Here is what a selection of the National press had to say about Wigan's curtain raiser.
The Observer
Ameobi takes over Where Shearer left off
Newcastle United bought some time for their manager Glenn Roeder as he searches for a replacement for Alan Shearer, and also reminded him why he needs to make more than one signing.
Wigan's resistance will have surprised nobody. Last season eight away wins meant they were more successful on their travels than at home, and Emile Heskey and Denny Landzaat were among the new arrivals who impressed yesterday. Heskey's promising link-up with Henri Camara provided sufficient pace and strength to stretch Newcastle's defence, particularly on a surface saturated by a downpour before the start.
The Sun
Newcastle 2 Wigan 1
Alan Shearer has hung up his boots but he is still doing his bit for Newcastle's scoring cause.
The Toon legend returned to his old club's training ground this week and gave heir apparent Shola Ameobi a pep talk.
And 24-year-old Ameobi admitted it had helped him give a match-winning display as he created the first goal and slotted home No 2.
The Independent
Roeder striving to uphold striking tradition
Lee McCulloch equalised 14 minutes after the restart but Ameobi demonstrated his predatory instinct to turn home Charles N'Zogbia's deflected shot five minutes later. "This season Shola will do something that will blow us all away because he has excellent technical ability as well as strength," Roeder said.
Wigan, fielding six new signings, deserved more from this opening-day fixture but the club's manager, Paul Jewell, blamed the referee Martin Atkinson, rather than his own team's profligacy, for a disappointing result.
The Times
Newcastle United 2 Wigan Athletic 1
After Newcastle and Wigan traded goals through Scott Parker and Lee McCulloch, Ameobi mustered the winner when well positioned to meet a rebound from Charles N'Zogbia. With six new players in their ranks, Wigan gelled smoothly, struck a post and should have had a penalty. “There is no panic and no sense of despondency,” Paul Jewell, the manager, said. Newcastle may be beset by rumours of an attempted takeover by the Jersey-based Belgravia Group but they, too, should be optimistic.
Paul Jewell's remodelled team have been bolstered by the arrival of Chris Kirkland and Emile Heskey and Wigan's fitness remains a formidable strength. They should prosper again, while Newcastle will be pressing for Europe provided that they attract a striker of Obafemi Martins's quality.
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