Newcastle United – Leicester City 4-0: The Magpies inflict their first defeat on new Foxes coach Ruud Van Nistelrooy

Saturday’s success was only the Magpies’ third success in the Premier League since mid-September, but such is the congestion in the middle part of the table that they are just four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City ahead of an important run of games.

Whether Howe’s team can finally generate some momentum remains to be seen, but there were positive signs as they caused the Foxes numerous problems down the left in the first half.

Gordon was particularly lively, forcing Hermansen into a brilliant one-handed save within the first 10 minutes before setting up Murphy for the opener.

They should have been further ahead at the break, but any home fans’ fears that Newcastle’s first-half profligacy would come back to haunt them were finally allayed at the start of the second period thanks to close-range finishes from Guimaraes Isak.

Tonali and Barnes could have intervened, but Murphy’s second goal of the game was the final highlight of a near-perfect afternoon for the hosts, who finished the game with 27 tries and 11 goals.

After traveling to Ipswich next weekend, the Magpies face European hopefuls Aston Villa, Manchester United and Tottenham in their next three league games.

First up, however, is the home quarter-final of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday against Brentford, who beat Newcastle in the Premier League just last weekend.