Newcastle was held for a 2-2 draw by Espanyol after within two minutes after a first victory for the season.
Fresh from their tour through the Far East, the magpies were startled at home after Edu exhibito gave visitors an early lead.
However, the hosts immediately responded via Matt Targett and saw in to claim the victory they were looking for when Jacob Murphy placed them less than 15 minutes of the time before the front.
In the end it would not be if former Middlesbrough striker Kike Garcia appeared to have a late equalizer for Javi Chica's side.
Daily Mail Sport Chief Football Reporter, Craig Hope, was in St James' Park, and here are five take-aways …
Ramsdale makes his business
There was an assumption that Nick Pope would start the season # 1 of Newcastle. Aaron Ramsdale does not seem willing to accept that opportunity. The Southampton loan made his debut here in Newcastle and saved a fine from the first half when he was low in his rights to keep Javier Puado's efforts out.
The goals that the Spaniards scored were hardly unstoppable, even with Ramsdale and Pope between the posts. The hit of EDU exhibition of 25 Yards was fast, accurate and bend away from the goalkeeper from the moment he left his boot, while Kike Garcia's Late Header was flashed home from close up.
But Ramsdale looked insured, with both hands and feet. He will support himself to take the start jersey – even if he did not harm him in that respect over time. He looks like he has a cheeky confidence that the Geordies will also like.
Magpies need a break
Another game for the season and a fifth without a victory for Newcastle. These results are not important, the majority say. But when you have taken the abuse that Newcastle has this summer, the optics of a victory cannot be underestimated.
They came within two minutes after they got it and that would have felt like light lighting in the midst of the off-field sounds that continue to dominate everything they have done from a football perspective in recent weeks. They now need so much, now on or next to the field.
Striker -search assignment is approaching the completion
There is a renewed hope for a breakthrough in the transfer early next week, with the proposed move from Yoane Wissa to Tyneside that is getting closer. It feels like inching, since this deal has been in the making for more than two weeks.
Brentford must find a replacement for the attacker and are in conversation to sign Dango Ouattara van Bournemouth. If this progresses during the weekend, discussions will resume around a 35 million package for Wissa. His representatives flew to London to supervise the deal.
Elsewhere on the incoming front, Milan defender Malick Thiaw is the only other player to be actively pursued. This after a day of wild rumor around the transfer activity of the club, which described some sources as 'absolute nonsense'.
It should also be noted that there was no sign of Alexander Isak in St James' Park, with Eddie Howe only the Wil-Away Swede of First-Team Training this week.
Targett's moved evening
Matt Targett had an eventful night. On the subject of Wild Rumor, a post on social media that claimed that he had been left behind by the club in the Far East, was a mention of TV reporting of this game.
He then gave the ball away for the opener of Espanyol, led the equalizer in the goal after arrival and admitted the fine that was saved by Ramsdale. He did all this as he operated in midfield, that is the shortage of Newcastle of figures in that department.
The left side was moved to his favorite position after the break, but the probability remains that he will struggle for game-time this season, especially because this match marked the return of Lewis Hall, the England left behind who missed the last months of last season with a foot injury.
Park sets up St James'
Seung-Sooo Park got his home debut after impression on the Tour Far East, and the 18-year-old was again the most exciting thing about Newcastle in the future. The end product was not there, but the speed, skills and courage were.
Park has, just like his South Korean countryman Seung-Min, a great ability to go, stop and go again, leaving defenders behind. He did that here a few times and every time it took the home fans out of their seats.
You can see why Howe wants to keep him in the first team during the preseason, when the plan was originally for him to spend time with the minor groups. A rare beam of light for the magpies this summer.