United's second-string struck twice in the opening 17 minutes, with Dylan Stephenson's close-range finish sending the hosts in front at Whitley Park before Kyle Crossley's curling effort doubled Newcastle's lead. 

The attacking pair were both on the scoresheet again in the second-half, with Stephenson's second-half lob extending Newcastle's lead further before Crossley added gloss to the scoreline to secure maximum points for Elliott Dickman's side. 

Dickman made four changes to the side which suffered a 4-2 defeat against their Norwich City counterparts on Sunday as Joe White, who spent the second-half of the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Hartlepool United, was handed his first start of the season at second-string level.

Michael Ndiweni and Matt Bondswell also returned to the starting line-up, after the pair served one match suspensions following red cards against Stoke City, along with versatile defender Nathan Carlyon.

In the 8th minute, Stephenson notched his second goal in as many games at second-string level as the Blyth-born forward latched onto Crossley's inviting cross from the left flank and, after Cian Kelly failed to clear the ball, stabbed the ball into the net from within the six-yard area.

Nine minutes later, Newcastle doubled their advantage as Crossley netted his first goal of the campaign at under-21 level. The 18-year-old winger, who primarily plays on the left flank, picked the ball on the edge of the penalty area before arrowing a low effort into the far right-hand corner.

Ndiweni went close to netting his second Premier League 2 goal of the season shortly after as the 18-year-old striker, who signed his first professional contract with his boyhood club last month, saw a fierce half-volley turned out for a corner by Derby goalkeeper Harrison Foulkes.

Newcastle goalkeeper Jude Smith, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up from Scottish League Two side East Fife, was forced into action as the 19-year-old Scotsman, born in Coatbridge, pushed away Darren Robinson's goal bound header.

In the 58th minute, Newcastle added a third as Stephenson netted his third goal in his last two Premier League 2 matches. The 19-year-old, who made his Magpies first-team debut during a pre-season friendly against Atalanta in July, race onto Alex Murphy's lofted pass before calmly lifting the ball over the advancing Foulkes.

Crossley notched his brace in the 64th minute as the rapid winger, who scored on his under-21s debut at the age of 16 against Crystal Palace in April 2021, latched onto Stephenson's pass from the byline before placing the ball into the net.

The Murton-born youngster went close to netting a hat-trick after Jay Turner-Cooke's initial chip struck the crossbar but the teenage winger sliced the ball wide of the target.

Newcastle continued their push for a fifth goal, with Stephenson and Turner-Cooke both being narrowly denied by smart stops from Foulkes.

United's hopes of a clean sheet looked to be dashed when Sonny Blu-Lo Everton rounded Smith but the forward's effort clipped the post before the ball was cleared from danger, with Bartosz Cybulski's header seconds later tipped out for a corner by Smith.

Newcastle United Under-21s turn their attention to Papa John's Trophy action on Tuesday night when they travel to League Two side Doncaster Rovers for their opening Northern Section Group E fixture (kick-off 7pm BST).

Newcastle United Under-21s: Jude Smith, Nathan Carlyon, Remi Savage (c), Alex Murphy, Matt Bondswell, James Huntley, Jay Turner-Cooke, Dylan Stephenson (Josh Scott 73), Kyle Crossley (Jordan Hackett 74), Joe White (Charlie Wiggett 46), Michael Ndiweni (Santiago Muñoz 81).

Subs not used: Will Brown.