Newcastle 4-1 Man United

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After coasting to victory against Leicester, Newcastle roared up through the gears to smash Man United on Sunday afternoon at a raucous St James' Park.

In truth though, we didn't even have to work that hard to dismantle the worst Man U side in decades.

With Eddie Howe stricken with pneumonia, a noticeably professional Jason Tindall led the side out, with Graeme Jones as his own Mad Dog, having prepared the team with minimal input from Eddie Howe.

It's a testament to the team built here - both on and off the pitch - that Eddie wasn't missed.

After Tonali had opened the scoring with a volley that wouldn't look out of place in the art museums of Milan, set up by a sumptuous Isak flick, we conceded an equaliser following some loose work by Tino on our left flank.

A tactical tweak at half time both sorted out the pressing, and unlocked Tino going forward, and four minutes into the second half he danced down the left and hammered a ball left-footed across the box.

It evaded everybody but Jacob Murphy was beyond the back post and had the presence of mind to direct it back into the path of in-form Harvey Barnes who couldn't miss.

And there the match ended as a contest, with a glorious display of bullying as we utterly dominated our long-time tormentors both on and off the ball.

Just after the hour Barnes was on the scoresheet again, harrying and causing a slip from Ugarte, before picking up the ball and turning on the afterburners in a manner reminiscent of Hatem Ben Arfa against Bolton as he powered through the centre backs and hammered home.

And there was still time for some comedy, as Calamity Onana's replacement Altay Bayindir scuffed the ball forward to Joelinton, who headed into Bruno's path, the captain gleefully slotting home before emphatically kissing the badge.

If any player has earned the right to kiss the badge, it's Bruno, regardless of how long he stays.

Surely nobody can doubt his genuine affection for this club.

And so onto Palace on Wednesday night, where we will again be led by Tindall and Jones, then the same at Villa on Saturday.

Two huge games in the battle for the Champions League places, but we've put ourselves in the driving seat with a series of relentless performances.

A draw against Palace puts us 3rd - a win five points clear of 6th.

Last big push lads.