Newcastle United end preseason on a high note

Newcastle United finished their preseason with an impressive victory against a Europa League side at St. James’ Park.

Newcastle United returned to St. James’ Park for the first time since May and they delivered an impressive 2-1 victory to their supporters. The Magpies were full of style with their orange kit and they were just as flashy on the pitch. Steve Bruce stuck with his 3-5-2 formation and deployed a strong lineup consisting of Martin Dubravka, Javier Manquillo, Federico Fernandez, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Rolando Aarons, Isaac Hayden, Sean Longstaff, Jonjo Shelvey, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton. Newcomers Jetro Willems and Allan Saint-Maximin made their debuts as second half substitutes.

First Half

Newcastle United got off to a quick start in this match and the fans got off their seats in the fifth minute when Miguel Almiron utilized his pace and took the ball from box to box after a St. Etienne corner with only one defender in front of him, but his effort from 18 yards out was blocked.

St. Etienne began pressing forward more frequently after ten minutes of action and the French side had a good look at goal in the 11th minute, but Rolando Aarons got back in time to make a decisive tackle. Newcastle United grew more comfortable over the next few minutes, but they failed to create meaningful chances. Joelinton and Javier Manquillo were the recipients of some good aerial through-balls from Jonjo Shelvey and Fabian Schar, but the offside flag prevented them from finishing what could have been big plays from close range.

The Magpies had a great chance to take the lead in the 23rd minute through Isaac Hayden as the midfielder dribbled around the keeper, but his shot from a tight angle was deflected out for a corner. The Magpies were the better team after 30 minutes as they played with more urgency and created many more scoring chances than their opponents.

The goal finally came for Newcastle United in the 39th minute when Joelinton beat the keeper in a one-on-one situation after a long-ball from the right hand side landed in the penalty area. The action didn’t stop there, though, as Newcastle United had a brilliant chance to extend their lead three minutes later. A fantastic free kick from Shelvey rocked the bar, but didn’t cross the line when it bounced back down. Overall, Newcastle United were the better team in the first half and the result at halftime reflected their dominance.

Second Half

Newcastle United picked up right where they left off in the first half as Almiron came close to making it 2-0 for the home side with a left-footed strike that forced a quick reaction from the keeper in the 46th minute.

Two minutes later, Shelvey drilled another free kick at goal from 30 yards out, but it went straight to the keeper who punched it clear. Joelinton and Almiron then teamed up for a good scoring chance in the 50th minute, but the Paraguayan international only earned a corner kick with his effort.

Almiron was involved in the action once again in the 57th minute and he should have scored, but his shot went over the bar. After that attempt, Newcastle United made a few substitutions. Joelinton, Almiron and Aarons made way for Yoshinori Muto, Allan Saint-Maximin and Jetro Willems. The newcomers were welcomed with loud cheers from the stands.

Newcastle United managed to score a second goal in the 60th minute when Manquillo found Muto in the box and the Japanese international fired home a wonderful strike, but the goal was ruled out because Manquillo was called for offside. Five minutes later it was Saint-Maximin who got involved in the action with a quick shot from outside the box that forced the keeper to make a punching save.

It didn’t take much longer for the second goal to come about. Sean Longstaff found his brother Matty who drilled home a wonderful strike with his first touch on the ball. Matty Longstaff was only only the field for about 40 seconds before striking home his first goal with the senior team.

The Magpies almost made it 3-0 when Muto fired a powerful header towards goal and the keeper’s save bounced off the post. Muto was the main man once again when Saint-Maximin set him up perfectly, but Muto’s shot went just wide of the mark. Not long after, St. Etienne, who were quiet all afternoon, managed to pull a goal back when Mathieu Debuchy scored a free header in the box from a corner kick.

Despite a slip up in the 85th minute when the goal was conceded, Newcastle United dominated this friendly from start to finish. The Magpies were the ones who applied all the pressure, created several chances and scored two goals against a side that will compete in the Europa League this season. Next up for the Toon is the season opener against Arsenal at St. James’ Park next Sunday.