Newcastle United played host to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday afternoon as we concluded our preparation for the return of the regular season in just a few days time with a 2-1 victory over the La Liga side.
Sean Longstaff opened the scoring after just four minutes with a first-time effort after a poor clearance from one of the Vallecano defenders.
In a game full of sloppy errors, Wood converted a spot-kick in the second half after a poor challenge on Willock while at the other end Matt Targett saw his clearance bounce into his own net.
16 first-team members – Darlow, Karius, Burn, Dummett, Krafth, Lewis, Manquillo, Ritchie, Schar, Almiron, Anderson, Joelinton, Fraser, Bruno, Isak, Wilson – were all missing from the matchday squad, suggesting a number of them could be featuring in our midweek clash against Bournemouth.
NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Lascelles, Botman, Targett, Shelvey, S Longstaff, Willock, Murphy, Saint-Maximin, Wood
SUBS: Gillespie, Brookwell, Carlyon, Scott, Stephenson, Crossley, Ndiweni, Turner-Cooke, A Murphy, L Miley
It was a nervy start for Newcastle after Chris Wood played a poor ball straight to Alvaro Garcia who forced Nick Pope into making the first save of the day after just two minutes.
But the Magpies quickly found their feet and scored the opening goal with our first attack after a good cross from Kieran Trippier which was only half-cleared by the defender and Sean Longstaff was able to latch on to the loose ball and fire it into the back of the net.
After just ten minutes, Eddie Howe’s side looked hungry for more as Longstaff made another good run, intercepting the ball from a poor goal kick and forced Vallecano’s goalkeeper into a good save.
Newcastle looked very sharp going forwards and could have had another one or two after Wood had the ball in the net but was called back for an earlier offside while Jonjo Shelvey’s tame effort was deflected and held by the keeper.
Both sides struggled to keep hold of the ball throughout the first half and produced a number of sloppy passes in the middle of the pitch, often leading to a counter attack.
Midway through the first period Longstaff, who had a great start to the game, linked up well with Chris Wood in midfield before the Kiwi played a great ball into Trippier who saw his cross into Murphy claimed by Dimitrievski.
Murphy got his first effort on goal on the half hour mark after again being played through by Trippier down the right-wing, but his angled shot was again kept out by the keeper.
Heading into the break, Vallecano had looked poor all afternoon but Newcastle had failed to really capitalise on these mistakes despite often winning the midfield battle and making a number of promising runs. Longstaff’s early goal was all that separated the two sides.
It was a slow start to the second half with neither side really fabricating a chance in the first ten minutes. Murphy had put a great cross into the area but Wood had just mistimed his run and the chance went begging.
The Toon showed some great build-up play halfway through the second period, switching the ball from right to left, but the final ball from Targett into the box was fairly easily held by the goalkeeper.
Newcastle were awarded a penalty after Joe Willock was brought down just inside the box – although seemingly going away from goal – and Chris Wood smashed it into the top of the net to double our lead with 20 minutes remaining.
Former Newcastle man Florian Lejeune made his return to St James’ Park after being substituted on immediately after the second goal and was met with a round of applause from the home fans.
In one of Vallecano’s few second half attacks, Targett was very unfortunate to see his clearance fall into his own net, halving the deficit, after trying to intercept a cross from the left-hand side.
Our first changes of the afternoon came after 77 minutes as Jay Turner-Cooke and Dylan Stephenson replaced Jonjo Shelvey and Chris Wood.
The away side had the chance to equalise just a few minutes after their first, but another tame effort from point-blank range was very easily saved by Pope.
Ex-Atletico Madrid and Monaco star Radamel Falcao was brought on for the visitors to try and rescue the game while 16-year-old Lewis Miley came on for Kieran Trippier in our third change of the day.
In the end it was a comfortable victory for Newcastle against a lacklustre Rayo Vallecano side and hopefully we have avoided any injury scares – particularly with Trippier having to receive treatment at one point.
