"Two clubs, one legend" was the theme as those clubs identified most closely with Sir Bobby Robson's managerial career in England met in the evening sunlight. It was happy coincidence that brought them together at the end of a week that began with a memorial service to him in Durham Cathedral. When Newcastle scored three goals in five minutes from the half-hour it looked more like two teams, one rubbish.

No tributes can be too great when so few in football management come near his integrity and dignity but long before the end the home fans were as clapped out as their team. Before kick-off Ipswich rolled out 40-odd players from Robson's 13½-year reign to 1982. They carried their greatest honours with them, the FA and Uefa Cups, though did not risk a team jig. Laura Wright, an Ipswich angel from the All Angels operatic group, sang Abide With Me and I Did It My Way. At half-time Lady Elsie Robson cut a ribbon to rename the North Stand after Sir Bobby. But this was Newcastle's day. "We didn't sack Bobby Robson" was the only chanted riposte.

Both sides wore commemorative shirts bearing the logo of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, his cancer charity, for which they will be auctioned. But Ipswich had much to forget too. While Newcastle were a recommendation for chaos behind the scenes Ipswich, lately restabilised, were the opposite, shambles on a sure footing.

Robson, of course, had both clubs thriving in the top tier. Newcastle are at least flying at their new level. Chris Hughton is a caretaker taking care, doing the coaching he is good at and letting lunacy rage if it will. "A special day, special result, special performance," he said, hitting the mark as precisely as his buoyant team. In nine games they have won as many as they did under three managers last season and one of those was on his stand-in watch.

Kevin Nolan, free of ankle problems that reduced his effectiveness then, was his former Bolton self, playing off two tall, young tearaways up front with a poacher's eye that brought him a superb hat-trick a near-post header to a free-kick; a run and clinical finish; and a nod-in from Nile Ranger, one of those front two and cunning as a crocodile. Ryan Taylor, twice a wide provider, scored the third with a free-kick. Even without their toxic asset Joey Barton Newcastle, with Nicky Butt and Alan Smith, have classy experience in midfield that Ipswich have nowhere.

"Basic defensive stuff," said Roy Keane, blaming a back four too committed on the ground and not enough in the air. Mick Mills, Kevin Beattie and John Wark were in the stand. Ipswich could have done with their moustaches. Keane has declared interest in Sol Campbell, lately in and out of Notts County, but there may be a problem with contracts. Allegedly he already has one more than he should. "It's a long shot," said Keane. Ipswich did not manage a shot of any length for 70 minutes. Lady Elsie's scissors had more cutting edge. The embroidery was all on their shirts.

There were special scarves, too, the ultimate garment of football allegiance. These were divided laterally one end Ipswich, the other Newcastle with profits going also to the foundation. The clubs will be forever bound in privilege. But at the present rate of striking they are pulling in opposite directions.

Jeremy Alexander (guardian.co.uk)