Ba opened his account in his sixth league appearance for the northeast club by scoring in the 27th minute before adding further goals with headers in the 30th and 54th.

Canadian forward Junior Hoilett had halved the deficit in the 37th with a powerful close-range finish but Blackburn, which had Martin Olsson dismissed in the 69th for his second yellow card, slipped to a fourth defeat in six league matches.

Newcastle consolidated fourth place in the table and continues to be the league’s surprise package this season.