Our attention now turns to Bournemouth on Tuesday night as we look to advance to the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup.
Canny run out for the lads. Longstaff did well. Maxi still very frustrating.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
West Brom keep marching on and beat Rotherham 3 nil today. What was that you were saying Gabby Agbonlahor, Danny Mills and Simon Jordon about Steve Bruce?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
So happy for the Baggies. Their fans always seemed like a solid bunch.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
When you think about our takeover you have to look back and realise what a massive turnaround it was. The owners stupidly let Bruce manage his last game against Spurs. A total fcn disaster. Then Graeme Jones got 2 points out of 9. Another disaster. I think Eddie had Man City and Liverpool in his first few games.
This man has worked miracles.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I never for a second thought our form pre WC was a fluke or a flash in the pan or anything like that – and our friendly games leave me confident that our performances will continue to be good in the 2nd half of the season.
How that leaves us in the league is going to be very interesting to find out.
We have key players coming back from injuries & hopefully all our WC players returning without too many issues.
Recruiting will be an interesting watch too.
I still can’t bring myself to make any predictions – I don’t dare to dream just yet.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: Eddie has got me believing again after all these years. I watched us through thick and thin. I watched us through Rafa who I think the fans vastly overrated and I watched us through the abysmal Brucie-Boy. Now I have hope again. Even more, I have expectation.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am actually happy about Southgate staying on. When he first got the job I thought it might be too much for him and he might be another McClaren. But, he has done well at tournaments. The football has often been a bit dull but he opened up a bit at this WC. The main thing is that if the FA were going British I couldnt think of anyone to replace him. Eddie and Potter sort of have their dream jobs and will be wanting to prove themselves.
Also, you have to remember who Southgate replaced – Big Fat Sham. Can you imagine having to listen to his patter for the last 4 years!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The other good thing about Southgate is that he is not a gobshyte. In fact he is quite articulate in contrast to 2 former England Managers who as NUFC fans we have seen up close – McClaren and BFS.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The 2 former NUFC managers always spoke in cliches and platitudes and were much more interested in defending themselves than giving you a fair assessment of the game. God we have had a lot of those. Pards and Ugly John, even Rafa.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Here we go then, hoping Messi gets his dream, not a fan of the French .
kimtoon(Quote)
Also a win for the Argies would **** on the Qatari fireworks . No doubt they love the fact that their Qatar sports chairman and PSG owner have the French team in the final.
Gonna watch the ref closely too today, there have been some right dodgy showings .
kimtoon(Quote)
I thought England were the better team against France. This is Messi’s last chance so c;mon you Argies. Best player I have ever seen and MBappe has time on his side.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
You have to be pretty good to have Dybala on the bench 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
get in Messi
kimtoon(Quote)
Argies need to get another. They are totally outplaying France.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
2 nil. The idiot pundits will tell you that is the most dangerous score. NO IT IS NOT.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Whenever I hear that I wish i was in the studio to ask a simple question – would you rather be 2-nil up or 2-nil down?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The French have done nothing. They are not even really putting any pressure on the Argentina back line when they lose the ball.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
That 2nd goal was an absolute joy to watch!!.
France are poor though.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Cheesus!!! Clint Dempsey who used to play for Fulham just said it on US TV – that 2-0 is the most dangerous score. FFS. Do they all take the same stupid pills? Ian Darke said it earlier in the week. They should all be banned from commentating ever again. I dont care if France come back or not, it is just a stupid thing to say.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
51 mins. Is Steve Bruce managing this French team today?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Forget Trossard, it’s MacAllister I’d be taking from Brighton – he’s been immense for Argentina through the whole WC.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Also – how is it that half the UK are struggling to heat their homes this winter – yet half of Argentina can afford to fly out and watch their boys win the WC in Quatar???
