JOE WILLOCK enjoyed a dream Newcastle United debut on Saturday as he scored the Magpies’ opening goal in their 3-2 win over Southampton.

The Arsenal loanee’s 16th-minute strike was the fastest debut goal scored by a Newcastle player in the Premier League era, and helped Steve Bruce’s side claim a crucial three points.

But was it the best Newcastle debut of the century? Here are a few other contenders. Cast your vote below and tell us in the comments if you'd have picked someone we have missed off the list.

 
The Northern Echo: Tim Krul made himself an instant hero with some game-saving saves at Palermo.Tim Krul made himself an instant hero with some game-saving saves at Palermo.

Tim Krul (vs Palermo, 2006)

Eyebrows were raised when a series of injuries forced Glenn Roeder to hand an 18-year-old Krul a senior debut in a UEFA Cup game in Palermo.

A makeshift Newcastle team took the lead thanks to a rare goal from Albert Luque, and Krul made a succession of superb saves to secure his side a shock 1-0 win.

The Northern Echo: Papiss Cisse scored on his debut after coming on as an early sub.Papiss Cisse scored on his debut after coming on as an early sub.

Papiss Cissé (vs Aston Villa, 2012)

Cisse started on the bench as Newcastle hosted Aston Villa a few days after he moved to Tyneside from Freiburg, but he found himself coming on after just 14 minutes as Leon Best was forced off through injury.

His golden moment came with 19 minutes left as Jonas Gutierrez crossed from the left. Cisse controlled the ball on his chest, and smashed a ferocious volley past Shay Given to earn Newcastle a 2-1 win.

The Northern Echo: Jonjo Shelvey set himself a high bar with a Man of the Match performance on his debut against West Ham.Jonjo Shelvey set himself a high bar with a Man of the Match performance on his debut against West Ham.

Jonjo Shelvey (vs West Ham, 2016)

He didn’t score as he made his Newcastle debut against West Ham in January 2016, but Shelvey’s Man of the Match display arguably remains his best ever performance in a black-and-white shirt.

The midfielder had a hand in both of Newcastle’s goals as he sprayed his trademark long-range passes around the field, and left to a deserved ovation at the final whistle.

The Northern Echo: Matty Longstaff, in action here against Manchester City, sealed victory over the other half of Manchester on his Toon debut.Matty Longstaff, in action here against Manchester City, sealed victory over the other half of Manchester on his Toon debut.

Matty Longstaff (vs Man United, 2019)

The younger of the two Longstaff brothers had already appeared for Newcastle in the League Cup, but he was making his Premier League debut when he lined up against Manchester United at St James’.

What happened next was a childhood dream come true, with Longstaff smashing home a long-range strike in front of the Gallowgate End to earn Newcastle a 1-0 win.

Who gets your vote?