Before we were so rudely interrupted....449 days, in which there were some hasty departures from SJP and ultimately another turn in the chair for the last man standing, Chris Hughton. 

And for the punters, cheap admission prices, a century of goals, 30 league wins out of 46 games, returns to some far flung outposts and ultimately a few sore heads. 

Now all as much part of history as Adidas strips or a single party forming the government....

Back in with the big boys then - no longer suffering the ignimony of wee small hours TV "analysis" from Steve bloody Claridge. And where better to start than at the Premier League's theme park, where the numbers of bemused daytrippers are matched only by the hordes of tat sellers (whose latest line is "friendship" scarves featuring the colours of the teams playing. Will they really be doing them for the Man City and Liverpool games?)

Given our history at this ground and the ordinariness of our lineup, a reasonable pre-match assessment of what was to come would have been decidedly downbeat. Put simply, better Newcastle teams than this one have come a cropper here. 

Balanced against that though were memories of our last visit here just short of two years ago, when the first sight of Spiderman and the ability of the smallest man on the pitch managed to head in a cross left the black and whites in good spirits and a point better off. 

Unfortunately though, the new occupant of the Newcastle number nine shirt was unable to direct his early chance on goal and nothing as gilt-edged was to present itself over the rest of the evening.

We're tempted to say that's lesson number one from the Premier League, but unlike many of the clowns in the press box, we can recall Carroll's three previous top-flight goals and work rate, including his defensive work. It's gratifying to see that latter aspect of his game survives.  

The first thirty minutes were a case of Newcastle dealing competently with what the home side had to offer, without ever really looking as if they were counter-attacking with any conviction. Debutant Perch looked to be somewhat overawed by the occasion and increasingly came under pressure as the home side funnelled their efforts down the left and towards him.

However he reappeared for the second half (Chris Hughton resisting the temptation to draft in Ryan Taylor) and like fellow Premier League virgin Mike Williamson will hopefully emerge stronger for the experience. Would a fit Campbell have steadied the defence tonight? probably. 

With Carroll out on his own as expected, the ploy of playing Kevin Nolan as his support almost inevitably failed to come off - a lack of pace from the Magpie captain being far more evident in this contest than against the defenders of Doncaster Rovers or Barnsley.

And with Smith sitting in front of the back four, Barton failed to provide anything of note - save for some careless passing and further evidence that he's not match fit. One would think that under those circumstances, drawing attention to oneself with comedy facial hair and ill-judged press comments would have been the last thing on his mind, but apparently not.

In the event though, our pedestrian midfield trio were to be eclipsed by two even older stagers in the shape of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs - the latter who had been warming up as early as the 15th minute, but made a only belated appearance late on to grab a crowd-pleasing goal.

Two behind at the break and the game was over - with the biggest threat to the home side proving to be the steep banking off the pitch that claimed one Man U player late on at the Stretford End. Quite why it's like this is unclear; Stamford Bridge has the same problem (especially at the back of the goals), but here there's not the same issue of restricted space.

The appearance of Ameobi caused a flutter of excitement, it coinciding with Newcastle's best period of the second half. It was noticeable though just how quickly that the attentions of many of the away fans turned away from events on the pitch to baiting home punters in the next section - interest in the game waning as the clock ticked on.

Hughton's final throw of the dice proved to be the arrival of Xisco in a left-sided midfield role - although the chance to throw Vuckic on for a cameo appearance seemed a more obvious move. One theory is that the Lovenkrands injury is more serious than expected and the Spaniard (confirmed by Hughton in the summer as not being part of his plans) could feature against Villa.

Alternatively, Xisco's out-of-position appearance and the naming Ranger, Vuckic and Tavernier on the bench could perhaps be interpreted as an attempt to express the phrase "bare bones" in front of a watching Ashley, with the end of the transfer window fast approaching. Time will tell.

So, a predictably pointless start, but at least it's over with. 

Hughton may sit at his training ground desk under a portrait of Sir Bobby Robson, but he never guided us to victory here either. And looking for positives, the fact we didn't implode in the manner of the January 2008 game was pleasing (that one was 0-0 at half time and 0-6 45 minutes later with Alan Smith dismissed). It can be argued that part of that "achievement" tonight was due to the profligacy of Berbatov and listlessness of Rooney, but we're grateful for small mercies.... 

Taking a point from this game two seasons ago (and one from Stamford Bridge) ultimately did us little good, thanks to careless and clueless displays at other "lesser" teams like Hull and Bolton. One thing that hasn't changed in our one-season absence is the imperative of taking points from those games, as well as retaining form and focus at SJP.

As well as the performance and the result next Sunday against a Milner-less Aston Villa though, the crowd's contribution will be of great interest. Cracking the 50K mark would be a significant achievement, but just as telling will be the support and patience afforded to the team. The expectation levels from those who turned up last season may have altered, but will any of those who ducked out for a season still find not leading at half time unacceptable and boo accordingly?   

Never mind Hughton's tactical powers being stretched at arenas like Old Trafford, setting his team up for home games promises to be a genuine test of his nerve. An early goal would be nice, but in itself leave him the dilemma of whether to stick or twist. Welcome back.

Biffa