Newcastle's early season form was erratic on their return to English football's top tier, with thrashings of Aston Villa and local rivals Sunderland and exceptional away victories at Everton and Arsenal offset by home defeats against Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City.

After a win over Arsenal sent Newcastle to fifth in the league, the team went on a winless run that ended in the controversial sacking of manager Chris Hughton.

Despite the club's form still being reasonable, the owner's popularity decreased further after the transfer deadline day sale of local hero Andy Carroll for £35 million to Liverpool.

During the summer of 2010, Chris Hughton completed the signings of defender James Perch from Nottingham Forest, young midfielder Dan Gosling from Everton after an administrative error at Goodison Park allowed the 20-year-old to move to Newcastle on a free transfer and experienced centre-half Sol Campbell from Arsenal also on a free in preparation for life back in the Premier League.

This season also saw the departure of captain Nicky Butt, who opted to retire from football, and Fabrice Pancrate due to his contract expiring and no new deal being agreed.

Newcastle continued their impressive run of form with an excellent and unexpected 4–3 win at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in the League Cuo.

[5] The team got back on track after a three-game winless run when they defeated bottom of the table West Ham United 2–1 at Upton Park on 23 October.

The club faced more controversy when striker Andy Carroll was arrested for a reported attack on his ex-girlfriend at her home in Newcastle, to which he pleaded self-defense.

[6] Newcastle's good form was lost in a 2–1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers at home, going 1–0 down after just two minutes with a goal from Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Carroll was given Man of the Match after getting many chances and good shots only for them to be blocked by Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer or cleared off the line.

[11] He expressed delight at the role and claimed he had nothing but respect for Hughton's achievements and insisted he was excited and looking forward to his new challenge at the club.

[16] Upon the transfer window opening, Pardew hinted at the possibility of bringing David Beckham to the club on a loan move from the LA Galaxy.

[18] Pardew stated he wanted to sign two players following the defeat to Stevenage,[19] and also insisted he wished for Alan Smith to stay with the club amid reports linking him with a return to Leeds United.

[20] 16 January 2011 saw Pardew's first Tyne–Wear derby in charge saw the Magpies gather a point after a disappointing 1–1 draw; Newcastle were on the front foot for much of the game and a 50th minute back-heel goal from skipper Kevin Nolan gave the away team a 1–0 lead, but Asamoah Gyan saved Sunderland from defeat with a 94th-minute goal after Steve Harper deflected a shot from Phil Bardsley into the path of the Ghanaian and Sunderland gained the point.

Barton slipped a coolly taken penalty in to make 4–1, then Leon Best made it 4–2 with a thumping close range effort not long after a goal he scored just before had been judged offside.