Wijnaldum hits cracking quartet of goals as Newcastle smash six past Norwich

The Republic of Ireland winger then coolly laid the ball off for Martin Olsson, who expertly picked out in-form forward Dieumerci Mbokani. In his first Premier League start, the Dynamo Kiev-owned dangerman did not disappoint, clinically dispatching to dent the hosts’ hopes and equalise around the 20th minute mark.

Just five minutes later, however, the Magpies magnificently pulled back in front, adeptly illustrating the frustrating Jekyll and Hyde performances of the St James’ Park side this season.

Deadly duo Sissoko and Wijnaldum were protagonists again, sparking the Toon Army back into life, with the latter’s terrific turn and floating cross again finding his determined Dutch receiver. Wijnaldum was similarly clinical, nodding home easily past a slow to react Ruddy, to make for a brilliant brace, though he was far from finished.

Spanish striker Ayoze Perez then made it three, with Sissoko again the catalyst, his burst on the counter causing Norwich to back peddle into their own box.

Nimble Perez was the benefactor of lung-bursting Sissoko’s smart work and, though his first attempt was blocked well by Olsson, a crisp second strike found it’s way through Ruddy’s legs.

The Toon Army’s joy was short-lived, however, as Norwich once again exploited nervy Newcastle down the flanks, with Olsson nabbing his second assist of the match. This time it was Nathan Redmond waiting unmarked and ready to smash home Norwich’s second with the side of his foot, to ensure a frenzied finish to the first half.

Canaries schooled in art of counter-attack

Former Magpie Sebastien Bassong almost bagged against his own club shortly after the break, but was denied his moment of glory as wily Wijnaldum also proved a hero at the other end, clearing the Cameroon international’s effort from a whipped-in Brady corner.

The tables initially appeared to have turned in the second-half, with Norwich applying the greater pressure. Yet, a Sissoko-inspired Newcastle proved efficient and ruthless again in a series of devastating counter-attacks.

Marksman Mitrovic got in the scoring act in the 64th minute, with midfield bulldozer Sissoko racking-up his third assist. The Frenchman was the epitome of a box-to-box midfielder, springing an attack after snatching the ball close to his own area, unleashing Perez before reclaiming possession to ping a pinpoint ball to lurking Mitrovic.

The Serbian striker chested down superbly before unleashing a stunning volley to make the scoreline an emphatic 4-2 in the Northeast outfit’s favour. Under a minute later, and Sissoko again helped create the fifth goal for Newcastle, his run crafting space for Janmaat to pump the ball into Norwich’s box.

Wijnaldum, again left criminally unmarked in a shambolic example of the demolished guests’ defending, nodded high to meet his compatriot’s cross and complete a heroic hat-trick. In such confident form, the majestic Dutchman then crowned his outstanding individual performance with a swerving strike to compound the Canaries’ misery and clock-up a quintet of goals.

While this rout of the Premier League new boys will lift Newcastle before their battle with Northeast rivals Sunderland, McClaren has much work to do on his defence, though can be content with an excellent attacking quartet of Mitrovic, Perez, Sissoko and Wijnaldum, who will be giving the Black Cats sleepless nights.

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