Given the city’s reputation as the cheese-making capital of the Netherlands, perhaps it is natural that Alkmaar’s team should be so full of holes. On a night that baffled the brain as much as it stirred the blood at St James’ Park, Newcastle United scored four times against a side who besmirched the reputation of Louis van Gaal as a tactical genius.

Quite where the balance of power lies in this round of 16 tie is uncertain, however. While AZ Alkmaar were poor, two away goals — the latter a second-half penalty — will not leave Newcastle free of nerves during next week’s return leg. Alkmaar have not been beaten at home in European competition for 28 years and a 2-0 win would be good enough for them to reach the quarter- finals.

“We came out of the blocks very quickly and we did damage with our pace up front, but we realise that the tie is now well poised,” Kieron Dyer, the Newcastle midfield player, said. “It could go either way with their away goals, but I think we have enough to frighten them.”

Emre Belözoglu, who has been charged with using racially aggravated language by the FA, made his first appearance — as a substitute — since New Year’s Day, but any controversy was lost amid the mayhem that lingered from a breathless first half.

Five goals peppered the opening period and if there was scope for any disappointment, it was only that Newcastle could not muster more. Some of their early play nudged the total football that Van Gaal, the Alkmaar coach — as well as the watching Steve McClaren — would admire. Obafemi Martins struck twice, taking his tally to 16 goals in his debut season in English football, with Dyer and an own goal completing the frenzy.

Newcastle’s evening began with a strange kind of glory. In a ceremony that could best be described as muted, Scott Parker was presented with a plaque marking the club’s status as “winners” of the Intertoto Cup, though no final was played. Yet a much-maligned summer tournament has initiated Newcastle’s steady progress in Europe and that theme continued.

In the third minute, Alkmaar’s defences were exposed by Damien Duff’s storming run and a neat one-two with Martins, but the full breach was merely delayed. By the 23rd minute, Newcastle had a 3-0 lead and while that scoreline had been altered by half-time, their dominance had been extraordinary and total.

The goals were sublime, with even the early concession of an own goal by Grétar Steinsson, placed under pressure from Martins, concluding a move that featured a delicious back-heel by Duff and Dyer’s cross.

Delicate touches were everywhere. Machinegun passes between Nolberto Solano, Nicky Butt and a brilliant flick from Antoine Sibierski left Dyer careering forward in space, allowing the England midfield player to lift a shot above Boy Waterman for 2-0. Seconds later, Martins wriggled inside from the left, evading challenges from Kew Jaliens and Barry Opdam before shooting smartly.

It was a peculiar moment for Alkmaar to exert themselves, but their response was short-lived. Maarten Martens stung Shay Given’s palms with a firm volley — Alkmaar’s first noteworthy intervention — but it took Shota Arveladze’s unmarked header, which crossed the line via the bar, for Van Gaal to rise from his seat and pump his fists on the touchline. The former Barcelona coach was soon shaking his head in disgust, however.

While there would be another fine save from Given before half-time, repelling Danny Koevermans, Newcastle had by then re-established their supremacy. Martins was again the beneficiary, meeting Solano’s cross with a low effort into the bottom corner.

The prediction by Glenn Roeder, the Newcastle manager, that Alkmaar’s suspect defending would be ripe for exploitation was unerring. With the visiting side eschewing any pretence of damage limitation, the Dutch side hurled themselves upfield and Titus Bramble made a vital saving tackle on Koevermans.

So well-timed was Bramble’s diving challenge in the 18-yard box that he was immediately mobbed by his team-mates — Given ran 30 yards to congratulate the centre half. After the preceding chaos, the absence of further home goals was also peculiar, although Newcastle appeared content to maintain their position rather than enhance it.

That stance was understandable, but Alkmaar had been invited to try their luck. When Moussa Dembélé, the substitute, struck the ball against Steven Taylor’s hand in the 72nd minute, the award of a penalty was just, but Dembélé’s kick was typically miserable. Unfortunately for Given, who saved well, Koevermans turned in the rebound.

Newcastle United (4-4-2): S Given — N Solano, S Taylor, T Bramble, S Carr — K Dyer, S Parker, N Butt, D Duff (sub: Emre Belözoglu, 77min) — A Sibierski (sub: J Milner, 65), O Martins. Substitutes not used: S Harper, A Luque, C N’Zogbia, P Huntington, A Carroll.

AZ Alkmaar (4-4-2): B Waterman — G Steinsson, K Jaliens, B Opdam, T de Cler — J Jenner (sub: J Lens, 66), D de Zeeuw, M Martens (sub: M Dembélé, 59), N Boukhari (sub: G Luirink, 84) — D Koevermans, S Arveladze. Substitutes not used: J Bulters, S Cziommer, R Donk, R Vormer. Booked: Steinsson.

Referee: M Busacca (Switzerland).