Soccer - Premier League Round-up:Kevin Nolan turned in a captain's display as he plundered a hat-trick to help Newcastle to a 5-1 demolition of Sunderland, while Aston Villa and rivals Birmingham played out a 0-0 draw.
Former Magpie Titus Bramble was sent off for an ugly 53rd-minute challenge on Andy Carroll, but the Black Cats were already trailing 3-0 to Nolan's double on 26 and 34 minutes and Shola Ameobi's penalty in first-half injury time.
Ameobi doubled his tally 20 minutes from time and Nolan completed his treble five minutes later to seal a famous victory despite Darren Bent's last-minute consolation.
Birmingham were on the wrong end of more penalty controversy as they earned a share of the spoils in a goalless derby clash at Aston Villa.
Alex McLeish's side had been beaten by a controversial spot-kick in the corresponding fixture last season.
This time Villa skipper Nigel Reo-Coker appeared to control the ball with his arm inside the box just before half-time - but the visitors' penalty appeals were rejected by referee Howard Webb.
Birmingham had the consolation of ending a run of six successive defeats against their local rivals.
But this was a game lacking in quality and will not remain long in the memory.