Georginio Wijnaldum lit up St James' Park with four goals as Newcastle United picked up their first Premier League win of the season by crushing Norwich City 6-2 tonight.
The Dutchman scored twice, either side Dieumerci Mbokani's equaliser, to give the Magpies a 2-1 lead by 26 minutes, with Ayoze Perez then adding a third.
Nathan Redmond threw Norwich a lifeline by reducing the arrears moments later, but second-half goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and another two from Wijnaldum sealed it.
Here, Sports Mole sorts the heroes from the villains on an evening where neither defence covered itself in glory.
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NEWCASTLE
Goal
Rob Elliot: There was a bright spotlight on him as he replaced Tim Krul - who is out for the season - but the 29-year-old did nothing wrong. Blameless for the goals, and there was nothing to suggest that he could be a problem in Krul's absence. (6/10)
Defence
Daryl Janmaat: Found himself getting sucked infield as the right-back neglected his area in an error in judgement which proved costly. He was also hugely fortunate not to concede a penalty, and likely get sent off. (5/10)
Chancel Mbemba: Far and away the Magpies' best defender on the day, with Mbemba doing precious little wrong in both halves. (7/10)
Fabricio Coloccini: The Argentine skipper looked much better in the second half compared to the first, in which he seemed a little off the pace. (6/10)
Paul Dummett: Nowhere to be seen for Norwich's second as the unmarked Redmond had all the time in the world to pick his spot at Newcastle's back post, but produced some good moments too in his first game under McClaren. (5/10)
Midfield
Moussa Sissoko: Bagged himself a hat-trick of assists in a brilliant overall display. Guilty of not tracking back for Norwich's first, but it was obvious that he was given a dressing down during the break. Hugely industrious in the second half. (7/10)
Jack Colback: Returned to the first XI but looked a little off the pace in both halves, with his set-piece delivery particularly woeful. (5/10)
Cheick Tiote: First Newcastle United start since New Year's Day following a knee injury, and the Ivorian did look a tad rusty in midfield, and picked up a yellow card inside 10 minutes. Subbed at half time. (5/10)
Georginio Wijnaldum: It was not a flawless display from the hat-trick hero, but it was very, very close. His movement simply went unnoticed by Norwich's back four in both halves, though little could be done about his fourth. (9/10)
Attack
Ayoze Perez: Newcastle will not often score six with Perez only scoring once, but it was the case today. He took his goal well but seemed relatively subdued overall. (6/10)
Aleksandar Mitrovic: In truth, looked like a passenger in the first half, but he sprung to life after the break and bagged himself a brilliant goal to put Newcastle 4-2 up. Still, he does not look like the number nine which Newcastle need. (6/10)
Substitutes
Vurnon Anita: Replaced Tiote at the break and looked much more assured than the Ivorian and made some crucial interventions in Newcastle's box. (7/10)
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NORWICH
Goal
John Ruddy: Despite conceding six, Ruddy cannot shoulder the blame for any of them. With Newcastle only managing six shots on target, he literally did not have a shot to save. (6/10)
Defence
Steven Whittaker: Gave Wijnaldum far too much space and failed to track the Dutchman when he drifted elsewhere. (4/10)
Sebastian Bassong: Not only did the ex-Newcastle man play Wijanldum onside for the opener, but Bassong also afforded the Dutchman a criminal amount of space and paid the penalty. (4/10)
Russell Martin: Allowed Wijnaldum get the run on him for Newcastle's second, and could have done more to block Perez's shot for the hosts' third. (4/10)
Martin Olsson: Perhaps the only one of Norwich's back four that actually looked like a professional footballer, Olsson bagged two assists courtesy of a couple of excellent first-half crosses. Did little wrong defensively, too. (7/10)
Midfield
Nathan Redmond: Far and away Norwich's best player. He threw his side a huge lifeline by making it 3-2, and constantly proved a threat in the second half, and hit the post. Unlucky to be on the losing side. (7/10)
Graham Dorrans: Nowhere near his best and the way in which he attempted to chase Sissoko in the build-up to the third goal summed up his half-hearted attitude on the day. (4/10)
Alexander Tettey: Sat in front of Norwich's back four to very little effect and was consequently dragged off just after the hour mark. (5/10)
Johnny Howson: Unlucky not to win a first-half penalty after Dummett tugged him back in what was a clear goalscoring opportunity. (5/10)
Robbie Brady: Unlucky not to score when his first-half piledriver came back off the post, but overall the Irishman was not as influential as he would have liked and struggled to utilise his gem of a left foot in both halves. (5/10)
Attack
Dieumerci Mbokani: Given his first Norwich start by Alex Neil, and the Dynamo Kiev loanee justified his selection as he prodded home City's first from close range, but often found himself isolated as the spearhead. (6/10)
Substitutes
Wes Hoolahan: Certainly had the ability - and the time, having arrived on 62 minutes - to make an impact, but the Irishman struggled for an influence. (5/10)
Cameron Jerome: Only had six minutes but should have restored an element of respectability to the score after missing a chance late on. (4/10)
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