The NUFC debuts that were tinged with a touch of gold
MATTY Longstaff’s goal against Manchester United has propelled him into a very unique club at Newcastle United.
The 19-year-old’s winner made him the youngest United debutant to score at St James’ Park in the Premier League era.
Only seven other Magpies players have had the honour of scoring on Tyneside on their full debut. Here is that elusive list of scorers:
ALEX MATHIE V SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY – SEPTEMBER 1993
The Scot was an unknown when Kevin Keegan signed him from Morton but in an enthralling contest, which United won 4-2, Mathie came on to scoop the ball over England keeper Chris Woods.
LES FERDINAND V COVENTRY CITY – AUGUST 1995
Tyneside was already at fever pitch, with United 2-0 up against the Sky Blues in a season in which Kevin Keegan felt he had assembled a title-winning side.
But the roof came off with seven minutes left as Les Ferdinand swerved round the goalkeeper and tapped into the net. The new No 9 had arrived – and done so in style.
STEPHANE GUIVARC’H V LIVERPOOL – AUGUST 1998
Not all debut goals are the start of something special at Newcastle. Just ask this World Cup winner.
The French striker had hoisted the trophy in Paris just weeks earlier but struggled at United.
Signed by Kenny Dalglish, the exAuxerre ace managed a strike on his debut against Liverpool – his only goal for the Magpies as a hattrick from Michael Owen helped the visitors to a 4-1 win.
DUNCAN FERGUSON V WIMBLEDON – NOVEMBER
1998
Everton selling Ferguson broke hearts on Merseyside but he didn’t take long to get into the swing of things at St James’ Park, with two goals on his debut.
Ferguson was a fan favourite but his Magpies stint was hindered by injuries.
XISCO V HULL CITY – SEPTEMBER 2008
The Spaniard’s arrival at Newcastle United effectively sparked Kevin Keegan’s departure as manager.
Signed by Dennis Wise from Deportivo La Coruna for £5.7m, the striker’s goalscoring start proved to be the highlight of an costly and unhappy five-year stint. To make it worse, his goal was only a consolation in a 2-1 loss to Hull City.
PAPISS CISSE V ASTON VILLA – FEBRUARY 2012
Cisse came off the bench and scored a wonderful half-volley that flew into the top corner after Jonas Gutierrez’s cross at the Gallowgate End. It would be the first of 44 goals in four years at Newcastle.
GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM V SOUTHAMPTON – AUGUST 2015
The Dutchman popped up with a goal on his debut against the Saints.
He took the Magpies to a 2-1 lead before they spluttered to a 2-2 draw in Steve McClaren’s first match at St James’ Park.