Papiss Cisse has pulled Newcastle United level on the stroke of half time against Southampton after Graziano Pelle's 24th-minute header had given the visitors the lead at St James' Park.

The Magpies almost drew first blood within the opening 10 minutes as a through ball from Moussa Sissoko found debutant Georginio Wijnaldum, who got the better of Maya Yoshida, but saw his shot blocked by a retreating Steven Davis.

At the other end, Saints showed their attacking threat as a lobbed pass from Dusan Tadic created an opening from Cedric Soares from an acute angle before Tim Krul raced off his line so stop the full-back.

Newcastle thought they had a case for a penalty midway through the half as Fabricio Coloccini headed the ball towards the arm of Yoshida, but referee Craig Pawson waved away the home side' appeals.

Within moments, Southampton, who have won their three previous encounters against Newcastle, had taken the lead when Soares's cross caught out the United defence and Pelle was alert enough to beat Krul with the header.

The hosts believed they had another case for a penalty on the half-hour mark as a flick-on from Sissoko appeared to strike the arm of Jay Rodriguez, but again Pawson was unmoved.

However, United drew level with the interval approaching as Cisse fired a close-range shot home from a corner.