The Magpies completed the permanent signing of Joe Willock from Arsenal following a successful loan spell, which had seen the midfielder equal Alan Shearer's record of scoring in seven consecutive games for the Magpies.
After winning their opening game of the 2020/21 season - a 2-0 away victory at West Ham United - Steve Bruce's side were unable to replicate a similar result against the Hammers in their first Premier League fixture of the 2021/22 campaign.
Victories would be hard to come by during the first-half of the season whilst the hopes of a promising cup run would come to an abrupt end.
Sunday, 15th August
Newcastle United 2 West Ham United 4
In front of over 50,000 home fans for the first time since February 2020, Callum Wilson's close-range header - the striker's ninth goal in 11 matches against the Irons - got the Magpies off to a dream start at St. James' Park.
Another header in front of the Leazes End, courtesy of Jacob Murphy, restored the hosts' lead before the half-time whistle following Aaron Cresswell's equaliser.
However, the visitors flipped the game on its head after the restart through Saïd Benrahma's header and Tomáš Souček's rebound, despite Premier League debutant Freddie Woodman denying Michail Antonio from the penalty spot who then quickly atoned for his previous miss by doubling the Hammers' advantage.
Saturday, 21st August
Aston Villa 2 Newcastle United 0
Newcastle United remained in search of their first Premier League win of the season as two goals in each half condemned the Magpies to a 2-0 defeat at Villa Park.
With the half-time whistle approaching, Danny Ings broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion following a brilliant overhead kick before Villa doubled their lead on the hour mark through Anwar El Ghazi's penalty after Jamaal Lascelles' controversial handball.
Wilson was then denied a spot-kick of his own as the striker, despite being brought down by goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, was deemed to be marginally offside in the build-up.
Wednesday, 25th August
Newcastle United 0 Burnley 0 (Burnley win 4-3 on penalties)
Despite reaching the 2020/21 Carabao Cup quarter-finals, Newcastle exited the competition at the second-round stage following a penalty shoot-out loss against Sean Dyche's Clarets.
Following a goalless 90 minutes, which saw Dwight Gayle hit the crossbar, Newcastle were knocked out via spot-kicks as Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almirón both saw their attempts from 12 yards saved by Burnley goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
Saturday, 29th August
Newcastle United 2 Southampton 2
James Ward-Prowse's 96th minute penalty denied Newcastle maximum points in a dramatic conclusion at St. James' Park.
On a sunny Tyneside afternoon, Wilson's second-half header broke the deadlock before Mohamed Elyounoussi equalised for Ralph Hassenhüttl's Saints.
Allan Saint-Maximin's stoppage-time strike looked to have won it for the hosts before another penalty following a VAR check was awarded against the Magpies, with Ward-Prowse firing home to salvage a point.
