Newcastle United 2-2 Southampton - Wijnaldum Nets But Is Denied Dream Debut By Long's Header

Georginio Wijnaldum was denied a dream debut as Southampton came from behind to break Newcastle United hearts and draw 2-2 at St James' Park. Steve McClaren's first game in charge of the Magpies in the Barclays Premier League was a very-entertaining affair, but unfortunately his side could only deliver him a point. All-too-familiar defensive deficiencies saw Newcastle concede from a Graziano Pelle header, before goals from Papiss Cisse and debutant Wijnaldum put the Magpies in front. However, 10 minutes from the end, Shane Long again exploited the Magpies' poor defence to nod in a Saints equaliser and rob both Wijnaldum and McClaren of a victory on their respective Newcastle bows.

McClaren's first NUFC Premier League teamsheet saw Chancel Mbemba handed a debut at centre-back, while Wijnaldum also started for the first time. Aleksandar Mitrovic was left on the bench in favour of Cisse, while neither Mike Williamson nor Yoan Gouffran were even in the matchday squad. Once the St James' Park crowd had welcomed the players on to the pitch - with noise not heard at this famous stadium with enough regularity over the past 18 months - a frantic opening two minutes ensued. Gabriel Obertan won a foul down the left for Newcastle and, from the resulting free-kick, Wijnaldum whipped the ball in low - only for Steven Davis almost to head into his own net. Maarten Stekelenburg was able to save it low, however. Then, just five minutes later, Wijnaldum could and should have scored a debut goal for the Magpies. After brilliant work from Moussa Sissoko down the right, the Frenchman played it back to Wijnaldum, whose shot from the edge of the area was well blocked by Davis. It took until the 15-minute mark for Southampton to threaten for the first time. Cedric Soares got in behind Fabricio Coloccini down the right and then smashed a shot from close range at Tim Krul, who did excellently to tip it over. Newcastle responded immediately, and Cisse saw an effort curl straight into Stekelenburg's midriff from 25 yards. After both sets of supporters once again stood and applauded the late Liam Sweeney and John Alder in the 17th minute, Newcastle fans were then angered as Soares - who had already been booked - pulled down Massadio Haidara on the left, but no card was produced by referee Craig Pawson.

And, from Wijnaldum's free-kick, Coloccini controlled the ball in the box, flicked it over one defender and then apparently on to Soares' arm, although Pawson was unmoved. Not long after, in the 25th minute, Newcastle then found themselves behind - and it was the same old problems afflicting them once more. Soares, who arguably should have been dismissed moments earlier, whipped in a dangerous ball to Pelle, who leaped higher than Mbemba to head home. Krul got a hand to it, but he couldn't keep it out. Mbemba's lack of height worked against him, and Pelle had yet another goal against Newcastle. The opening goal brought McClaren to life as well, with the Magpies head coach leaving the directors' box to head straight for the touchline, where he spent the rest of the first-half urging his team forward. McClaren was visibly frustrated when Newcastle were denied a penalty once more as the ball appeared to strike Jay Rodriguez's arm in the box, and then when Cisse went down a few minutes later. After narrowly avoiding going 2-0 down - when Rodriguez planted an unmarked header wide of Krul's post - Newcastle then lifted the St James' Park crowd to their feet with an equaliser. Jack Colback played a corner short, the ball was crossed in and - after deflecting off Victor Wanyama - Stekelenburg flapped and missed the ball, so Cisse chested it home. It was nothing more than NUFC deserved for their first-half display. The action continued as soon as the second-half started as well. First, Maya Yoshida saw his header tipped wide by Krul when the Japanese defender should have scored - and then moments later Newcastle were ahead. Attacking straight up the other end of the field, Obertan delivered a delicious ball to Wijnaldum, who rose above Wanyama to nod home his debut goal in a black-and-white shirt. It was a brilliant finish, and brought a bellowing roar from the home crowd. With Southampton struggling to find their rhythm after Wijnaldum's goal, Saido Mane tried to take the game by the scruff of the neck by advancing past Colback, only for the Newcastle midfielder to manhandle him and rightly find himself in the notebook. Then, not long after the hour mark, it was Mane again causing Newcastle problems. Attacking down the left, the Saints midfielder headed into the penalty area but saw his shot saved well by Krul, who narrowed the angle well. Unfortunately for Vurnon Anita, he was forced off on a stretcher in the 68th minute after a nasty clash with Mane, and Cheick Tiote came on to replace the Dutchman. It was Tiote's first appearance since the embarrassing 1-0 FA Cup loss at Leicester City in January. Mane continued to cause Newcastle problems, and he hit the post in the 71st minute - even if it was ruled out for offside - after getting in behind the Magpies defence once more. Pelle then smashed a shot into the Newcastle sidenetting as the Magpies struggled to see out the game. In the 75th minute, Mitrovic replaced Cisse - who received a standing ovation - and just 12 seconds into his Newcastle debut the Serbian was booked for a foul on Matt Targett. Incredible really. Unfortunately, just four minutes later, substitute Shane Long brought Southampton level. Once more Newcastle could not defend a floated cross, and Long jumped highest to power a header past Krul. The same old problems are still there for Newcastle, and they are yet to be addressed. Wijnaldum received a standing ovation as he was replaced by Siem de Jong with 10 minutes to go, but it was not to be his dream debut - even if he did bag a goal. Three points would have made it all the more sweeter. Mane could have stolen it for the Saints twice in injury-time though, but for a brilliant last-gasp challenge from Colback for one attempt, so Newcastle had to take the positives from the game. The lack of pre-season football was evident with Coloccini, Mbemba and Tiote, as all three tired in injury-time. Yet the signs were certainly positive in attack for Newcastle - even if the same old problems keep coming back to haunt them, as all Toon fans so desperately feared they would.

Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Krul; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Haidara; Anita (Tiote 68), Colback; Sissoko, Wijnaldum (De Jong 81), Obertan; Cisse (Mitrovic 75) Subs Not Used: Darlow, Taylor, Aarons, Perez Goals: Cisse (43), Wijnaldum (48) Booked: Colback, Mitrovic Southampton (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg; Soares (Martina 47), Fonte, Yoshida, Targett; Wanyama, Davis; Tadic, Mane, Rodriguez (Long 66); Pelle Subs Not Used: Gazzaniga, Ward-Prowse, Reed, Juanmi, Caulker Goals: Pelle (25), Long (79) Booked: Soares, Fonte, Davis, Pelle Referee: Craig Pawson Attendance: 49,710For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.