Zola delighted with winning start

The former Chelsea midfielder officially took up his duties on Monday, following the departure of former boss Alan Curbishley because of a row over player transfers.

"I have been nervous - every single moment of the week, to be honest, but that is normal because this is the beginning of a new adventure for me," said Zola.

"In the beginning you don't know how the players will react to what you are telling them, But to be honest, they made me feel very comfortable since I arrived here," he added.

Fittingly it was Italian David di Michele - one of the men brought in, on loan from Torino, who scored twice on his home debut.

Matthew Etherington made it 3-0 before England striker Michael Owen pulled one back for the visitors, who are in desperate need of direction without a manager and under an owner looking to get out as quickly as possible.

Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton insisted despite all of the off-field troubles at St James' Park, it has to be business as usual in terms of player preparation.

"It's been the case since day one - I'm not just saying that now. Until that happens, we just need to do our best and try and get results," he said.

"The first goal summed up our luck at the moment, with the deflection off Steven Taylor, and that's what happens when you don't get the rub of the green.

"With every defeat, you try and seek positives and the reaction to going one down was good - but what you have to do, when you are on top, is score."