Headers in each half from Dan Burn and Joelinton respectively secured the victory at St. James' Park, with Eddie Howe's side strengthening their position in the league phase with a positive reaction to their midweek Premier League defeat at West Ham.

Howe made two changes to the starting XI which lost at the London Stadium, with Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes coming into the side, and the Magpies had the ball in the net in the ninth minute when Joelinton controlled Malick Thiaw's raking pass, held off Dani Vivian and finished well but his celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

But two minutes later, Burn headed home from Trippier's deep free kick - the big defender generating an unbelievable amount of power and direction to leave Unai Simón rooted to the spot.

The La Liga outfit's best chances of the half - and the match - both came in the 18th minute when Unai Gómez, seemingly offside, scurried into the box and his low shot hit a post. A corner was incorrectly given and although the flag kick was half cleared by United, Adama Boiro sent an effort from distance crashing against the woodwork.

But it was otherwise all Newcastle, with Harvey Barnes hitting the side-netting after Trippier had fizzed the ball to him at the near post, then Nick Woltemade getting up highest to meet a Barnes delivery but sending it wide of the target.

Shortly before half time, a Burn pass broke for Joelinton but the Brazilian's initial effort was blocked by Unai Simón and his follow-up sailed over the bar.

But at the beginning of the second period, Joelinton headed home from a dinked Barnes ball from the left to double the home side's advantage.

Unai Simón saved from Botman after a Trippier corner was nodded back across goal by Burn, then Burn drove wide from an advanced position.

Nico Serrano forced two good saves from Nick Pope and Asier Hierro headed wide, but the visitors rarely looked like forcing a comeback.

And a return to action for Lewis Hall as a second-half substitute rounded off a good night for the Magpies, who could have added a third late on through Anthony Elanga.