Georginio Wijnaldum lit up St James' Park with four goals as Newcastle United picked up their first Premier League win of the season by crushing Norwich City 6-2 tonight.

The Dutchman scored twice, either side Dieumerci Mbokani's equaliser, to give the Magpies a 2-1 lead by 26 minutes, with Ayoze Perez then adding a third.

Nathan Redmond threw Norwich a lifeline by reducing the arrears moments later, but second-half goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and another two from Wijnaldum sealed it.

Here, Sports Mole reviews how United opened their account at the ninth time of asking this season.

Match statistics

NEWCASTLE
Shots: 11
On target: 6
Possession: 44%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 10

NORWICH
Shots: 18
On target: 6
Possession: 56%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 10

Was the result fair?

By virtue of the fact that Newcastle United managed six shots on target, and scored six goals, it might suggest that ruthlessness was the difference between both sides this evening - and it was. Norwich did themselves no favours defensively, but they still did more than enough at the other end to make the scoreline seem far less one-sided. Despite the statistics favouring Norwich, it was Newcastle's night and one to remember.

Newcastle's performance

On paper, this Super Sunday seemed like a contradiction of its billing, but with eight goals - and five inside the first 34 minutes - the Magpies' visit of the Canaries was certainly not one for the birds. Prior to kickoff, Twitter was rife with sarcastic jabs over what seemed destined to be a low-key affair, but Newcastle had the last laugh. They can finally afford to smile, having endured an early-season horror show which had yielded nothing but misery and fears of relegation. With Steve McClaren's men now 18th in the table, the threat of relegation certainly remains, but United will undoubtedly feel a whole lot better about their season now.

Seventy-one days after the 2015-16 campaign kicked off, Newcastle finally have a win - and this was worth the wait. There were cracks, and their defensive frailties will certainly have to be addressed before next weekend's Tyne-Wear derby at Sunderland, but there were oh so many plus points in the form of an attack which looked dangerous every time they went forward.

Norwich's defence - or lack of, at times - certainly played a role, with at least three of Wijnaldum's four goals completely avoidable, but focusing on the visitors' deficiencies instead of the hosts' proficiency would be a mistake. From early on, Newcastle looked like a team ready to kick-start their season and plenty of sides would have struggled with them tonight. Moussa Sissoko, who grabbed a hat-trick of assists, was particularly brilliant on their right wing.

The Frenchman also clearly received a telling-off at the break after failing to track Martin Olsson in the build-up to Norwich's equaliser. He was much more industrious in the second period and his assist for Mitrovic - who was also excellent in the second half - is testament to that.

In his pre-match notes, McClaren stressed that he did not have a magic wand to weave and disappear their early-season woes. But what he does have is the likes of Wijnaldum and Sissoko, and together, they can lift Newcastle out of the mire. Their season starts now.

Norwich's performance

Norwich City boss Alex Neil might resemble a young Grant Mitchell, but if only his team were as tough and stoic as their manager's doppelganger. It was a clueless defensive display from the Canaries, who can be thankful that Newcastle exposed their frailties and not, say, Arsenal or Manchester City, who might have reached double figures against this defence. Sebastien Bassong and Russell Martin were at the heart of the defence and the heart of the problem, with the duo arguably culpable for the first three goals.

There were promising signs in the second half, with Redmond particularly impressive. In fact, the winger - recalled to the starting XI by Neil - looked like the only one who believed that Norwich were still in it at 3-2. And they were, with Redmond hitting the post, but it was a false dawn. Once Newcastle exerted a tiny bit of pressure, City's defence collapsed once more.

Martin had the armband, but he was not the leader that Norwich were crying out for this evening. Nobody put themselves out there and attempted to organise a clueless defence in a bid to stem the tide of goals, and that should be the overriding concern for Neil.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Georginio Wijnaldum: With four goals, it can only be the Dutchman, but it has to be said that the manner of his goals is more a reflection on Norwich's defending than him. Still, Wijnaldum, a £14.5m summer signing, initially struggled in his early days in the North-East, but tonight's showing will do him, and indeed Newcastle, the world of good for the rest of the campaign.

Biggest gaffe

With the exception of perhaps Olsson, no Norwich defender covered himself in glory this evening, but especially not Bassong. On his return to St James', the former Magpie not only played Wijnaldum onside for the opener, but the centre-back also afforded the Dutchman an acre of space in which to hurt the visitors, and he did just that.

Referee performance

Anthony Taylor had a quiet game, only booking Cheick Tiote and Graham Dorrans in the contest. However, he could, and probably should, have awarded Norwich a penalty when Jonny Howson was impeded by Daryl Janmaat at 2-1 down. Still, replays showed that the official's vision might have been obscured by a sea of bodies in a crowded penalty box.

What's next?

Newcastle: United now gear up for a Tyne-Wear derby with bitter rivals Sunderland at the Stadium of Light next Sunday.

Norwich: City are back at Carrow Road next Saturday, where they welcome West Bromwich Albion.