The team manager Steve Bruce disclosed before the kick-off match that it had been a “distraction” but it did not prevent his side from securing an impressive victory, helped by the second-half dismissal for two yellow cards which result to a red card of visiting defender John Egan.
Allan Saint-Maximin scored the opener shortly after John Egan was sent off from the pitch and Matt Ritchie doubled Newcastle lead with a well-hit strike 14 minutes later.
The third goal came from Brazilian striker Joelinton, who earlier had missed a cast-iron first-half chance to put his side ahead in the match.
It was his first goal in the league since August 25, 2019, against Tottenham and his fourth of the season following his £40 million ($44 million) move from Hoffenheim last summer transfer window.
Despite a draw and a loss since the restart of the campaign, the club are just two points behind fifth-place Manchester United, which drew 1-1 with Tottenham on Friday.
Sunday afternoon, Chelsea secured its grip on fourth place with a 2-1 win at relegation-threatened Aston Villa.
Kortney Hause put Villa ahead with one goal against the run of play just before halftime, but after the break, it continued to be one-way traffic as Chelsea dominated possession without carving out a line of luck.
The Manager of Chelsea Frank Lampard brought in US international Christian Pulisic in a bid to stir his attack and it paid almost immediately as he connected with Cesar Azpilicueta cross to half-volley an equalizer in the 60th minute.
The winning goal came just two minutes later as Olivier Giroud was given time to turn in the penalty box and his deflected shot beat Orjan Nyland in the Villa goal.
Liverpool took a stuttering step towards its first English league title in 30 years as the champion-elect was held to a goalless draw by Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Sunday.
It was not the good result that Jurgen Klopp’s men wanted on their return to football action after a three-month holiday, but with a 23-point lead over Manchester City, celebrations will not be long delayed.
