A lot can change in two and a half weeks.
Eddie Howe was the first to admit he was not doing his job "well enough" after his side were defeated in their last game on home soil earlier this month.
Newcastle were booed off by a section of supporters following a bruising 3-2 loss against Brentford at St James' Park.
But this side have responded - and how - since then with four wins in five matches.
No wonder, then, the home support unfurled a tifo of Howe in the Leazes End before kick-off.
A buoyant Newcastle raced out of the blocks - but such are the standards Howe has set that he was not completely satisfied even after his side took such an early lead and urged them to win the ball back quicker.
You suspect Howe was not best pleased when Qarabag went on to pull one back. Nor was Kieran Trippier for that matter, who launched the ball back into the centre circle after his side were denied a clean sheet on the night.
But this was a dominant aggregate victory as Newcastle broke a club record by winning six Champions League games in a single campaign for the first time.
They have reached the last 16 for only the second time, previously getting to the second group stage in 2003.
A big test awaits in the next round, but supporters are daring to dream.
"Is this the way to Barcelona?" they repeatedly sang. "Bayern Munich? Lazio? Roma? Geordie boys are taking over – Champions League awaits for me!"