"It was a tight game until we scored the goal. We weren't particularly happy with how we started but once we scored, we showed a different level in our play.

"We scored some great goals today, really pleased for Joe, 100th appearance and you saw the scenes at the end there, brilliant moments for him especially knowing the journey he's had at the club. A great day for us.

"We were very good after we scored: we were very keen to extend the good run we are on and not fall into any lull or falling of standards. That is the most pleasing thing of the day, that we have come here and been very professional.

"We gave it our all to win a match. Some of the quality of our play, especially after we scored, was the highest level and we scored some good goals.

"We have been playing under the pressure of trying to stay in the league and we have got a lot of results playing resilient, organised football.

"Today, for the first time the shackles came off a bit. The confidence on the ball was high and hopefully this is a glimpse of the future.

"There is a very good feeling in the group. There is a good relationship between staff, players and supporters. If you have unity and quality footballers it is a good mix.

"We are enjoying our time together and the challenges as they come."

On his team changes:

"Three games in six days. Norwich had a free week so we couldn't come here lethargic, tired or mentally fatigued after the week we had – two tough home games where we had long spells without the ball.

"We needed fresh bodies, one or two players had a few niggles as well, so we didn't want to risk them.

"I was really pleased with the guys that came in. I thought they did refresh the team, and thought we looked very good physically today for certain points in the game.

"Also, I think it's healthy for the group to do that as well. It shows we do have a capable squad, and that I've got options to choose from, plus competition for places as well, which is absolutely vital.

"When you look back and think of some of the days we had early on, the Cambridge defeat, the late equaliser Watford scored, those were difficult moments and we were a long, long way from where we are now.

"It's taken an incredible effort from the players, staff and supporters to lift us into the position we are. I can't thank everyone enough what they've given me and the team."

Allan Saint-Maximin added:

"Everyone can see now a great future for Newcastle - I'm sure we'll start to be one of the best teams in the Premier League.

"For that to happen we need to work hard in every training. I know the owner and the manager will do everything to improve the team.

"Everyone can score any time. That's why we can be one of the big teams in the Premier League.

"It's really exciting. I think every player can really want to be part of this team. We have great supporters, a great city, one of the best leagues in the world.

"I think the future for Newcastle will be really good. We're the most rich club in the Premier League and I'm sure so many good things will start to happen."

"Eddie's an unbelievable coach - I've said that before - but they're pretty much owned by a country so they're always going to improve.

"You just look at the January window they've had: they spent nigh on £100m and they've improved (unlike Smith's Villa side after similar expenditure).

"I don't think it was a 3-0. We've been beaten 3-0 before and you've felt it's been a kick.

"Today, there was nothing in the game until the first goal. We probably had the better moments and didn't take them, and then we didn't defend well enough for their goals. If you make mistakes at this level you get punished.

"The league table doesn't lie, we've been punished too many times for our mistakes and, unfortunately, we keep on making similar mistakes that have cost us in the end."

33 years after Mirandinha celebrated scoring in style at Carrow Road, his compatriots Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes fired Newcastle to their most emphatic victory of the season on the same ground.

The Brazilian duo scored all three goals to almost certainly condemn City to the drop; United's fourth successive win elevating them a scarcely believable ninth position with 43 points and four games still to play - rather different to the false hope of avoiding relegation that 1989's win here brought.

Initially restored to a forward role in a revamped line-up, Joelinton bagged a brace to mark his 100th Premier League game before Bruno rounded off the win with United's third early in the second half.

A third game in seven days saw four players drop to the bench; Fabian Schar, Jonjo Shelvey, Miguel Almiron and Chris Wood replaced by Jamaal Lascelles, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy.

The visitors took time to get into their rhythm and the basement-dwelling Canaries carved out two decent shooting chances, although Kieran Dowell failed to test Martin Dubravka on either occasion.

At the other end meanwhile, City old boy Jacob Murphy shot across the face of goal, before Dan Burn's near post flick from Murphy's corner eluded everyone as it flashed across the six yard box.

The breakthrough came on 35 minutes, Joelinton dispatching a loose ball after Allan Saint-Maximin's intended pass to Longstaff was slightly over-hit. And just six minutes later "Goalinton" was at it again, sliding in to scoop Murphy's cross-cum-shot into the net and give his side a commanding lead.

Longstaff should have added a third before the break only to blast his first time effort wildly over the bar. It took United only four minutes to add to their tally after the break though, Tim Krul's misplaced pass returned over his head by Bruno, to register his fourth goal in the Premier League.

That left the game to proceed to a comfortable and agreeable conclusion in the Norfolk sunshine - the hosts making half-hearted efforts to get on the scoresheet as their disconsolate fans drifted away.

Matt Ritchie made a rare appearance from the bench, Wednesday's match winner Almiron and Dwight Gayle also given run-outs; Miggy missing the chance to add a fourth in stoppage time, reverting to type after his midweek beauty when firing into the side netting from close range.

Three points took United above Brighton and Leicester City and into the top half of the table for the first time since November 2020. That's an incredible achievement given where we stood at the turn of the year; testament not only to our buying power and transfer target selection, but giving new impetus to players already in situ - and reaping unprecedented rewards to further discredit the previous management and leadership.

Job done then - and given the calibre of opponent that awaits us over the next three weekends, not a moment too soon. Hopefully reaching a place of safety though will allow us to play without fear or eleven men behind the ball and at least present more than a one-dimensional challenge to the big lads.

The scramble for places in next season's squad should also mean that avoiding relegation won't result in an outbreak of "sunbeditis" round these parts - although the atmosphere that is anticipated to accompany the visits of Liverpool and Arsenal to SJP will hardly be conducive to slacking off. 

As we saw here today, Howe is able to field differing line-ups and formations with some success, even without being able to call on Fraser, Wilson or Trippier. And even if we revert to a more familiar set-up, our remaining games are more evenly-spaced out than the hectic week we've just experienced.

Were we to somehow end up in giving Burnley the point or points they need to survive at the expense of Everton or Leeds, then all four sides of Turf Moor will be celebrating when the full time whistle sounds on a season that has turned out to be memorable for all the right reasons.

Biffa