Newcastle United beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at St James' Park to start the Premier League season in style with fans sent home delighted with the overall display.
Eddie Howe started with a 4-3-3 formation and his team stayed on the front-foot for the entire game even late on as they looked to add more gloss to the scoreline. United weren't under any major pressure from their fanbase with the delirium of new owners and admiration for Howe still clear but there was definitely a need for three points against Forest.
With games against Man City and Liverpool later this month and a tough trip to Wolverhampton to come after next weekend's clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, seven to nine points will represent a good start from the opening five matches. Anything more would be spectacular but after match day one, it's definitely a case of so far, so good.
READ MORE: Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest player ratings as Fabian Schar, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton shine
Howe's call on Sven Botman looks like a great decision
Howe had referenced Bruno Guimaraes' gradual progress from late substitute to a regular started in his pre-match Press conference. Yet few expected him to leave the £34million man on the bench.
Botman will have mixed feelings over missing out on a place in the starting line-up especially if he is thrown in at the deep end against Man City or Liverpool without getting a feel of things from the start. But after the game against Forest nobody can argue with Howe's choice to start with Fabian Schar and Dan Burn.
Schar's screamer sparked the new season into life while Burn was a towering presence at the back and looked unplayable at times. With Jamaal Lascelles limping off in the warm-up with an injury, Schar and Burn's partnership is now theirs to lose.
Newcastle hierarchy treat every win as important - as directors visit the locker room
Last season Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley made a habit of passing on congratulations to the squad and backroom staff after the game.
During the Mike Ashley era, there was an air of novelty about the owner's appearance as he'd turn up for the season opener or curtain closer and rarely in between. The Ashley era is well and truly over now at St James' Park and the only trace of his time as owner is an old picture in the Press room that shows the ground with Sports Direct signs around it.
The Ripon financier sums up the passion that the current ownership model have though and was there to roar the Magpies to an opening day win. Newcastle director Majed Al Sorour along with David and Simon Reuben also watched on with the Saudi golf supremo also making a visit to the dressing room area after the game.
Callum Wilson's opening day record is impressive as he notches again
Wilson's debut against West Ham two years ago came with a well taken goal at the London Stadium on opening night. He was then at it again with a strike against the Hammers last term in a 4-2 defeat.
His record was maintained when he looped home a quality strike against Forest and he now stands just one goal short of opening day goals behind none other than Alan Shearer. Wilson's goal tally for Newcastle is now 20 goals in just 39 starts.
For all the talk of signing a new centre-forward, Wilson is the main man when it comes to goals at the club and remains a key player ahead of another campaign.
READ NEXT
Newcastle 2-0 Nottingham Forest as Fabian Schar and Callum Wilson goals seal dominant victory
Callum Wilson makes England World Cup claim amid 'disappointment' despite Newcastle win
Newcastle United 2-0 Nottingham Forest highlights and reaction as Schar and Wilson seal win
Newcastle United transfer news LIVE: Kamaldeen Sulemana latest and Eddie Howe deal
Wor Flags see in new season at Newcastle United with superb 'feeling good' display at St James' Park
