NEWCASTLE returned to the top of the Championship table as they claimed a resounding 4-0 over basement boys Rotherham United.

The Magpies had to wait until first-half stoppage time to break down the Millers defence, but they added three more goals after the interval as their class eventually told.

Daryl Murphy broke the deadlock with a neat finish, Matt Ritchie added two more goals to the brace he claimed in Wednesday’s FA Cup replay win over Birmingham, and Ayoze Perez also got onto the scoresheet with a close-range header.

The victory lifts the Magpies back above Brighton, who beat Sheffield Wednesday last night, and leaves Rafael Benitez’s side nine points clear of Huddersfield Town, who have moved into third position.

As expected, Benitez made a host of changes from the midweek FA Cup win, bringing back the first teamers who had been rested three days earlier.

Rotherham’s approach was apparent from the outset, with Paul Warne’s side regularly pulling nine outfield players into their own penalty area as they attempted to frustrate their opponents.

Their approach worked for the vast majority of the first half, with Newcastle struggling to break down the Millers’ defence before Murphy opened the scoring in stoppage time.

The Irish international had also gone close in the 13th minute, but was unable to direct his header from Jonjo Shelvey’s cross at the target.

Shelvey’s long passes were a feature of Newcastle’s attacking all afternoon, and the midfielder helped set up a golden opportunity for Perez midway through the first half.

Murphy flicked on Shelvey’s long ball, but while Perez was able to advance into the right-hand side of the area, his rising drive sailed over the crossbar.

The Millers were only really a threat on the break, but Karl Darlow was forced to tip Anthony Forde’s 30th-minute drive around the post and the visitors should have claimed what would have been a shock lead nine minutes later.

Darlow lost possession of the ball as he slid towards the edge of his area, and almost brought down Forde as he attempted to rectify his error. Forde slipped the ball across to Jerry Yates in the heart of the penalty box, but Darlow somehow recovered to produce a sensational reflex save.

The importance of the save was magnified in the second minute of stoppage time, when Newcastle claimed the lead. Shelvey’s long free-kick found Yedlin in the area, the full-back pulled the ball back to Murphy, and Newcastle’s in-form frontman turned neatly before curling a deft finish into the left-hand corner of the net.

It was Murphy’s third goal in his last three outings, and ensured the Magpies could head into the break with a spring in their step.

Their mood will have improved further four minutes after the break, with Ritchie’s goal effectively settling things.

Rotherham goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell parried Yoan Gouffran’s 20-yard strike, but having scored two goals in the midweek FA Cup win, Ritchie made it three goals in the space of four days as he reacted quickest to slot home the rebound.

Suddenly, Newcastle were threatening to run riot, and a third goal duly arrived shortly before the hour mark.

DeAndre Yedlin drove down the right-hand side, and did well to pull the ball back from close to the byline. Having stolen ahead of his marker, Perez was left with the simple task of heading home at the front post.

Ciaran Clark shot wide as Rotherham’s first-half organisation disappeared completely after the break, and Ritchie claimed his second goal of the game with 13 minutes left.

Shelvey found the Scotsman with a superb pass after driving upfield, and Ritchie slotted home a neat finish from the edge of the area.

Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Yedlin (Sterry 80), Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Shelvey, Hayden; Ritchie, Perez, Gouffran (Ameobi 64); Murphy (Lazaar 75).

Subs (not used): Sels (gk), Hanley, Haidara, Barlaser.

Rotherham (4-1-4-1): O’Donnell; Fisher, Wood, Belaid, Mattock; Smallwood; Forde (Kelly 87), Vaulks, Adeyemi, Taylor (Allan 75); Yates (Ward 61).

Subs (not used): Bilboe (gk), Wilson, Mason.