't a reflection on today's result as let's be honest we were never going to get a result against Newcastle, there's a talented squad there but the wrong Man at the helm... He must be the only man in the world who could call Douglas different class and play chambers at right back, anyone who can make 2 massively wrong decisions like that shouldn't manage a football club 6 points from play offs- a long season to go and a January transfer window with a bit of money to spend- new manager in now before it's too late

27

surgery added 17:35 - Oct 22 Gotta take your hats off to those Geordies. Managed to score three against the best defender in the league and some other proper blokes who are apparently different class. Still, their squad obviously cost a lot more than ours. Hang on, how did PNE manage the win today?
26

grumpyoldman added 17:37 - Oct 22 I did not get carried away when we beat Burton, I will not get carried away by this defeat. Nothing has changed. Until MM leaves I do not expect anything to change, that way I am never disappointed
21

blue86 added 17:38 - Oct 22 Ahhh I knew I shouldn't have put that money on a Douglas hat trick!! Lol .. seriously though, Newcastle are class and a point would have been the best we could have hoped for, but the loss was no great suprise. With mcgoldrick and Williams coming back hopefully they can add the creativity we need? But they also need to stay injury free which is unlikely.
2

superblue70 added 17:41 - Oct 22 Well Mick set us up for a 0-0 sixty seconds later he hasn't a clue what to do, game over, MM OUT
25

tr0705 added 17:42 - Oct 22 Douglas is the focus of many comments but it's much worse and deeper than that. The club have no ambition, the manager has no ambition and there is just one way things are going to go. The Newcastle result was inevitable. I wanted us to lose against Burton to show the depth of the problem.
17

JimmyP45 added 17:43 - Oct 22 Eeeeeeee's greeeatttt iisssssss Dougie. Always going to lose today and were never looking for a performance whatsoever.
11

superblue70 added 17:46 - Oct 22 Oh and people saying we have mcgoldrick and Williams to come back, yes but will be at the expense of Lawrence and ward, not the cart horse twins and we all know it MM OUT
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