Atalanta had numerous chances at St. James’ Park, but were beaten 1-0 by Newcastle United thanks to a penalty.
Jose Luis Palomino was suspended after failing a pre-season surprise doping test, while new signing Ederson started behind strikers Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel.
It was a strong start at St. James’ Park from La Dea, as Muriel and Teun Koopmeiners drilled just wide and Nick Pope had to fingertip a Duvan Zapata scorcher over the bar.
However, Newcastle took the lead somewhat against the run of play when Elliot Anderson was brought down for a penalty converted by Chris Wood.
Jacob Murphy fired not far wide moments later from distance and Marco Sportiello palmed Anderson’s curler round the far post.
Kieron Trippier found Duvan Zapata so difficult to stop that he ended up tearing the Colombian’s jersey in half.
Jeremie Boga came on for only 12 minutes, but still managed to infuriate coach Gian Piero Gasperini with his misses.
Newcastle 1-0 Atalanta
Wood pen 39 (N)
Newcastle United: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett; S Longstaff (Murphy 82), Anderson, Almiron, Murphy, Fraser (Stephenson 90); Wood (Bondswell 90)
Atalanta: Sportiello (Musso 64); Toloi (Djimsiti 64), Scalvini (Ruggeri 78), Okoli; Zortea (Hateboer 64), De Roon, Koopmeiners (Freuler 64), Maehle (Malinovskyi 78); Ederson (Pasalic 64); Muriel (Lammers 78), Zapata (Boga 78)