After Wednesday’s late sucker punch against Queens Park Rangers, the Magpies produced an accomplished first-half display at St. James’ Park, and deservedly led at the break through the Scot’s twelfth goal of the season.

A far scrappier second period followed, however, with Rafa Benitez’s side losing their foothold in midfield.

Tom Ince and Ikechi Anya both threatened for Derby late on, but Newcastle held out to return to the summit of the Sky Bet Championship.

Beneath a clear blue sky on Tyneside, United started brightly, with Mohamed Diame – making his first start since his return from the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon – their liveliest asset early on.

The Senegalese midfielder initiated the move which led to the Magpies’ first chance of note, winning the ball back midway inside the visitors’ half. A neat passage of play culminated with Isaac Hayden taking aim from just inside the area, but Derby ‘keeper Scott Carson gathered with ease.

On the quarter-of-an-hour mark, Diame turned the Rams’ Bradley Johnson on the halfway line and strode towards the 18-yard area before forcing Carson into a low stop with a right-footed effort.

Two minutes later, former Sunderland frontman Darren Bent found himself in on goal after gathering Ritchie’s misplaced pass, but Ciaran Clark got back in time to intercept.

Ritchie atoned for his error in the perfect manner, however.

The Scot gathered Aleksandar Mitrovic’s lay-off 20 yards out, and saw a left-footed strike loop over Carson’s head and into the net after clipping the leg of Johnson.

Only a fine Carson save denied United another five minutes later, Diame stinging the ‘keeper’s palms after meeting Hayden’s square 12 yards from goal.

Just before the break, Mitrovic and Ritchie combined again on the edge of the penalty area, but this time, the winger failed to keep his effort on target.

Two minutes into the second half, Newcastle should have added to their advantage.

Paul Dummett’s cross was helped back across goal by Ritchie, but Mitrovic – left totally unmarked – wastefully skewed wide of the far post from just six yards out.

Just after the hour-mark, substitute Ayoze Perez latched onto Jonjo Shelvey’s quickly-taken free-kick, but Derby’s Johnny Russell raced back to block.

Perez then squared for Mitrovic after gathering Ritchie’s header forward, but Richard Keogh got a vital touch, allowing Carson the chance to mop up.

However, as Diame’s influence waned, so too did Newcastle’s as a whole.

With ten minutes remaining, they ought to have been pegged back. Derby substitute Abdoul Camara picked out Ince with a superb pass through the middle, but the forward sliced wide with just Karl Darlow to beat.

Nerves appeared to be setting in, and five minutes later, another Camara delivery set Anya in on goal, but a proper connection evaded the midfielder.

Then, in the dying embers, there were close shaves at both ends.

Perez almost sealed the deal for Newcastle, getting the better of the onrushing Carson following a Shelvey through ball, but not full-back Marcus Olsson, who was on hand to avert the danger.

And, right at the death, Bent met Jacob Butterfield’s corner at the back post, but DeAndre Yedlin managed to prevent the forward’s goalbound effort from crossing the line.

An important victory for the Magpies, who move six points clear of third-placed Reading.