“Fergie (Shane Ferguson) came on and changed the game with that left foot of his. It was something we need in the first team – he needs to push on now.

"(Haris) Vuckic could have got the goal of the season with his ability and Bigi (Gael Bigirimana) came on and sprayed it around.

"I could talk about positives all night – Tav (James Tavernier) was solid. He needs to work on his final pass, but he’ll get that and play for this football club, for sure.

With the exception of the result (and a nagging irritation that runouts for Cabaye, Ba and Ben Arfa would have ended a 40 year hoodoo on this ground), this was a night of positives for Alan Pardew.

A competition which has provided Newcastle fans with almost ritual disappointment throughout its various incarnations never figured large on the agenda of any manager of the modern era. And for our own part, we vividly recall attending ties at the likes of St.Andrews and willing the team not to equalise in the closing moments - to just put us out of our misery.

The return of European football to our workload may have seen us enter the League Cup at a later stage than of late, but that familiar sinking feeling accompanied our pairing with Fergie's side in the draw...and that's before confirmation came of the fiscal madness at the Old Trafford turnstiles.

Still, the famous win at Chelsea under Chris Hughton in 2010 remains fresh in our thoughts and paved the way to end the barren Premier League run at Stamford Bridge. And although lightning didn't strike twice here, this was far from a wasted night for Newcastle fans and players.

Most obviously, the return to scoring form of Papiss Cisse was a tangible positive and our number nine also looked far more like his effervescent self last season in terms of litheness and movement. 
Cisse's powers of improvisation also look intact, one outrageous bicycle kick finding the crossbar. 

Beginning with a front pairing of Shola Ameobi and Haris Vuckic, it's hard to recall a wasted ball or move involving the former, who was unplayable...but in a good way. His partner meanwhile had the better of what chances came our way and twice came agonisingly close to hitting the target. In terms of effort though, he could take a leaf out of the elder Ameobi's book - quite simply he needs to move around and compete more.

As has been the case in the previous three seasons, this competition allowed James Tavernier to sample first team life in a Newcastle shirt and he acquitted himself well in defence and attack. 

There may still be some frustrations in terms of losing the ball in dangerous positions, but in our eyes Tav remains exhibit A when judging the benefits of loaning youngsters to Football League clubs - giving them a grounding in real life professional football that just doesn't come from reserve games.

Unfortunately we're unable to display similar optimism in the case of Gabriel Obertan, making a second return to his former home ground since joining Tyneside and in no way looking like a man with a point to prove.

As in previous cup games this season he enjoyed no lack of possession and clearly has pace, but seems incapable of providing a run and a cross or shot in one cohesive movement - looking more concerned in working the ball back or trying to win a free kick or corner; both instances resulting in a loss of any momentum that we may have built up. 

Obertan's lack of end product was highlighted when Shane Ferguson appeared at outside left and in a matter of seconds showed admirable single-mindedness to drive forward, take on his opponent and deliver a cross in the same move.

Cisse lapped that one up to reduce the arrears and the same pair then repeated the feat, coming mighty closing to making it 2-2.

Trying to find something positive to say about Obertan, at least he got somewhere in the vicinity of the opposition penalty area - which is more than can said for the fitful Marveaux. Whether it's a lack of confidence or fitness is unclear, but he's clearly reluctant to try and evade an opponent and instead looking for a routine, unthreatening pass back towards his own goal.

Midway in between the French pair in terms of our optimism/exasperation lies Gosling, who had three attempts to find the net here as he had done last season at the blue half of Manchester. Sadly one was mis-hit, the next over the bar and third not strong enough to beat De Gea.

Like his shots in the Maritimo away game, he's at least now getting into the positions to have a crack. However, he's still to silence those of the opinion that Pardew weakened his midfield pool by losing Guthrie and retaining Gosling, with a consequent reduction in goals and assists.

Perhaps the benefit of another five guaranteed Europa League ties before Christmas will be that he has further opportunities to improve - and that the manager equally has openings in which to try and achieve what would be an almost Perch-like uplift in his value to the squad.

With the outfield positives outweighing the negatives - Tiote far more sensible tonight than on Sunday despite another booking and more vital experience for Bigirimana - goalkeeper Rob Elliot should also be mentioned for blocks from Anderson and Welbeck that built on his display in Madeira.