Newcastle: Four key talking points from the Magpies' win over Derby - plus reaction from Rafael Benitez and Steve McClaren

The Magpies had to endure some nervous second-half moments, but their victory enabled them to move back ahead of Brighton and ensured they remained six points ahead of third-placed Reading.

What were the major talking points from St James’ Park?

MO PROVIDES MOMENTUM

Newcastle have missed Mo Diame during his stint at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal, and the midfielder was a key factor as the Magpies got back to winning ways this afternoon.

Whereas Ayoze Perez’s lack of physical strength can make him easy prey for opposition defenders, Diame is a much more robust proposition, capable of holding his own in the Championship.

He linked play effectively in the first half, driving at the Derby defence and helping set up Ritchie’s winner with a neat ball into Aleksandar Mitrovic.

He tired as the game wore on – understandable given his absence in Gabon – but is likely to prove crucial as Newcastle look to hold on to an automatic promotion spot in the remaining three months of the season.

RETURN OF THE MAC

Steve McClaren suffered some frustrating days on the St James’ Park touchline during his time as Newcastle boss – this was another one in charge of the Rams.

For the opening hour, McClaren must have feared a heavy defeat with Newcastle dominating possession and regularly threatening to add to their opening goal from Ritchie.

But after making some positive substitutions, the Derby boss watched his side improve markedly in the final 30 minutes. By the end, he must have been wondering how he hadn’t been able to salvage at least a point.

Tom Ince missed a sitter with nine minutes left, and Darren Bent was left frustrated as DeAndre Yedlin cleared his stoppage-time header from the line.

GAYLE-FORCE GAP IN ATTACK

Dwight Gayle should be back in the side for next weekend’s trip to Wolves – on the evidence of the last two matches, his return cannot come quickly enough.

On Wednesday, Daryl Murphy struggled to break down the QPR back four, and this afternoon, it was Aleksandar Mitrovic’s turn to be found wanting.

The Serbian missed a glorious opportunity in the second half, dragging a shot wide after Ritchie nodded the ball back into his path, and his lack of movement stood in marked contrast to the pace and mobility that Gayle adds to the side.

Newcastle have to play differently when Gayle is not in the side, and keeping their leading scorer fit will be one of the Magpies’ key priorities in the remainder of the campaign.

IN RAFA WE TRUST

It has been a fraught couple of weeks on Tyneside, with Rafael Benitez’s frustration at the lack of January signings resulting in questions over his long-term future.

Benitez pointedly refused to commit himself beyond the end of the season when he conducted his pre-match press conference on Friday, and just as the final game of last season had been an opportunity for Newcastle’s supporters to express their feelings about the Spaniard, so today’s game turned into another public affirmation of Tyneside’s love for the Magpies boss.

Choruses of “Rafa Benitez” boomed around St James’ Park as the game kicked off, and were sporadically reprised throughout the afternoon.

Mike Ashley wasn’t on Tyneside to hear them, but he can surely have no doubt about the strength of affection for Benitez. Whether he cares either way, though, remains to be seen.

MANAGER’S COMMENTS:

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez said: “The fans have been amazing for me all year and I'm happy if they continue singing my name, but also supporting the players. If the players win, I win, and if the players win, the fans win.

“It was important they realised that they can make the difference in a game like this, from the start they were ready to back the team and cheer the players.

“The players responded to it, we started the game well and the fans were happy with that. You could feel the atmosphere when we scored the goal and the fans know the players will run a little bit more if they can feel this support and this atmosphere.

“We played good football for a while, and every three points is important. It doesn't matter how you get them. In the end we had to defend really well against a really good team to get the points that we deserved.”

Derby manager Steve McClaren said: “It's a great club, with great supporters; the staff have always been good, and the same with the majority of the players.

"So it was always going to be a difficult afternoon. But I was just focused and concentrated on the game. We go away with nothing and move on.

“I'll have a glass of wine and a good conversation and it will be very interesting, but it's private - very private.”

LINE-UPS:

Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Yedlin, Hanley, Clark, Dummett; Shelvey, Hayden (Perez 49); Ritchie, Diame, Gouffran (Lascelles 90); Mitrovic (Ameobi 84).

Subs (not used): Elliot (gk), Lazaar, Gamez, Murphy.

Derby (4-3-3):  Carson; Baird, Keogh, Pearce, Olsson; Butterfield, Johnson (Anya 76), Bryson (de Sart 46); Ince, Bent, Russell (Camara 64).

Subs (not used): Mitchell (gk), Christie, Shackell, Vydra.