Mike Ashley was spared a mauling as Newcastle cruised to victory over Peterborough to cement their place at the top of the Championship table.

The under-fire owner was subjected to angry protests both before and during the game - one banner read "Not wanted@St James' Park" - but Chris Hughton's players ensured the supporters had something positive to shout about with a rousing performance.

It was a day of firsts for the Magpies: the first game since Ashley re-named the ground the sportsdirect.com@St James' Park Stadium, Chris Hughton's first home game as permanent manager and first goals for Jonas Gutierrez and Danny Simpson.

But from the moment Gutierrez capped an enterprising 15th-minute run with the opening goal, the bulk of a crowd of 43,067 were at least able to enjoy the fare on offer on the pitch.

Andy Carroll made it 2-0 with an 18th-minute header and Simpson's curling effort seven minutes after the break secured the points long before Dean Keates' consolation strike 10 minutes from time.

Gutierrez was denied a seventh-minute opener after a mesmerising run into the box when his shot was blocked by defender Ryan Bennett but he did not have to wait long to make his mark.

With 15 minutes gone, the Argentina international set out from half way before cutting inside from the left wing and carving his way through the blue shirts then firing right-footed past keeper Joe Lewis.

Newcastle were 2-0 up within three minutes when Carroll guided Danny Guthrie's corner beyond Lewis with a deft near-post header.

Kevin Nolan fired over from 20 yards as Posh struggled to keep the home side at bay but Newcastle were dealt a blow when Gutierrez limped off with only 21 minutes gone to be replaced by Ryan Taylor.

Guthrie fired against the foot of the far post with 28 minutes gone but, as the visitors finally responded, the Magpies became sloppy in possession.

However, Lewis was beaten for the third time seven minutes after the break when full-back Simpson cut inside from the right and curled a left-foot shot into the top corner.

Steve Harper had to make his first real save of the game from George Boyd's 57th-minute shot and was stretched further by substitute Aaron Mclean's effort seconds later, and he excelled himself once again to block Craig Mackail-Smith's 62nd-minute shot from point-blank range.

However, in the meantime, Lewis had had to deny first Nolan and then Marlon Harewood in quick succession, and he later had to keep out a Jose Enrique piledriver as the home side went for the kill.

Keates struck from close range with 80 minutes gone but there was no way back for Posh.

Teams:

Newcastle Harper, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini,Jose Enrique, Guthrie, Nolan, Smith,Gutierrez (Ryan Taylor 21), Carroll (Lovenkrands 78),Harewood (Ranger 77).

Subs Not Used: Krul, Geremi, Butt, Kadar.

Goals: Gutierrez 15, Carroll 18, Simpson 52.

Peterborough Lewis, Lee, Morgan, Bennett, Rowe,Whelpdale (Batt 75), Diagouraga (Coutts 46), Keates, Boyd,Rose (Mclean 46), Mackail-Smith.

Subs Not Used: Amos, Martin, Zakuani, Frecklington.

Booked: Bennett.

Goals: Keates 79.

Att: 43,067

Ref: Andy D'Urso (Essex).