The Town fans gave a fantastic ovation to Lady Robson and her family as they renamed the North Stand after Sir Bobby Robson but that was as good as it got for Blues.
A crowd of 27,000 roared their approval as a cutting of a blue and white ribbon at half-time signified the change of name in honour of the man that oversaw the most successful spell in the Club's history.
Many of the Town players that helped Blues to FA Cup and UEFA Cup triumph joined the Robson family at half-time for the ceremony, with the Newcastle fans joining in as Portman Road reverberated to the sound of Sir Bobby's favourite track, Frank Sinatra's My Way, which was belted out by All Angels singer Laura Wright and all four corners of the ground.
The game was over by the time the half-time celebrations took place though, with Newcastle tying the points up with three goals in four minutes on the half hour.
Kevin Nolan put the Magpies ahead with a powerful header from a Ryan Taylor free-kick, the former midfielder adding a second soon after, cutting inside Balkestein before beating Richard Wright.
The Town 'keeper, who made two excellent saves in the first-half, had to pick the ball out of the net again on 34 minutes, Ryan Taylor beating him with a 30 yard free-kick.
Nolan completed his hat-trick five minutes after the break, heading in from close range as the visitors went top of the Championship.
Town made four changes from the team that drew at Doncaster last week, Balkestein coming in for Tommy Smith, Tamas Priskin given a start in place of Pablo Counago with Jack Colback and Liam Trotter in midfield, Lee Martin and Alan Quinn dropping to the bench.
Newcastle carved out the first opening on four minutes in an even first half hour, Nile Ranger showing good strength to hold off Alex Bruce and bring a save from Wright at full stretch.
A neat flick by Priskin created space for Liam Rosenior to cross from the right, Fabricio Coloccini heading clear from Jon Walters.
Andy Carroll hit the sidenetting from an acute angle with Wright stranded on the edge of the box, Nolan then picking up the first booking of the game for a foul.
Jack Colback sent a free-kick into the wall after Carlos Edwards had been brought down on the edge of the box before Newcastle opened the scoring on 30 minutes, Ryan Taylor's free-kick headed in by Nolan at the near post.
Newcastle doubled their advantage three minutes later, Nolan again the scorer after latching on to a long ball, cutting inside Balkestein's challenge and beating Wright at his near post.
Blues conceded a third on 34 minutes, Ryan Taylor sending in a 30 yard free-kick into the top corner to send the travelling support into ecstasy.
Bruce , who was yellow carded for a foul nine minutes before the break, did not get to half-time, the Republic of Ireland international making way for Smith after taking a knock.
Wright saved from Ranger as Newcastle threatened again from a cross and Chris Hughton's side didn't have to wait long after the break for another, Ranger free to head back across goal and Nolan completing his hat-trick from two yards.
Jaime Peters and Counago replaced Damien Delaney and Priskin before the hour mark, Newcastle introducing new loan signing Marlon Harewood and Peter Lovenkrands for Ranger and the injured Coloccini.
Balkestein went close for Blues, his shot gathered by Steve Harper, Walters picking up a yellow card as the game went into added on time.
With West Brom losing at home to Crystal Palace, the three points took Newcastle to the summit while Town go to Sheffield United on Tuesday, looking for that elusive first win of the campaign.
Town: R.Wright, Rosenior, Bruce (Smith 39)Balkestein, Delaney (Peters 57), Edwards, Leadbitter, Colback, Trotter, Walters, Priskin (Counago 60). Subs not used: Lee-Barrett, Martin, Stead, Quinn. Booked: Bruce, Walters.
Newcastle: Harper, Khizanishvili, Coloccini (Lovenkrands 67), S.Taylor, Luis Enrique, R.Taylor (Donaldson 77), Smith, Butt, Nolan, Ranger (Harewood 65), Carroll. Subs not used: Krul, Ngo Baheng, Tozer, Vuckic. Booked: Nolan
Att: 27,051
