Newcastle United and Southampton played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at St James' Park on Sunday.
In Steve McClaren's first Premier League match as Magpies manager, the home side fell behind before fighting back to take the lead early in the second half, prior to a late leveller from the Saints.
Graziano Pelle struck first for the visitors when he got on the end of an inviting right-wing cross from Cedric Soares to head home inside Tim Krul's right post in the 24th minute.
Three minutes before the break, Newcastle were back on level terms when Massadio Haidara's deflected cross from the left fell nicely for Papiss Cisse to chest home from pointblank range before the Toon went ahead soon after the re-start.
Summer signing Georginio Wijnaldum powered a fierce header past Maarten Stekelenburg after Cisse had released Gabriel Obertan down the right to give the Dutch midfielder a goal on his top flight debut.
But the joy in the Gallowgate End only lasted until the 79th minute when Southampton hit back through Shane Long who came off the bench to rise above Daryl Janmaat and head home Dusan Tadic's back post cross from the right flank.
Sadio Mane had two great chances to win it for the south coast club but was profligate at the death as the Toon held on for a first point under McClaren's rein.
MATCH OVERVIEW
Newcastle United: 2 (Papiss Cisse 42', Georginio Wijnaldum 48')
Southampton: 2 (Graziano Pelle 24', Shane Long 79')
St James' Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne - 49,019
Debutants: NEW - Chancel Mbemba, Georginio Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic (club and league), Steve McClaren (club)
SOU - Maarten Stekelenburg (league for club), Cedric Soares and Cuco Martina (league)
TALKING POINTS
- Are we set to see a new and improved Newcastle under McClaren?
- How much of an impact will reigning Dutch Player of the Year Wijnaldum have at St James' Park?
- Does Southampton have a deep enough squad to juggle domestic and European duties?
WHAT'S NEXT?
Newcastle travel to Swansea City on Saturday afternoon as Southampton get set to host Everton earlier on the same day.
TWITTER INSIGHT
Felt so good to make my debut At St. James' Park , got my first #BPL goal.
WHAT A FEELING !! #NUFC#PremierLeaguepic.twitter.com/xuIRWixLLl
— Georginio Wijnaldum (@GWijnaldum) August 9, 2015Happy the #BPL has started again.. Good point against a good team and a lot of positives to take from today #NEWSOUpic.twitter.com/NcT5Q5YgG5
— Tim Krul (@TimKrul) August 9, 2015Rewarded ourselves with just 1pnt. We deserved more however again a great team performance and happy to make my goal pic.twitter.com/SFRqTtdMzL
— Graziano Pellè (@GPelle19) August 9, 2015Disappointed not to get the 3 points today but buzzing to get a goal! #WeMarchOn#SaintsFCpic.twitter.com/yaqXmvc1op
— Shane Long (@ShaneLong7) August 9, 2015