Eddie Howe's men can still finish in the top eight in the league phase of this season's competition after easing past runaway Eredivisie leaders PSV at St. James' Park and will travel to Paris Saint-Germain next week knowing that a positive result in France could yet see them qualify automatically for the knock-out stage.
That first Champions League campaign in a generation two seasons ago will always be remembered for the famous 4-1 win over PSG, but ultimately United failed to progress from a difficult group. The format has changed, but Newcastle look at home in this company now. This was a fourth win from their seven outings so far, and like the previous victories over Union Saint-Gilloise, Benfica and Athletic Club, it was achieved with a minimum of fuss.
"We've had so many big games between (the previous Champions League campaign) and now," said Howe after the final whistle. "That hardens you to that experience and it becomes more, not routine, but normal. Through those experiences, you can navigate your way through difficult periods in a game slightly better than we did when we were still relatively new."
Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes were on target in what was the fifth meeting between Newcastle and PSV - United met the Dutch side in the group stages of the Champions League in 1997/98 and the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup in 2003/04 - and the 3-0 scoreline didn't flatter the Magpies one bit.
Wissa replaced Nick Woltemade in the only change to the side which drew at Wolves at the weekend, and on what was his full Champions League debut, he gave his side the lead by finishing coolly at the Leazes End from a Joelinton pass after eight minutes.
There was a VAR check, with German referee Daniel Siebert going over to the pitchside monitor, but the goal stood. It was Wissa's third for United and his first in the Champions League.
Gordon had already sent an early effort over the bar as the Magpies made a high-intensity start against the reining Dutch champions, who are currently 16 points clear at the top of their domestic table as they look to retain their crown.
After something of a lull following United's opener, Gordon made it 2-0 on the half-hour mark. Wissa capitalised on a defensive error and the ball ran to Gordon, who grabbed his sixth goal in the competition so far this term.
Miley replaced Bruno Guimarães, who was limping as he walked off the pitch, just before the break and Howe will hope his captain's ankle injury is a minor one.
Paul Wanner registered the visitors' first shot on target in first-half stoppage time but it was comfortably dealt with by Nick Pope.
Barnes made it 3-0 in the 65th minute, slotting beyond Matěj Kovář in typically clinical fashion - then Wissa came within inches of connecting with a Barnes cross.
In the 76th minute, substitute Woltemade tested Kovář with a header from a cross from fellow sub Anthony Elanga, who came close moments later as he flashed an effort just wide.
Trippier - who had taken over as skipper when Guimarães came off - was himself replaced by Joe Willock in the 86th minute and he bestowed the honour upon Miley, still only 19 years old but a goalscorer in United's previous Champions League game, a 2-2 draw at Bayer Leverkusen.
"I think he is potentially a future captain of the football club, which for someone so young is a big statement to make," said head coach Howe. "I think it was spontaneous for Kieran to give him the armband - I wanted to protect Kieran and give him the best chance to stay fit - but giving the captaincy to Lewis was a poignant moment and a nice one for Lewis and his family."
There will surely be many more to come on this stage for the Stanley-born teenager and for Newcastle United, who are now certain of at least a play-off spot.
Newcastle United: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier (Joe Willock 86), Lewis Hall, Sven Botman, Joelinton (Jacob Ramsey 72), Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon (Anthony Elanga 72), Harvey Barnes, Malick Thiaw, Yoane Wissa (Nick Woltemade 72), Bruno Guimarães (c) (Lewis Miley 45+3)
Subs not used: Max Thompson, Aaron Ramsdale, Alex Murphy, Leo Shahar, Sean Neave
