After 16-year-old Joe Bartley had set the tone for a huge evening with a spine-tingling electric guitar performance of Local Hero on the pitch, to the backdrop of a stunning Wor Flags display in the stands, Yoane Wissa was presented with a great opportunity to open the scoring inside the opening five minutes.
Anthony Gordon spread play to Jacob Murphy on the right and the long-serving winger slid the ball in first time to Wissa. He steadied himself, but could only fire off target at the Leazes End.
Then an inswinging Gordon cross from the left was met by Joelinton, but the Brazilian couldn't direct his header towards goal.
And that was as clear-cut as it got in the first half of an intriguing game lacking so far in goalmouth action.
An injury to Murphy saw him come off in first-half stoppage time and replaced by Harvey Barnes.
Eddie Howe made seven changes to his starting XI as Nick Pope, Lewis Hall, Joelinton, Bruno Guimarães, Lewis Miley, Murphy and Anthony Gordon came in for Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock, Barnes and Nick Woltemade.
Sven Botman started after celebrating his 26th birthday by signing a new long-term contract with the Magpies on Monday.
**Newcastle United:** Nick Pope, Lewis Hall, Sven Botman, Joelinton, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon, Malick Thiaw, Jacob Murphy (Harvey Barnes 45+1), Bruno Guimarães (c), Jacob Ramsey, Lewis Miley
**Subs not used:** Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Trippier, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Joe Willock, Alex Murphy, Sean Neave