The Reds were able to field a strong line-up and it was an exceptional all-round display which lit up the famous north-east venue, described as a “joy to watch” afterwards by coach Ricky Sbragia.
Nishan Burkart opened the scoring after only three minutes and doubled the lead before Tahith Chong added a third in the 33rd minute.
The Tynesiders won 4-1 in the corresponding fixture and are pushing for promotion but they had no answer as Mason Greenwood curled in a beautiful free-kick and an own goal by Oliver Walters compounded the hosts' misery.
Remarkably, it was the home side who should have scored first as Rosaire Longelo was clean through inside the first 30 seconds, only for former Magpies keeper Paul Woolston, on his maiden Premier League 2 start for the Reds, to rush out and block the shot smartly.