Gateshead 0-1 Newcastle United - Cisse's Strike Gives Magpies Win

This is the new Newcastle United. Steve McClaren is at the helm, Ian Cathro et al are in his backroom staff, and Georginio Wijnaldum is set to become the club's new prize midfielder - oh, and they have won a football match without every really looking troubled, something they simply couldn't do during John Carver's hapless reign. Yes this was "only Gateshead" - who were dogged without the ball, if hardly threatening with it - at the International Stadium and the scoreline was a paltry 1-0 but the Magpies can only be judged game by game for now, and it was a beginning that showed glimpses towards a brave new dawn for Newcastle United Football Club. Papiss Cisse's expert penalty and general all-round impressive play may make the Magpies think twice before trying to offload their forward this summer, even with Aleksandar Mitrovic likely to be added to the squad soon, and it was the Senegalese's strike that set Newcastle on their way to a comfortable if unspectacular victory just over the River Tyne. Both sets of players may have been forgiven for thinking they were playing in the south of France and not just a stone's throw from St James' Park, such was the sweltering and humid heat in which the sides ran out on to the field. And it took the Magpies just two minutes to threaten for the first time during McClaren's tenure, with Massadio Haidara bursting down the left and crossing expertly for Siem de Jong, who nodded over. Then, after just five minutes, Haidara broke into the box and was recklessly upended by Gateshead full-back Simon Ramsden. Referee Geoff Eltringham pointed to the spot, and Cisse expertly dispatched the spot-kick into the right-hand corner of the net.

The 4-2-3-1 formation by which the Magpies lined up may not have been new, but Cathro's impact was evident from the get-go - with the centre-backs splitting, and Karl Darlow on debut encouraged to pass the ball out to his full-backs. A determination to play pass-and-move football and to press high up the field was also present throughout - something quite revolutionary with this Newcastle side. In fact, Jack Colback - who controlled the game brilliantly in the first-half - sent Haidara clear down the right after some of the aforementioned neat football in the 15th minute, and his brilliant cross was once again nodded over by De Jong.

The re-energised figure of Cisse continued to run the game, and after 32 minutes he brilliantly backheeled the ball to Moussa Sissoko, whose first shot was parried well by Sam Russell, and then the Frenchman somehow managed to put his rebound over despite having an open goal to aim at. It took until the 40th minute for the home side to register a shot, and that was via a 30-yard free-kick that sailed miles over after it left the boot of James Marwood. Before half-time, Newcastle threatened once more through Cisse, who tried an outrageous overhead kick that went straight into Russell's hands. After the break, Newcastle changed their entire XI, and, immediately after coming on, Adam Armstrong flashed a shot wide, before Emmanuel Riviere saw his effort deflected past the Heed post by a sliding challenge from the Gateshead defenders. The presence of Rolando Aarons on the field for the second 45 minutes was welcomed by Newcastle fans, such is the excitement he brings. Ayoze Perez, interestingly, was deployed in a deeper role, almost as an extra midfielder - with Armstrong and Riviere further ahead, then Aarons and Gabriel Obertan out wide. It was almost a 4-2-4 formation at times during the second 45, displaying the fluidity with which the Magpies hope to play going forward. And, on the hour mark, Riviere, who was quietly impressive, was unselfish as he squared the ball to Aarons with only the keeper to beat - but Aarons' shot was blocked by substitute stopper Shaun MacDonald and forced out for a corner.

Gateshead's best chance came after 23 minutes, when Gael Bigirimana - yes he still plays for Newcastle - was caught out of position as he covered in at full-back and gave away a free-kick, which Marwood curled straight into 18-year-old Freddie Woodman's hands. Aarons continued to look the most lively for the Magpies as the second-half wore on, marauding down both the left and right, but Newcastle looked content with a slender victory. Riviere once more appeared good in possession and when holding up the ball, yet simply unable to hit the target - something that we have become far-too accustomed to. Newcastle could and should have won 2-0, with Armstrong robbing MacDonald of possession, only to scuff his shot into the turf and it come up agonisingly short of the goal - but it was not to be for the Geordie youngster. This was not spectacular by the Magpies, far from it, but there were signs that change is in the air. McClaren and Cathro have only had their hands on this lot for a week-and-a-half - but already the attempted style changes are apparent and they are certainly positive. Newcastle depart for the USA this weekend, hopefully with both Wijnaldum (who will be confirmed imminently) and Mitrovic in tow - and looking to continue their encouraging start to this brave new post-Carver era. Gateshead: Russell (MacDonald 46); Ramsden (Baxter 46), Curtis (Buddle 46), Clark, Pattison (Morse); Gillies (Kanda 66), Ramshaw (McLaughlin 57), Chandler (Briggs 74), Phillips (Allen 57), Marwood (Hailes 78); Shaw (Howe 46) Subs Not Used: Perry Newcastle United: Darlow (Woodman 46); Janmaat (Bigirmana 46), Haidara (Ferguson 46), Lascelles (Good 46), Williamson (Satka 46); Anita (Tiote 46), Colback (Obertan 46); Gouffran (Aarons 46), De Jong (Perez 46), Sissoko (Riviere 46); Cisse (Armstrong 46) Goal: Cisse (pen, 6)For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.