A long way to go but still a great start!

COMETH the need cometh the new man, head and shoulders above the rest. Literally.

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Nick Woltemade stretched his 6ft 6in frame upwards and sideways to head home Newcastle's first winner of the season to bring three points and much relief.

The German was imported at a club record fee for just such occasions, and though he disappeared long before full-time his impact was considerable.

I was sitting next to a Newcastle No.9 legend, the first time we had been together in the SJP Press box for over a year since Malcolm Macdonald first suffered mishap more accustomed to older age than football injury.

SuperMac's old shirt was not in residence with Yoane Wissa sadly hurt, but we were witnessing United's new potential messiah leading the line and filling a hole previously rendered barren. Was MM impressed?

"Oh, I have no doubts about him," SuperMac told me. "He is essentially a ball player but he'll get in the box and we haven't had a player who does that in the last three matches. And his goal was a great header.

"I can see him forming a good understanding with Jacob Murphy who will feed him. I loved wingers like Murphy who create a centre-forward chances.