Newcastle beat Derby 2-0 at the iPro Stadium, lifting them to second.
Newcastle moved up to second in the Championship thanks to their 2-0 victory over Derby.
Rafael Benitez made two changes to the side that beat Brighton by the same score before the international break, bringing in Jack Colback and Dwight Gayle.
The Magpies took the lead through a sublime Yoan Gouffran strike, and wrapped up victory late on thanks to DeAndre Yedlin.
Following another impressive performance, here are five things we learned from Newcastle’s victory over Derby.
Colback’s performance proves Benitez is right to rotate
The one surprise in Benitez’s starting line-up was the inclusion of Colback, replacing the very impressive Isaac Hayden.
Colback had started the season poorly but showed his worth against Derby. The midfielder was combative in front of the defence and proved his manager was right to bring him in.
Hayden was by no means dropped, but the performance of Colback shows just how important it is that Rafa rotates, and he certainly has the ability in his squad to do so.
Newcastle have found their best centre-back pairing
Newcastle have used three different partnerships at centre-back so far this season, but they have definitely found their best pair in Jamaal Lascelles and Chancel Mbemba.
The two were colossal against Derby, giving nothing away to the forwards and heading away almost every cross that was swung into the box.
Ciaran Clark and Grant Hanley arrived in the summer from Aston Villa and Blackburn respectively, but will have to wait for their opportunity with Benitez likely to opt for the pair of Lascelles and Mbemba more often than not.
Newcastle can win ugly
Newcastle have never been the most resolute side, and have seen countless defensive calamities over the years.
However, under Benitez they look like they are becoming a solid outfit. The Magpies barely had any possession in the second half, with Derby constantly going in search of an equaliser.
Despite the pressure, Newcastle soaked it up and never really looked troubled by Derby’s attempts to draw level. The back four all did their jobs, while the high-intensity pressing from the midfield allowed Newcastle to get up the pitch at times.
Winning ugly is a quality Newcastle will need to rely on a lot this season, and it will be key in their quest for promotion.
Yoan Gouffran is going to be a key figure this season
Having returned to the Newcastle side last month against Reading, Yoan Gouffran has started every game and has proved that Benitez was right to play the Frenchman.
Gouffran fell out of favour at Newcastle last season following a string of abject performances, but the 30-year-old has been one of the Magpies’ best players this season.
The number 20 capped off another great performance with an incredible goal, pinging a volley into the Derby net, connecting sweetly with Jonjo Shelvey’s corner to give Newcastle the lead. Now that he has added goals back to his game, there is surely no way Gouffran can be dropped.
Newcastle are over their fear of playing away
During Newcastle’s decline over the past few seasons, one of the most startling problems was their away record.
While they could put in a performance at St. James’ Park, the Magpies would very rarely be able to do it on their travels, and were often on the end of some shocking results away from home.
Things look different this season, and Benitez has ensured that Newcastle can win both home and away. The win against Derby was the perfect away performance, and they dictated the game in the first half before sitting back and soaking up every ounce of pressure Derby put them under.
Newcastle have won two away games in a row without conceding a goal, showing they have dropped their tag of bad travellers.
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