A narrow win at Rotherham United took the Magpies back up to second in the table, before the campaign came to a temporary halt for another international break.
That failed to disrupt Rafa Benitez’s side, though, as they soon found an extra gear.
Saturday, 1st October
Rotherham United 0 Newcastle United 1
A Deadline Day loan signing from Chelsea, winger Christian Atsu had only made a handful of appearances for United prior to their visit to the New York Stadium, but the Ghanaian announced himself to the Toon Army by netting a superb winner.
After a fairly even first half, Atsu cut inside from the right and powered an unstoppable effort beyond the Millers’ Lee Camp.
Struggling Rotherham gave the Magpies a scare or two late on, but Benitez’s charges held firm.
Saturday, 15th October
Newcastle United 3 Brentford 1
After a two-week hiatus, United returned to Championship action against a Brentford side who had enjoyed a promising start to the season.
The Bees were little match for Newcastle on the day, though. Ciaran Clark and Dwight Gayle gave the Magpies a healthy lead heading into the break, and the latter notched his second within five minutes of the restart.
Scott Hogan’s effort for Brentford proved to be little more than a consolation.
Tuesday, 18th October
Barnsley 0 Newcastle United 2
Paul Heckingbottom’s Barnsley had tailed off after a bright start to the campaign, with United heading in the opposite direction.
It was Gayle who proved to be the difference at Oakwell, the frontman bagging a second-half brace to send the Magpies to the summit of the Championship for the first time.
Saturday, 22nd October
Newcastle United 3 Ipswich Town 0
The Magpies consolidated their place at the top with a comfortable win against Ipswich at St. James’ Park.
Ayoze Perez opened the scoring less than a minute in, rounding off a wonderful team move with a precise finish.
The Spaniard doubled United’s lead after the break before turning provider for Matt Ritchie, who added a touch of gloss to the scoreline late on.
Tuesday, 25th October
Newcastle United 6 Preston North End 0
With a crowd of almost 50,000 watching on, Newcastle produced a scintillating attacking display to progress to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.
Aleksandar Mitrovic marked his first start for more than a month with a brace, while Mohamed Diame netted his first two goals for the club.
A Ritchie penalty and a last-gasp Perez strike compounded to Preston’s misery, Simon Grayson’s side having been reduced to ten men following Alan Browne’s dismissal 25 minutes in.
Saturday, 29th October
Preston North End 1 Newcastle United 2
Boss Benitez had warned that Newcastle’s trip to Deepdale would be “totally different” to their midweek mauling of the Lilywhites, but – although the scoreline was far closer – the outcome was the same.
Mitrovic again had a key part to play, finding the net twice after the break in front of the travelling support.
Jermaine Beckford’s effort – later classified as a Jamaal Lascelles own-goal – set up a nervy finale, but the Magpies hung on to round off a hugely impressive month.
