The Hammers had lost both their home matches ahead of Monday night's clash; to Leicester and Bournemouth.
It was hardly the way West Ham fans had envisaged their final season at the Boleyn progressing.
What happened in the ninth minute was, however, as Dimitri Payet illustrated exactly why he's earned rave reviews so far this season.
Receiving Mark Noble's pass on the edge of the box, Payet effortlessly stroked home with the inside of his boot to put Bilic's men ahead.
The finish was nonchalant, yet exquisite; Tim Krul, diving to his left, had no chance.
If before the game the talk was about McClaren versus Bilic, then by the final whistle Payet was the only name on supporters' lips.
It was turning into supershow from the talented Frenchman.
He could have assisted another three before hammering home the final nail in Newcastle's coffin three minutes after the restart
Victor Moses, who was having a promising debut, powered a shot off the underside of the bar after a strong run past Massadio Haidara; and Payet did the rest, expertly volleying the rebound past Krul.
The finish was far from simple; but Payet made it look so, keeping his eyes fixed firmly on the ball as it dropped out of the sky before stroking home.
'He is the player I really wanted from the start and I doubted he would come,' raved Bilic, who introduced Andy Carroll in the 88th minute as the striker made his return from a long-term knee injury.
'It happened so quickly I couldn’t believe it. It got done in five days and I didn’t believe it would happen.'
What McClaren would do for a player like Payet right now.
Indeed, the lack of fight from Newcastle, who sit bottom this morning, following Payet's second will keep McClaren fully occupied this week.
Lose at home to Watford this weekend; then McClaren may have to get used to being called a 'wally'.
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