An NUFC check list: Bruno in the middle, Botman at the back, Isak in attack, Howe in the dugout. 

All were present and correct on Saturday, as three goals and three points saw the Magpies regain third place in the Premier League with four games remaining.

Thoughts of last weeks' Villa Park misadventure were banished once United went ahead, relegation finally becoming a reality for an Ipswich side who were reduced to ten men before half time.

Visiting midfielder Ben Johnson collected his first booking on the half hour after diving on the edge of the home box and seven minutes later was en route to the dressing room after illegally grabbing Isak as he shimmied towards the Ipswitch area.

The game at that point remained scoreless, a home line-up showing one change - that of Joe Willock for knee injury victim Joelinton - starting slowly and not threatening the visitor's goal until Bruno's 22nd minute effort was chalked off for an alleged push on goalkeeper Alex Palmer.

Signs of life from United saw two opportunities for Isak in quick succession just before the red card; heading over before a powerful volley cleared the Leazes End crossbar.

The numerical advantage spurred United on and a series of goalmouth scrambles followed as Ipswich were unable to clear their lines - Bruno's bicycle kick cleared off the line and Sandro Tonali striking the goal frame, with Harvey Barnes unable to scramble home the loose ball. 

Referee Michael Salisbury was jeered by both sets of fans as he struggled for control, booking both Burn and Liam Delap after a farcical shoving episode in the Town area when the Ipswich player seemed to think that Magic Weekend had come a week early with an attempted front-on tackle. 

Salisbury was also indifferent to what looked like a calculated attempt by Julio Enciso and Sam Morsy to unsettle Willock that began in the first 10 seconds of play. Much better to concentrate on the foot fault of Jason Tindall later on though..... 

An inexplicable one minute of first half added time was then extended to five after Enciso grabbed Jacob Murphy's arm in the area; a pitchside VAR check belatedly giving Isak the opportunity to smash home his spot kick to open the scoring.

It was always going to be a matter of how many goals the Magpies would win by and the second period featured a series of elongated passing sequences as the 10 Town players attempted to form a blockade around their box.

That was breached 11 minutes after the restart when Kieran Trippier's cross was headed in by Dan Burn at the back post. Trippier then capped another display blending talent and awareness with his second assist; this one a corner allowing William Osula to loop in his maiden Premier League goal. 

There were to be no more goals but the welcome return of Sven Botman from the bench after missing the last 12 games was warmly applauded by those present.

And after the bespoke musical selections that followed the last two home wins, Ed Sheeran was thankfully absent from the PA system - as was Petula Clark's "Downtown"....

Howe's return and a first sighting of Botman since February were bonuses, but the matter in hand today was simply collecting three points by any means necessary. That mission was accomplished and the damage done to our goal difference at Villa Park was also offset. 

The anticipated absence of Joelinton for some or all of our remaining four games presumably affords Willock further opportunities to state his case for selection. There was no lack of effort from him here today, but he remains levels below what we've seen from him in a black and white shirt.  

On to the Amex then, a venue where we've consistently struggled; facing a Brighton side who have beaten us twice this season and who spectacularly ended their recent winless run on Saturday. 

Given that three of the teams immediately below play before we do, the PL table will look rather different by then. Howe boasts a squad of players who are proven to raise their game on big occasions though - and that line about each game being a cup final should no longer strike fear into our hearts...  

Biffa