It was a happy return to action for Simpson, making his first appearance in a black and white shirt as a fully-fledged Newcastle player after making his loan switch from Manchester United a permanent one.

Simpson, who set up the second of Andy Carroll's brace with a superb cross, said: "I think that performance has been coming.

Read Miles Starforth's match report from St James's Park
One foot in the Premier League?

"We battered them, and it was good to be involved in it.

"It just seemed to all click from the first minute – everyone was on the same wavelength. We passed it quickly, and everyone wanted to win the ball.

"There was a hunger and desire to stay on top of the league, and we were excellent in the first half. You couldn't have asked for a better first-half performance.

"Someone said before the game when we play the better teams, we rise to the occasion, and that's a good thing.

"Cardiff have been near the top of the table all season, and it sends a message to the rest of the teams that we still mean business. We want to get back to the Premiership.

"It's a big month – everyone knows that – and this is the start of the seven games, and what a way to start it and send a message to all the other teams.

"We were still disappointed to concede, but that's just us as a defence."

* South Shields Mags are running a bus to Tuesday's game at Derby County. It departs at 1.30pm. For bookings call Chris on 07730 508362.