Matthias Jaissle marked his first match as Newcastle manager with a 2-1 pre-season comeback victory at Valencia, with substitute Yoane Wissa scoring twice to overturn a first-half deficit at Mestalla. The win came despite the early exit of Anthony Elanga, who was stretchered off following a red-card challenge from Valencia captain Jose Gaya.

A new shape for Newcastle

Jaissle moved away from Eddie Howe's preferred 4-3-3 by deploying a 4-2-3-1, which allowed him to fit four attackers into the starting line-up: Will Osula, Nick Woltemade, Harvey Barnes, and Elanga. Woltemade was given the No 10 role — a position many had pushed for — but struggled to make an impact, looking off the pace and losing possession too frequently.

Despite those difficulties, the formation allowed Jaissle to utilise his squad's attacking depth, and he appears intent on persisting with the system. A switch to 4-3-3 remains available as an alternative should he need it.

Elanga's scare

Elanga had been one of the brightest players on the pitch in the opening half-hour, carrying the momentum of a strong World Cup campaign with Sweden, before Gaya's lunging challenge cut his evening short. The Valencia skipper was dismissed for the tackle, which Jaissle described as shocking — particularly for a pre-season friendly.

The post-match update was, however, a relief. Jaissle confirmed the winger appears to have suffered a dead leg and heavy bruising rather than anything more serious, calling the outcome a blessing. If Elanga can recapture that early-match sharpness for the season proper, Newcastle will begin recovering some of the £55 million spent on the former Manchester United winger last summer.

Debut impressions

Three of Newcastle's five summer signings — Lukas Hornicek, Aladji Bamba, and Bazou Toure — made their debuts. Bamba, 20, showed physicality and composure in tight areas over the first 45 minutes, despite a couple of wayward passes. He was replaced at half-time by fellow newcomer Sean Steur, who has been the standout performer across pre-season. The Dutchman pressed with intensity and distributed the ball with confidence, playing a significant role in the comeback. It remains to be seen which of the two starts first, though both are unlikely to feature together from the off. When the Premier League season opens against Liverpool, Jacob Ramsey, Lewis Miley, and/or Joelinton are expected to line up in midfield.

Toure, who joined for £40 million, came on at the interval and delivered the pass that set up Wissa's second goal. Raw and unpredictable, he is the kind of wide player who could unsettle defences through sheer anonymity — and he earned glowing praise from travelling Newcastle supporters. Hornicek, meanwhile, produced a composed display in goal and is expected to challenge Nick Pope for the No 1 shirt based on Jaissle's comments post-match.

Wissa leads the fightback

Wissa's brace was the highlight of the evening. The DR Congo forward — who scored three times at the World Cup — carried that momentum into Mestalla, looking sharp, hungry, and confident in front of goal.

Many Newcastle supporters have been calling for a striker signing this summer, but if Wissa sustains this form, the need becomes less urgent. Newcastle are not understood to be targeting a striker in this window unless they sell one, which appears unlikely. Wissa scored 19 league goals for Brentford two seasons ago before his move to Newcastle, where a serious knee injury — sustained before he had even played for the club — derailed his debut campaign entirely. He now has the opportunity to show what he is capable of, and the early evidence is encouraging. Jaissle would do well to start the season with Wissa as his central striker.

What comes next

Jaissle acknowledged after the match that his squad is still not complete. Newcastle are expected to sign up to three more players before the transfer window closes, with full-back cover a clear priority — Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento were both absent in Valencia, leaving the team dangerously thin in wide defensive positions.

The club have also been linked with Marseille midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in a deal worth around £15 million. While not the marquee signing supporters had hoped for following the departure of Bruno Guimaraes, Hojbjerg's 97 Denmark caps and eight years of Premier League experience could provide the steadying influence required for younger players. A right winger remains another area of interest, with Jacob Murphy currently the only recognised option in that position. Three weeks of the window remain — and last night's performance at Mestalla will have done nothing to dampen optimism at Newcastle.