Newcastle were let down by Jonjo Shelvey's brainless stamp on Dele Alli as they returned to the Premier League with a 2-0 defeat to Tottenham.

Alli and Ben Davies both scored in the last half and hour after the red card to give the Spurs the perfect start to the season.

Mauricio Pochettino decided to give youngster Kyle Walker-Peters a debut at right-back - in lieu of the injured Kieran Trippier.

Rafa Benitez largely stuck with the side which lifted the Championship title last season - although gave starts to Florian Lajeune and Javier Manquillo, while Christian Atsu played for the first time since turning his loan from Chelsea permanant.

Our man Alex Smith has run the rule over how the debutants performed.

Jonjo Shelvey was sent off (
Image:
Rex Features)
Dele Alli opened the scoring (
Image:
AFP)

Kyle Walker-Peters (Tottenham)

Walker-Peters starred on his debut (
Image:
REUTERS)

Has big feet, and name, to fill - with his almost name-sake moving to Manchester City for £50m this summer - but proved he was more a Kyle Walker-Plus.

The 20-year-old wasn't overly tested on his first Spurs start defensively as he replaced Trippier in the starting XI.

Was out paced by Christian Atsu in the first half on one occasion but that was the only hiccup.

Overall will be happy with his performance, seeing plenty of the ball and distributing it well.

Another good option for Mauricio Pochettino and yet another star nurtured from the academy by the Argentine.

VERDICT: HIT

Florian Lejeune (Newcastle)

Lejeune had his debut cut short in the first half (
Image:
Rex Features)

Didn't take long to acclimatise to the Premier League following his switch from Eibar this summer.

The Frenchman couldn't have had much more difficult first assessment in English football, as he watched Harry Kane strut his stuff.

But Lejeune prevented the England ace from grabbing his 100th Spurs goal in an assured outing before being subbed off after a nasty tackle from Kane in the 34th minute.

VERDICT: HIT

Javier Manquillo (Newcastle)

Manquillo chases Harry Kane (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Well known in the Premier League after spells at Liverpool and Sunderland.

Barely registered at full-back as the ball went through the centre or down the Newcastle left more often than not.

Dealt well with the regular enforced first half changes at the back and slotted in without whoever he was paired up with on the left-side of defence.

VERDICT: TOO SOON TO TELL

Christian Atsu (Newcastle)

Atsu was lively but not often enough (
Image:
REUTERS)

One brilliant run down the wing in the first half showcased what he is all about.

But other than that breathless sprint he shied away from the action, with Matt Ritchie on the other flank more often involved.

Rafa Benitez knows how to get the best out of him, after being an integral part of the promotion team while on loan, and again a lesser team could be lethal.

VERDICT: MISS

Mikel Merino (Newcastle)

Merino came off the bench late on (
Image:
Serena Taylor/Getty Images)

Came off the bench for the last 14 minutes with the game already lost.

Sured up the weakened midfield somewhat but Spurs were in cruise control.

Could be in line for his full debut next week, with Shelvey set to miss the next three matches.

VERDICT: TOO SOON TO TELL

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