Prior to that purple patch, however, the Magpies had looked relegation contenders for most of the season – much to the dismay of supporters.
But out of Steve Bruce’s squad, who excelled and who struggled a little with the challenges of this year’s top flight?
Stats boffins Whoscored.com have been keeping a close eye on everything that’s gone down in the Premier League since last August, and they’ve produced an average match rating for every single player to make an appearance in 2020/21 – but who has impressed and who has underwhelmed?
For the sake of fairness, we’ve only included players here who featured for 450 minutes or more in the top flight this term – equivalent to five full matches.
Click and scroll through the pages below to find out who was the best and worst talent at each Premier League club this season, according to the statisticians.

9. Leeds United
Highest-rated: Raphinha - 7.22 Lowest-rated: Jamie Shackleton - 6.18 (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Photo: Stu Forster

10. Leicester City
Highest-rated: Wilfred Ndidi - 7.25 Lowest-rated: Nampalys Mendy - 6.36 (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) Photo: Laurence Griffiths

11. Liverpool
Highest-rated: Sadio Mane - 7.33 Lowest-rated: Xherdan Shaqiri - 6.39 (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Photo: Gareth Copley

12. Manchester City
Highest-rated: Kevin De Bruyne - 7.65 Lowest-rated: Nathan Ake - 6.57 (Photo by Carl Recine - Pool/Getty Images) Photo: Carl Recine - Pool

