11 mins Just as the travelling supporters up on Level Seven were launching into their first mass rendition of "there's only one Keano", Obafemi Martins silenced them by taking Solano's pullback and coverting a low right-footed at the Leazes End.

The move had begun down the right with Carr feeding Solano then moving forward for the return before being tackled, with the ball then running free to the lurking Peruvian on the right hand side of the area 1-0

30 mins Geremi's ball from the centre found Milner out on the left, who hadn't really featured in the game before this point. He cut back to avoid two defenders on the left hand side of the box and arced in a through ball for the onside Albert Luque to volley in, with via the keeper's legs.

The Spaniard that paused momentarily as if bewildered - we're not sure whether he was waiting for a free kick to be awarded against him or he'd simply forgotten what to do next... 2-0

42 mins Solano again was instrumental in the buildup, taking a pass from Martins out on the right and having plenty of time sweep in an inviting cross to the far post. 

Albert Luque had gone beyond his marker and tipped it home from six yards under the 'keeper. Slightly more meaningful celebrations followed this time, as he jogged towards the North West corner flag and gave a small bow to the home fans. 3-0

Half time: Newcastle 3 Celtic 0

72 mins Substitute David Edgar had barely taken to the field before Scott Brown rose above him to head home McGeady's dinked ball.  3-1

91 mins Steve Harper's layoff allowed Charles N'Zogbia to set off upfield before slipping the ball to James Milner, who turned inside and shot low and true into the corner of the Gallowgate goal to round things off nicely. 4-1

On the face of it, this was a morale-boosting home win and successful induction to SJP for Chairman Chris Mort and Manager Sam Allardyce.

As ever though, tragedy and misfortune lurk behind every corner for this club as we contrived to end the evening with ten players on the field - one of them being Steve Harper, making an unexpected bow in the new blue second strip as an outfield substitute.

On a fine Tyneside night Newcastle kicked off attacking the Leazes End and took the lead through Martins, after the visitors had exposed Carr at right back only for Zurawski to be foiled by Given.

Solano's centre from the right on 11 minutes fell at the feet of the Nigerian striker and he cracked the ball past Boric with the minimum of fuss.

A second goal came on the half hour, with Luque finishing well to volley home Milner's left wing cross - in stark contrast to his earlier goal effort from a free kick, bizarrely blasted across the field into the Milburn Stand for a throw in - prompting thoughts that he'd been in pre-season with the Falcons.....

And with Celtic continuing to make inroads into our penalty area but proving incapable of testing Given - save for one McGeady piledriver - United added a third before the interval.

Solano again worked the opening down the right and his swooping cross to the far post was met perfectly by Luque from close range, for what could have been his hat trick - had he kept an effort down that fizzed over the bar just moments earlier.

Three goals without reply at the interval and the team left the field to generous applause, after putting together some attractive passing moves and finding welcome form in front of goal.

A bevy of changes at half time made for a slow start to the second half, with only a blocked effort from Carroll and a Milner effort from distance to distract attention from the cheering throng of green and whites in Level Seven - intent on partying regardless of their side's failings.

They did get a goal back when former Hibernian midfielder Scott Brown headed home a McGeady cross and caused one or two anxious moments in the Newcastle box, before Milner slammed home a low drive to complete the scoring in added time.

By then though the football match had become a pantomime, with two separate pitch invasions by Celtic loons and further injury blows for Allardyce's men. We can confirm that the first pair who emerged from the Milburn stand were not Lee and Barton.....

First Nicky Butt limped from the field and headed straight down the tunnel on 75 minutes, reducing us to ten men with all outfield substitutes utilised.

That situation was then rectified five minutes later as goalkeeper Steve Harper emerged clad in outfield kit and his own squad number 13, to join Andy Carroll upfield amid much applause.

Our lack of depth was then exacerbated in the dying moments as Steven Taylor picked up a knock and was beckoned off the field by Allardyce, leaving us down to ten men and denying the chance to see three goalkeepers on the field - Tim Krul being our other sub.

We got through to the final whistle with no further incident, although Harper played his part in the move that led to the fourth goal and the mass strip swap after the final whistle revealed that our lot were again wearing heart monitors.

For the supporters, including those who made their debut at SJP via the U11s free entry scheme a memorable and entertaining night.  

Much though for Allardyce to ponder from his seat in the Directors box alongside Chris Mort - with the manager possibly reflecting that his recruitment efforts could have been aided by a less favourable scoreline.

While the Chairman will be pleased with the outcome, he can have been left in no doubt by Sam as to the squad deficiencies which are becoming increasingly evident as the season approaches.

Save for the "unavailable" Dyer, this was the sum total of our fit first team squad, featuring as it did a trio of reserve central defenders plus squad players Pattison, Carroll and Troisi.

As for Luque though, married life seems to be suiting him so far, with this rhapsody in blueas good as anything he's produced at the club. 

But while it's tempting to draw a parallel with Nicky Butt's rebirth 12 months ago - scores two goals in a pre-season home game and turns jeers to cheers as his career here does a U turn - we're not cracking open the Sangria and San Miguels just yet.  

Where the Spaniard is concerned there have been previous new beginnings that quickly petered out - such as the goals he scored this time last year in both Intertoto and League Cup and of course the Miracle of Palermo.

It's never dull here....