Newcastle 4 Girona 0 was the result.
Friday night’s match at St. James’ Park kicked off at 7.30 p.m. As is customary for home matches, the majority of the spectators were young, family-oriented fans, with 31,958 in attendance.
You should never overreact when it comes to friends, either in a good or bad way.
Having said that, Newcastle United’s performance in the first half was outstanding.
Similarities with the Tottenham game from April 2023, where Newcastle led 5-0 after 21 minutes, are noted.
This time, the score was 3-0 after 16 minutes and 4-0 after 38, but it could have been higher as United’s well-known Eddie Howe strong push regularly caught the visitors off guard.
It’s hard to say how good or awful Girona were; the only thing we can truly say is how excellent Newcastle was, particularly in that first half.
As per customary, Eddie Howe benched his first team for the two home friendly, although it appeared that he had chosen a stronger lineup for this Friday night game: Pope, Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Hall, J Miley, Joelinton, Longstaff, Murphy, Isak, and Gordon.
The first goal came about in only three minutes thanks to some excellent play by Krafth from the edge of his own box, Murphy winning control in midfield, carrying the ball and releasing Isak, and Livramento pulling the ball back for a fantastic left-foot finish from Longstaff.
After Joelinton regained control on the outside of the box and Isak’s excellent cross from the left was nodded on to Murphy, who scored from about ten yards out, to make it five goals in five preseason games.
Similar to the destruction of Tottenham in April 2023, Newcastle was in control, but not completely. Giona did pose a threat at times, but Pope made a really good save by diving to his right to stop Livramento from winning a brilliant football play that culminated in a powerful low shot from a Girona forward. The top United player would go on to make a few more excellent stops to maintain his clean sheet.
In the sixteenth minute, United made it 3-0 by going right up the other end.
Joelinton, looking very brilliant, won possession on the halfway line once more. The Brazil international feed Isak after intercepting a pass, released Gordon, and the winger scored on home ground with a very fine low left-foot finish, getting him back into scoring form ahead of the new season.
With Miley’s pass down the left, Isak was on fire and terrorizing the visitors defense. The Swedish striker repeatedly turned two defenders inside out until one of them hauled him to the ground as he rushed into the box.
The Swedish striker came up to make it 4-0, but the keeper dove to his right to save a bad penalty on minute 19.
It waited until the 38th minute for 4-0, despite the fact that the clever, incisive offensive game remained and opportunities were produced.
Joelinton drove forward with the ball again, played it to Isak, whose shot from the edge of the box was well saved by the keeper. Murphy, however, got the rebound wide right in the box, dropping his shoulder and leaving the defender for dead. Joelinton’s attempt to head in the precise cross hit the crossbar, and Longstaff scored his second goal of the game.
Shortly before the fourth goal, Dan Burn somehow appeared at the outside of the box. He sprinted on to a pass and had a fantastic attempt turned over from 20 yards. The move began with Nick Pope and took seven or eight passes.
The second half was a major letdown, as is frequently the case when you play so brilliantly and score goals in the first forty-five minutes. Not surprisingly, players don’t want to push themselves too far and risk being hurt, especially in a friendly.
It wasn’t a lack of effort; rather, it was merely a case of energy levels lowering and there was no need to raise the heart rate to compensate in a friendly when they’d effectively ended the game.
Trevan Sanusi is one athlete who doesn’t appear to have any issues with his energy levels.
Having only recently returned to training this past week, Anthony Gordon put in a really strong 45 minutes, which is excellent news for next weekend. But in the next season, his 17-year-old successor made a claim to playing in the first team.
Sanusi’s speed and technique were evident at St James’ Park, and when Newcastle signed him, they told us he was a really exciting prospect.
When Sanusi supplied Isak, Newcastle came dangerously close to making it 5-0. Once again, our center striker sprinted at the Girona defense and they were unable to contain him. Isak managed to pull the final defender and sent Parkinson through on goal, but the goalie made a comfortable stop to deny him.
Girona qualified for the Champions League the next season after finishing third in La Liga the previous year. They played at Bournemouth today at 4.15 p.m., but they also won 2-0 away at Napoli in a friendly last Saturday, so it’s reasonable to assume they may have divided their team last night.
When Michael Oliver, the league’s top referee by a wide margin, had the opportunity to officiate against the Newcastle United club, he and the other 32,000 supporters couldn’t have been impressed.
A fantastic evening, and ideally Saturday’s 4pm match against Brest will provide a similar result with Will Osula expected to make his debut and players like Bruno, Schar, Barnes, and Trippier all able to log significant minutes.
Final standings:
Durham 4 Girona 0
Newcastle Eagles:
Joelinton, Gordon (Sanusi 46), Isak (Hernes 89), Jacob Murphy, Krafth, Hall, Longstaff, Jamie Miley (Parkinson 63), Livramento, Burn (Stanton 89), and Pope (Ruddy 76).
Underutilized subs
Alfie Harrison, Gillespie, Heffernan, Munda, and Shahar
Schedule for Newcastle United to October 20, 2024:
On July 20, 2024, Saturday, 3 SpVgg Unterhaching 1 in Newcastle
27 July 2024, Saturday: Hull 0 Newcastle 2.
Wednesday, July 31, 2024: Newcastle 4, Urawa Red Diamonds 1.
On August 3, 2024, Yokohama F Marinos defeated Newcastle 0 on Saturday.
Friday, August 9, 2024: Girona 0, Newcastle 4.
Newcastle United vs. Stade Brestois, Saturday, August 10, 2024, 4 p.m. kickoff (SJP Sela weekend)
Wednesday, August 14, 2024: At roughly 10 p.m., the Carabao Cup second round draw will take place.
Saturday, August 17, 2024, 3 p.m.: Newcastle vs. Southampton
Sunday, August 25, 2024 – Newcastle vs. Bournemouth, 2 p.m. Sky Sports
Next week, on Monday, August 26, 2024, there will be Carabao Cup round two matches.
The summer transfer window expires at 11 p.m. on Friday, August 30, 2024.
Newcastle vs. Tottenham on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. Sky Sports
(The season’s first international break)
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 4.30 p.m.: Wolves vs. Newcastle Sky Sports
Weeks beginning Monday, September 16 AND Monday, September 23: Round three of the Carabao Cup (divided over two midweeks).
Saturday, September 21, 2024, 3 p.m. Fulham vs. Newcastle
Weeks beginning Monday, September 16 AND Monday, September 23: Round three of the Carabao Cup (divided over two midweeks).
Newcastle vs. Man City on Saturday, September 28, 2024 (12.30 pm) TNT Sports
Newcastle vs. Everton on Saturday, October 5, at 5.30 p.m. Sky Sports
Saturday, October 19, 3 p.m.: Newcastle vs. Brighton
Sunday, October 27 at 2 p.m.: Chelsea vs. Newcastle Sky Sports
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