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

TimmyH added 17:46 - Oct 22 Another saturday and another fairly predictible result with the best bet be on Town not scoring and conceding at least one, I never thought we could win this one but a few pro McCarthy supporters on here have been going on about the solid defense and today was the acid test...and yes we've come up some way short. Even the might of Brentford the other week didn't concede more. Waitng for thee old excuses of Premiership players/Money/top manager etc etc to be heard now. Wondering where we go now under Mick because he's certainly not taking us forwards and currently the team isn't playing can't see the team bothering the play-offs. In my view it's a season too far for McCarthy.

32

martin587 added 17:48 - Oct 22 Now driving home from the match.Completly outplayed for most of the game,although we could have nicked a goal midway through the first half,but Newcastle are in a different league to us and it showed. I just don't know what the answer is,defence fell asleep at the start and from there it was an uphill battle.midfield huffed and puffed without any idea how to put a forward pass together.Strikers were non exsistant due to poor service and left chasing shadows. The whole club needs a massive shake up and for me MM has run his course.I just cannot see how we can improve at all.Just my opinion,but that's how I see it.

33

truthhurts added 17:57 - Oct 22 Super Mick McCarthy - taking us to the Premiership!! (So his supporters say)
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surgery added 17:59 - Oct 22 Suppose it won't be long before he's on here telling us that there wasn't much between the two teams. The fact that Dougie controlled the midfield majestically spraying balls around akin Glenn Hoddle was wasted by our striker not converting these and our keeper conceding three goals overshadowed all of the special ones good work
2

Surco72 added 18:01 - Oct 22 Well the joint best defence in the league rubbish has gone swiftly , now we are just a team in 17th position who have only scored in one of the last 7 or is it 8 games ? MM can hide again because it was Newcastle and they are a different class of opposition but unless MM admits honestly that a number of his assembled squad are not good enough to mount a consistent challenge for promotion in this league rather than keep telling us they are the best or all brilliant and undroppable we will continue to sink as a club in whole . Also as the game was over after first minute and we were not expected to get anything anyway why not give Williams some game time to get match fit ? And assume our transfer window signing Best who doesn't score regularly and gets injured a lot has done exactly what a number of us said he would not score and get injured !!!

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Mick_Mills_Tache added 18:05 - Oct 22 Can't really begrudge Mick on the result as its to be expected. Newcastle are far too good for the Championship. Would rather we went for it from the off. Still 110% sure that he has to go. The club has lost its way and there is no direction. We're just treading water and stagnating whilst every other club are strengthening. It's only going to get worse whilst McCarthy is here too as the gates are dropping week on week. Evans must be wondering why the average crowd has dropped from an average of 24-25k under Magilton to now 12-15k if we're lucky under Mick. Evans needs to come out to the fans and tell us his plan. This whole anonymous thing just isn't good for us. Install a young manager who plays good attacking football, using the youngsters and isn't afraid of giving it a go. Paul Cook (Pompey) Alexander (Scunthorpe) or Clarke (Bristol Rovers) would all be on my wish list.

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DurhamTownFan added 18:06 - Oct 22 Agree with Martin. I just don't know where we go now. 1: ME is too tight to sack MM (and if he wasn't tight then he would spend and we might actually be alright). 2: MM is too scared to go for a win and too stubborn to listen to how we feel as fans (or even, could be accused of being hostile to fans sometimes) 3: Ipswich fans seem to be a little divided about MM/ME = does anyone know what to think/do? We're just going to huff and puff our way to mid-table for another boring 6 months!

13

runaround added 18:08 - Oct 22 Any small chance we had of getting a positive result today disappeared when we conceded in first minute. At that moment I feared a 6-0 as Newcastle are head & shoulders above the rest in the division. Defeat is disappointing but was to be expected. Now however we need to push on. The excuse that all our attacking or creative players are injured can no longer be used as, Pitman apart, they are all fit. McCarthy needs to show us that he can get teams to create chances & score goals as well as just defending, we need to show much more attacking tendencies especially at home starting next Saturday. I dont want to see a Skuse-Douglas-Bru central midfield again this season. If Mick still keeps up with the boring defensive first match our opponents tactics in home games more fans will stay away & want him out. In many ways he's the best man for the job but has lost his mojo/belief in winning matches it seems & unless he finds it quickly things will deteriorate. If it does get worse though ME won't get rid unless we're in bottom 3 & it will get worse. I just hope MM realises & we see the team set up to win at home from now on

3

Tractorboy1985 added 18:21 - Oct 22 Brought my missus for her first away game 2day! She had 6 large glasses of rose before to game.. She could have competed better than the worst player to wear the shirt in DOUGLAS!! WHY do u keep playing him dinosaur???? I'm absolutely finished with this era of Evans and MC carthy and even sacking dinosaur will not make things better! Us fans need to get the man who is clearly cheating this club out of its position OUT!! Let's make a stand! EVANS OUT!!!!!!

