A good week for Newcastle got better when they improved on a deserved point against Manchester United with an excellent 45 minute showing that left an in-form Hammers side chasing shadows.

And although the magic wore off after the interval and a gift of an early goal to the opposition gave home fans an anxious conclusion to the afternoon, the black and whites successfully saw the game out to claim a priceless three points.

Much of the credit for the victory goes to Jonjo Shelvey for an inspirational debut following his £12m switch from fellow strugglers Swansea City and he was the only change to the lineup that shared six goals on Tuesday, a like for like replacement of the China-bound Cheick Tiote in central midfield.

Actually, that last sentence is wrong - comparing the Essex-born player with the Ivorian is both misleading and unfair, as Shelvey displayed a range of accurate passing and timing only seldom glimpsed from Tiote since his first season as a Magpie. We'll sharp get that stopped.

Such was his impact both on the game and his new colleagues that both fans and media watchers were united in declaring afterwards that a successor to Yohan Cabaye had finally been sourced by the club after a two year delay. Just Demba Ba (three years and counting) to replace now then.... 

The frustration of a midfield anchored by two non-creative players has been a familiar lament and the change to our approach that came from Shelvey's arrival could hardly have been more obvious - Gini Wijnaldum and Daryl Janmaat both finding their forward runs suddenly picked out by accurate and dangerous passes. 

Boosted by Paul Dummett's late leveller on Tuesday and the two new faces, the crowd responded immediately and new life was breathed into St.James' Park - a timely reminder of what this place is like when there's something on the field to support. 

Early goals of course helped, with a raker from Ayoze Perez after just six minutes setting the tone nicely - the quickest strike we've managed in the league since November 2013. And it was 2-0 less then ten minutes later when Gini Wijnaldum profited from an even better Shelvey pass to slam in.

A stunning first half display should have brought more than those two goals, but the fluency of our attacking play was a joy to watch - and a bugger to defend against -with 22 attempts on goal more than we managed in three games earlier this season.

The lack of quality in front of goal from Aleksandar Mitrovic was apparent, but partly because our resurgence meant that he far more involved and less isolated than of late. Like the spot kick award in the last game, we actually spent more time in the opposition box - something of a novelty. 

Rob Elliot once again made some vital saves to preserve the lead and in front of him, there were crucial tackles and blocks from a revitalised Fabricio Coloccini. Shelvey's arrival also seemed to improve the mood of Moussa Sissoko - although frustratingly inconsistent with his first touch.  

A hamstring pull for Paul Dummett saw him replaced just before the hour, with fellow new arrival Henri Saivet brought on to occupy Jack Colback's defensive midfield slot as he went to left back.

Fit-again forward Emmanuel Riviere was then stripped for action on the touchline before McClaren responded to increasing pressure in the closing moments by sending on Jamaal Lascelles instead.

Elliot kept his best for last, making a vital save after 84 minutes from Kayoute, whose goalward header was blocked by the goalkeepers legs before Yoan Gouffran survived penalty claims in a frantic finale, Newcastle holding on for a first Premier League victory in six games and a first Saturday 3pm kickoff success anywhere since February 2015.

For McClaren there was the satisfaction in finally getting one over his opposite number Slaven Bilic - 
meeting for only the second time since his Croatia side beat McClaren's England 3-2 at Wembley in 2007 to end their Euro qualification hopes - and call time on his reign as national team boss.

More pertinently though, there was the satisfaction in seen his judgment of Shelvey as the player needed to improve the side quickly validated, after having won the casting vote. 

The timing of his arrival is also worthy of note; the club acting quickly after a visible failure in front of the watching owner at Watford on Saturday - shades of 2013 and the home loss to Reading that prompted an influx of signings the following week.

Waiting until deadline day might have saved us a few quid but given the tightness of the league with up to ten teams in possible peril, every game and every point needed to be contested.  

If there's a concern, it's that five goals and four points from two games lead the powers-that to conclude that they've done enough in the signings department and we can now muddle through. 

Hopefully McClaren now enjoys enough kudos and support within the club to influence what happens in the rest of this window and can stave off any attempt at penny-pinching, book balancing or "will this bloke do" sort of recruitment policy that brought us Shefki Kuqi.  

If not, the owner still could end up losing his shirt, not just the lorryload of unsold coats that he gave away to punters for winning this game as a cringeworthy - but successful - publicity stunt. 

Biffa