However, they proceeded to pick up just one point from a possible six, and – trailing 3-1 to Norwich City at St. James’ Park with just 20 minutes left – the Magpies were in danger of falling off the pace at the top of the table.
But, Rafa Benitez’s side staged an incredible late fightback to defeat the Canaries, and from there, there was no turning back…
Saturday, 10th September
Derby County 0 Newcastle United 2
18 months since he last found the net, Frenchman Yoan Gouffran’s magnificent rasping volley set the Magpies on their way to a comfortable win at Pride Park.
DeAndre Yedlin – who arrived on Tyneside just prior to the close of the transfer window – bundled home a second late on, his first goal for the Magpies.
Tuesday, 13th September
Queens Park Rangers 0 Newcastle United 6
United’s shaky start to the campaign was fast becoming a distant memory.
On a sweltering night in West London, the Magpies recorded their biggest away win for 55 years, midfielder Jonjo Shelvey leading their charge with a goal either side of the interval.
Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic were also on target, as were defensive pair Ciaran Clark and Grant Hanley.
With early pacesetters Huddersfield Town losing at Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle were now just a point shy of the Championship summit.
Saturday, 17th September
Newcastle United 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers 2
After a six-game winning run in all competitions, few would have expected Newcastle to stumble at home to Wolves, who had lost 4-0 to Barnsley just four days prior.
But, on the day, United never got going. Chancel Mbemba headed into his own net 30 minutes in, and livewire winger Helder Costa doubled the visitors’ lead just after the hour-mark.
Jon Dadi Bodvarsson almost added a third late on, but narrowly cleared the crossbar from just inside the area.
Tuesday, 20th September
Newcastle United 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0
Barely 72 hours after their Championship meeting, both sides made a string of changes as the EFL Cup resumed.
It was Newcastle who adapted better, however. Matt Ritchie side-footed home the opener after half an hour, before Gouffran put the outcome beyond doubt with another fine strike.
Saturday, 24th September
Aston Villa 1 Newcastle United 1
Villa – relegated alongside Newcastle the previous season – had not adapted particularly well to life in the Championship, and actually sat just above the relegation zone ahead of the clash.
A Tommy Elphick own-goal gave United the lead going into the break, with Dwight Gayle and Mohamed Diame both going close to a second.
Villa improved as time wore on, though, and snatched a late point courtesy of Aaron Tshibola, who headed in Jordan Ayew’s corner.
Wednesday, 28th September
Newcastle United 4 Norwich City 3
It felt like a significant result at the time, and now – with the dust starting to settle on the 2016/17 Championship campaign – United’s stunning late victory over Norwich looks all the more crucial.
Their late turnaround was the difference between starting October within striking distance of the top two, or down in the obscurity of mid-table. It was also the catalyst for a lengthy winning run which consolidated the Magpies’ place in the promotion picture.
Though Gayle had opened the scoring midway through the first half, the Canaries led 3-1 with less than a quarter of the game remaining thanks to Graham Dorrans, Cameron Jerome and Jacob Murphy.
Gayle notched his second to give Newcastle a glimmer of hope, before Gouffran restored parity five minutes into additional time.
And, with virtually the last kick of the game, Gayle pounced on a loose ball to find the far corner and send St. James’ Park wild.