13

surgery added 18:25 - Oct 22 At least she was anesthetised
6

NoelTheDub added 18:27 - Oct 22 Only good news that came out of todays game is Skuse is back in alongside Dougy at home to mighty Rotherham.No comment on todays game expected nothing but to leave Douglas on and take sears and Best off sums Mick up.Its time now for Williams,Bishops,with Best and Sears as a front two and get bums back on seats before its to late Mick..
6

Gazelle added 18:35 - Oct 22 Would I be right in saying that every team that loses to Newcastle should sack their manager ?
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surgery added 18:37 - Oct 22 No, but every team that performs like us week in week out should
22

grumpyoldman added 18:43 - Oct 22 At present finishing mid table would be an accomplishment
8

HackneyBlue added 18:48 - Oct 22 Mick was very happy midweek saying 3 points from Playoffs,its doubled to 6 and the few teams below us are very unpredictable,Cardiff,Wolves and when Derby get a grip they could improve.Because we are predictable we could slide further,scoring nil at best gets you a point,scoring 2 away goals like Cardiff are doing right now (below us) gets you 3pts and moves you quickly upwards.

5

warwickblue added 18:49 - Oct 22 I dared to suggest that, after the slight glimmer of positivity on Tuesday, that we don't revert to ultra-defensive negativity v. Newcsatle. We did - and it lasted all of sixty seconds. The situation is dire. I cannot see the way forward. I freely admit that MM knows the game better than I - but surely this is not what football's all about?
13

tractorkent added 19:02 - Oct 22 I said a few moths go I will not go to another game and travel 180 round trip until that boring ancient dinoisaur has gone. Over to you Mr Evans.
8

thorpedo added 19:39 - Oct 22 'Profit' of doom? - can we spend the profit on transfers?!
0

goat_man added 20:09 - Oct 22 Mick, I thought that with different class Douglas in the side all our troubles were supposed to disappear? I'm starting to think youre lying to us about his abilities :(
6

Mick_Mills_Tache added 20:24 - Oct 22 How much do people want to bet that Skuse and Douglas start on Saturday at home against Rotherham...? Remember this fixture last year? 3 defensive midfielders playing in Skuse, Douglas and Hyam.
14

wychyblue added 20:48 - Oct 22 I don't think it would be credible for MM to hide behind the budget spend. Barnsley and Preston for two surely have smaller budgets and are doing miles better than us ( not just today but since the season began) . Cardiff were struggling big time , the right manger( Warnock) comes in and even with no real change in personnel ( apart from some freebies who can't find a club) and they start winning. We may never be able to compete for the top two with the money that comes down with the relegated clubs but we should be able to COMPETE with the rest.

6

GiveusaWave added 21:24 - Oct 22 Not an unexpected result. Newcastle are a class act and we weren't expecting to pick up anything there. We lacked ideas from midfield and were toothless in attack. Home crowd very supportive of their team and created that "12th man" effect. We honestly looked like we had less players. Jas0999 has already said most of what I was intending to say. I hoped to see a goal, but sadly didn't. We are (I hope?) a mid-table team. We look weak in squad numbers and seem confused now we have no target man. Good first half from Leon Best, who I personally feel would be a good striker if he had a Target man to play off. Despite the scoreline, Bialkowski was superb for most of the game. The first goal was awful defending, the second pretty nigh impossible to save and the third was a screamer. But he produced a number of brilliant saves throughout the match.

4

warkthelint added 21:32 - Oct 22 Pitiful,sterile,dire,bland and plain awful.Time for change.McCarthy should have been sacked after the Portsmouth FA Cup debacle.Get Burley back..play the Ipswich way..learn to love the game again. Goodbye McCarthy..and take your anti-football with you..
10

surgery added 21:35 - Oct 22 And by the way, what exactly is the point of MM's drinking mate TC? Isn't he supposed to be the one who shows our strikers how to score? Maybe he can remind us how many have this season. Another useless drain on our apparent limited resources. Unemployable anywhere else along with Micks undropable boyfriends
6

surgery added 21:57 - Oct 22 I know he can't come out and say I know Skip, the Danish bloke, Dougie & Excuse are basically cr.p, but I think most people would have a lot more respect for him if he just implied that in his opinion it's the best of what he's got, rather than keep bigging them up. Why does nobody at these press conferences ask him to explain what "different class" means? We all know that it's not the case so why are you insulting our intelligence?

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