12 mins Naismith shot. 0-1

31 mins Bailey shot. 1-1

42 mins Sangare shot. 2-1

44 mins Naismith. 2-2

45+2 mins Gillesphey header. 3-2

Half time: Canaries 2 Magpies 3

53 mins Cantwell penalty. 3-3

74 mins Abrahams shot. 3-4

Full time: Canaries 4 Magpies 3

United's U23s began their 2018 fixture programme in Norfolk with defeat by the odd goal in seven, ending a winning run of four league and cup victories.

A rare Sunday fixture for the second string saw them facing the Canaries at their Colney training centre and the hosts took a 12th minute lead when a Tristan Abrahams cross from the left was volleyed home first time at the back post by striker Steven Naismith.

However, the Magpies were level by the half hour, when a corner wasn't cleared properly and Mo Sangare's knock down set up Owen Bailey to shoot home for his second goal this season.

Sangare, a 21st minute substitute for Dan Ward, then fired United ahead three minutes before the break, latching on to Macaulay Gillespie's through ball before cracking in a fine left-footed effort. 

The hosts levelled again through Naismith in the 45th minute, after Gillesphey failed to cut out a forward pass and the Scottish International slipped his shot under Nathan Harker. 

However, Gillesphey almost instantly atoned for his rick by looping home a header from Dan Barlaser's left wing free kick to restore Newcastle's lead in the second minute of first half added time.

City restored parity eight minutes into the second half, when Todd Cantwell sent Harker the wrong way from the penalty spot following a debatable foul on Tristan Abrahams in the box - the home player running alongside two defenders before losing his footing. 

Newcastle then pressed strongly for a fourth goal, but it was Norwich that claimed it, Abrahams notching what proved to be the winner in the 74th minute, Naismith dinking a chipped pass into the area and the former Leyton Orient striker finishing with a first-time effort from 10 yards out.

Callum Williams returned to the Newcastle line-up after completing his loan spell with Gateshead, while Yasin Ben El-Mhanni was used as a second half substitute, days after meeting club officials over bullying allegations.