Newcastle 1-0 Atalanta: Star is born at SJP as Toon trio shine in impressive win
The perfect start to a double-header of home games at St James' Park, as a far from full strength Newcastle United saw off a dangerous Atalanta side on Friday night.
Over 40,000 attended the game, which was won by a penalty converted by Chris Wood and created by the brilliant Elliot Anderson.
After the odd nervy moment in the opening stages, the 19-year-old went from strength to strength, showing composure on the ball, impressive fitness levels - his pressing was relentless - and a real hunger to unsettle Atalanta, both on and off the ball.
It may still be early days, but it felt like we witnessed the birth of a star at St James' Park, as Anderson carries the ball like a young Ross Barkley and offers that fearless tenacity we used to see from Wayne Rooney during his early days in senior football.
Once again, he did not look out of place - in fact, he was one of the best players on the pitch - and almost scored with a curling effort that Sportiello did well to tip wide.
Miguel Almrion didn't get on the scoresheet this time, but he too was one of the standout performers. The in-form Paraguayan looked electric at times, using his pace to good effect and seeming far more decisive in the final third - two welcome traits to go alongside the non-stop energy and running he never fails to offer.
Dan Burn was a man mountain at the back, regularly dealing with Toon target Duvan Zapata - who had one good effort well saved by Nick Pope - and helped us to a well deserved clean sheet alongside the quietly impressive and often unflappable Fabian Schar.
Trippier and Targett were typically reliable in everything they did and Sean Longstaff put in a slick second half display, learning from a couple of early lapses as he played in a deeper role behind the all action Anderson and Almiron.
Considering there was no Guimaraes, Botman, Wilson, Shelvey (injured), Joelinton (suspended), Willock or Saint-Maximin in the squad - most of which are being saved for Bilbao on Saturday - it was hugely impressive to see us keep a usually free-scoring Atalanta side at bay.
Starting XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett, S Longstaff, Anderson, Almiron, Murphy, Wood, Fraser.
Subs: Gillespie, A Murphy, Bondswell (90), M Longstaff (82), De Bolle, L Miley, Turner-Cooke, Munoz, Stephenson (90).
Along with no injuries, it was also nice to see a host of U21 talents make up the substitutes bench at St James' Park, giving many a night they'll never forget.
Matty Bondswell and Dylan Stephenson only came on for the final minute of the match, however the likes of Santiago Munoz and new recruit Alex Murphy made the squad alongside Lucas De Bolle, Jay Turner-Cooke and 16-year-old local lad Lewis Miley.
As for the negatives, it was noticeable how many attacks broke down with Jacob Murphy. He has plenty of pace, but his poor decision making or lacklustre final ball often let him down.
Chris Wood took his penalty emphatically and held up the ball well after a really sloppy start, however he doesn't look mobile enough and rarely looks like scoring.
The Kiwi can still be a good squad player and is clearly a valued voice in the dressing room, but it's easy to see why we want another striker who can offer the sort of threat we miss whenever Wilson isn't leading the line.
Next up, Athletic Bilbao in less than 24 hours time, with an even bigger crowd expected as the likes of Bruno, Botman, Saint-Maximin and Wilson look set to start against the Spaniards in our final pre-season game of the summer at St James' Park.
Last but not least, a hat tip to the East Stand roller who was up there with Anderson, Almiron and Burn for man of the match thanks to this moment of brilliance midway through the second half!...
