Shelvey pleased to "repay" United support

Dwight Gayle struck a hat-trick as United saw off the Blues with consummate ease at St. James’ Park, Yoan Gouffran also on target for Rafa Benitez’s side.

Only on Tuesday was Shelvey cleared to take part in the Championship clash, after the red card he picked up against Nottingham Forest last week – following an altercation with Henri Lansbury – was overturned.

He responded by playing a part in both of the Magpies’ second-half goals, initiating the move which led to Gouffran’s strike, before teeing up Gayle for his third late on.

It marked a satisfying afternoon for the 24-year-old midfielder, who also took the time to pay tribute to United’s free-scoring frontman.

“Last week, I felt that I didn’t deserve to be sent off to be honest with you. I thought the boy made a meal of it, but it is what it is. Obviously, I still felt like I’d let the team down because we ended up losing the game. I felt that I needed to go out there and owe one to the team and owe one to the fans, and I think that I’ve done that today, and repaid them,” he told nufc.co.uk.

“Dwight gets lucky, to be honest! No, it can’t be luck if he is in the right place at the right time. I know he’s looking to get to 20 as soon as possible, and that’s what all forwards want to do. He just knows where the back of the net is, and he could have had another one today as well. Fair play to him.”

After a frustrating fortnight, Newcastle rarely looked troubled by Gary Rowett’s side, who took 70 minutes to muster their first shot on target.

It was the fifth time this term that United have struck four times or more, sealing a return to the top of the table after a 24-hour absence.

Benitez’s charges return to action against Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night, the Latics currently second-bottom of the standings after back-to-back defeats.

Shelvey insists the Magpies will be taking nothing for granted at the DW Stadium, however – a venue at which they have been beaten on seven of their eight visits.

“If we turn up expecting to win because we’re Newcastle United, it isn’t going to happen. We have to put as much effort into every game as we did today,” he said.

“We thoroughly deserved to win. We dominated the game throughout. It was important just to get back to winning ways – and obviously we’re happy to have done that – but obviously the job is not done yet. We need to go and carry it on into Wednesday.

“To win 4-0, you have to do things right. We’ve been working all week, we’ve had a game-plan from the get go, and we’ve stuck to it. We’ve listened to the gaffer, and it’s paid off in the end.”