Yoane Wissa came off the bench to score twice as Newcastle came from behind to beat Valencia 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at the Mestalla, handing new head coach Matthias Jaissle a winning debut on Saturday.

The result was overshadowed for long spells by a troubling moment early in the match — a reckless challenge from Valencia's Jose Gaya on Anthony Elanga that earned Gaya a red card and left the Newcastle winger stretchered from the pitch in the first half. Players from both sides confronted each other in the aftermath of the tackle.

Fortunately, the injury proved less serious than it first appeared. Elanga, who plays for Sweden internationally, was later seen up and walking, having suffered a contusion to the shin.

Nightmare start, bright finish

Valencia had taken the lead through a stunning Filip Ugrinic strike in the 5th minute, and with Elanga's early exit compounding Jaissle's troubles, it seemed the new head coach's opening night would be one to forget.

However, Jaissle's half-time substitutions changed the shape of the contest. New signings Bazoumana Toure and Sean Steur both made strong impressions after coming on.

The turnaround began in the 52nd minute when Wissa capitalised on a defensive error by Valencia to pull the sides level. He completed the comeback 24 minutes later, converting a tap-in after Toure burst beyond the Valencia defence and produced a selfless cutback.

Toure nearly added a second assist late on after more enterprising work down the left flank, but Jacob Murphy was unable to keep his cross out of touch in stoppage time.

Relief and concern for Newcastle

The victory provided some welcome relief for Newcastle on a difficult day — the club confirmed separately that captain Bruno Guimaraes had departed for Arsenal.

Jaissle's side will face their next pre-season challenge on Wednesday, when they take on Everton at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.