Emilio Lawrence’s deflected effort against the run of play sent United’s second-string behind at the half-time break before Lewis Miley’s wonderfully-taken free-kick after the restart was harshly disallowed following an interference in the City wall.

Michael Okeke’s sliding finish doubled the Sky Blues’ advantage in the latter stages before Will Dickson’s brace extended the visitors’ lead further, condeming United's youngsters to a third successive league loss.

Ben Dawson made four changes from the side which suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against ten-man Reading last week as young striker Dylan Stephenson replaced Joe White, who joined League Two side Crewe Alexandra for the duration of the 2023/24 campaign on Thursday, in attack.

Lewis Miley, who received a first international call-up with England Under-19s on Friday, returned to the starting line-up whilst Ciaran Thompson, who signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club last summer, and Remi Savage were named in the starting XI ahead of facing a City side targeting a fourth successive Premier League 2 title this term.

The hosts began the contest in bright fashion, with Jamie Miley going close to breaking the deadlock. After Lewis Miley’s cross from the byline was directed into his brother’s path, the central midfielder’s first-time shot was pushed away by City goalkeeper George Murray Jones.

Newcastle were left appealing for a penalty kick minutes later as Lewis Miley, who became the club’s youngest Premier League debutant after featuring against Chelsea on the final day of the 2022/23 season, was bundled over inside the penalty area by Mahamadou Susoho but referee Aaron Jackson waved away the decision to the frustration of the England Under-17 international.

In the 18th minute, City opened the scoring through Lawrence as the City winger cut inside from the right flank before his resulting effort took an unfortunate deflection off Alex Murphy, wrong footing Newcastle goalkeeper Jude Smith.

Amadou Diallo almost equalised in instant fashion for Newcastle as the England under-17 international’s goal bound free-kick was pushed around the post by Murray Jones.

The young Magpies continued their pursuit for an equaliser as Lewis Miley fired wildly over the crossbar before Stephenson saw a fierce drive at goal blocked by the busy Murray Jones whilst Alex Murphy, who received his first international call-up for Republic of Ireland at under-21 level this week, was withdrawn due to injury on the stroke of half-time.

United’s youngsters looked to have drawn level within minutes of the restart as Lewis Miley’s excellent free-kick from the edge of the penalty area flew into the net but the effort was ruled out as Magpies forward Ben Parkinson was adjudged to have been situated within the City wall.

In the 74th minute, City doubled their lead through Okeke’s close-range finish, with the midfielder connecting with Micah Hamilton’s dangerous cross from the left flank before firing the ball beyond Smith.

City all but confirmed maximum points seven minutes later through Dickson as the City striker controlled Jahmai Simpson Pusey’s pass, following a lengthy run from the defender, before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

Diallo almost netted a wonderful consolation in the final minutes after spotting Murray Jones off his line but the pacey winger’s audacious effort from distance landed narrowly over the crossbar.

Newcastle conceded a fourth in the third minute of stoppage-time through Dickson’s close-range finish, who reacted the quickest after Hamilton’s shot was parried by Smith to place the ball into an empty net.

Newcastle United Under-21s: Jude Smith, Ciaran Thompson (Charlie Wiggett 75), Cathal Heffernan, Remi Savage, Alex Murphy (Charlie McArthur 45), Nathan Carlyon (c) (Ellis Stanton 75), Jamie Miley, Lewis Miley, Ben Parkinson, Amadou Diallo, Dylan Stephenson (James Huntley 57).

Subs not used: Will Brown.