Newcastle United laid down an early marker in the battle of two teams looking for a top-four finish with a resounding 5-1 win over Aston Villa, thanks to a brace from Alexander Isak.
The two teams had shared an exciting 3-3 draw in the Summer Series earlier this month in Philadelphia and got off to an electric start at St James’ Park.
Sandro Tonali, who had a superb match, put Newcastle ahead, spectacularly converting Anthony Gordon’s cross on six minutes.
But five minutes later, Moussa Diaby put Villa level, converting Ollie Watkins’ flick-on from close range.
It was the earliest that two debutants had scored in the same match in Premier League history.
The intensity did not let up as Isak restored Newcastle’s lead after Sven Botman had diverted a free-kick into the Swede’s path in the 16th minute.
Things got worse for Villa when Tyrone Mings had to go off in the first half with a serious-looking knee injury.
See: Emery fears 'important' injury to Mings
Thirteen minutes into the second half Isak got his second with an innovative finish. He caught Ezri Konsa in possession inside his own area and superbly chipped the ball over the back-pedalling Pau Torres, who was Mings's replacement.
Villa wilted and Isak had a chance to complete his first Premier League hat-trick a minute later but could shoot only at Emiliano Martinez in the Villa goal.
The fourth goal did come for Newcastle, but through Isak’s replacement, Callum Wilson, who was set up by debutant Harvey Barnes.
Wilson has now scored on the opening weekend in each of the last four Premier League seasons, with only Mohamed Salah ever doing so in more consecutive campaigns, with six since 2017/18.
Newcastle were rampant, with Wilson having a glorious chance for a second denied by Martinez before another shot was cleared off Villa’s line.
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Barnes got a goal to reward his impressive debut off the bench as he exploited Villa’s high line, latching on to Jacob Murphy’s through-ball before slotting past Martinez in stoppage time.
Newcastle’s biggest opening-day win in 21 years means they end the day top of the Premier League table for the first time since 13 August 2007.
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