Sharpy17(Quote)
Same with De Paul but he plays for Athletico.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Varane looks like what I imagine a giraffe would look like if it played football
Sharpy17(Quote)
Eric – agreed mate. De Paul is 28 and MacAllister is only 23 but either would be great for our midfield I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I wish we had played this French side! Very poor indeed. Don’t deserve anything so far.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Penalty
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Well that changed quickly!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Maybe I am the dumb one and 2-0 is a dangerous score 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
How the hell are France still in this!!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
The winners of WC 2022 … the owners of PSG!!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
They win either way! Messi and Mbappe!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
They keep advertising the FIFA store on the billboards. Some of the stuff is subtle and not that overpriced. T-shirts with team logos on specifically for Qatar at $35.
Then they have some other stuff. A framed, signed Bruno Fernandez shirt for $1,075 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
yep, said earlier about that.
kimtoon(Quote)
ha ha Argentina score, and no need to check var
kimtoon(Quote)
just gotta hold on now
kimtoon(Quote)
jeeze pen for france
kimtoon(Quote)
oh f off
kimtoon(Quote)
mental game this
kimtoon(Quote)
Best WC game I ever saw was France/Germany in 1982. I was living in Munich and it finished 4-3. This is as nuts as that although Argentina should have put it to bed.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
pens to decide, horrible way to lose in a final
kimtoon(Quote)
Well done Lionel. Cements his place in history.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well done Argentina,bad luck France
kimtoon(Quote)
awesome cup final that like.
kimtoon(Quote)
Probably a blessing in disguise that we went out to France. Imagine Harry McGuire against even a 35 year old Messi !!!
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Right outcome imo – Argies deserved that.
Well after all the noise it ended up being one of the best tournaments of my lifetime so far (purely footballing terms)
Sharpy17(Quote)
So, they have the Qatar Airlines flight attendants with the medals. I have flown that airline and I swear they pick them all for their looks – they all look like models.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Wow. It certainly came to life after the first 80 mins or so
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I see Andrew Reynolds wrote an article for The Chronic today. It was about FFP and I dont agree with the content as I dont think NUFC have to worry about FFP at the moment.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I looked at the Guardian trending stories and number 1 was Jeremy Clarkson saying nasty things about Mehgan Markle. How is this any of his business? Him and Piers Morgan just seem to spout rubbish about the 1st thing that enters their mind and papers and TV give them a forum to do it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Can’t believe we are back playing tomorrow night like!! Can’t wait to see the boys back in action.
Hope we can get back off to winning ways & progress in the cup 🤞🏼.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think the only starters that were at the WC will be Pope and Trippier The others will probably be on the bench. I highly doubt ASM or Wilson will be risked. My guess at the team.
Pope
Tripps Lascelles Botman Targett
Willock Shelvey Jpelinton
Miggy Wood Murphy
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric – I bet that’s not far wrong to be fair mate.
Like probably most I’ve thought a lot about Jan additions and the conclusion I have come to is – their job isn’t going to be easy!!.
I know we have the money so the financial side is going to be a problem – for me it’s who do you get rid of from our strongest starting 11.
I have a real strong sense of loyalty to these players for how they have applied themselves under Howe and what they have achieved.
Of course I know there are better players out there and I’m sure we’ll sign some & I’ll grow to feel the same towards those.
But right now I feel like this group deserve to see what they can achieve this season.
I think I’ve spent the last 6 weeks thinking about who to sign, only to decide that I’d be just as happy signing nobody 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy: I think a couple of places might open up in the squad automatically. I think Fraser wants out. We could also pay off Ritchie’s contract and let him seek a new club. He deserves our thanks for being a loyal servant and not least for calling Brucie a coward. Lewis might be off as well.
I would be happy with a defensive mid and another forward. With our injury record they would be guaranteed playing time. I mean Shelvey and Isak have been out for months and you cannot trust Wilson or ASM to stay fit.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We dont really have a defensive midfielder. Bruno is wasted in that role. Shelvey and Sean are not defensive mids and neither is Willock. The closest we have is Joelinton but he doesnt play in the middle.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
is it possible to watch tomorrows cup game ?
kimtoon(Quote)