Newcastle made it two draws out of two in the Premier League Summer Series as Miguel Almiron’s tidy finish on his return to Atlanta cancelled out Nicolas Jackson’s opener in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
STARTING XI: (4-3-3) Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Joelinton, Tonali, L. Miley – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
SUBS: Pope*, Gillespie, Ashby*, Savage, J. Miley, Turner-Cooke*, Murphy*, Parkinson*
Newcastle dominated the ball throughout the game while Chelsea sat a lot deeper, inviting pressure and looked to play on the counter with the bundles of pace that they possessed up top.
Our defence was split open after 12 minutes by a simple through ball from Ian Maatsen right into the path of Jackson who slotted it past Martin Dubravka, who was in no man’s land, to make it 1-0. It was a poor goal to giveaway from Newcastle’s perspective who had started to grow into the game.
Up until the goal, the Magpies had actually looked the better side with some good linkup play in the midfield, particularly from Lewis Miley who once again didn’t look out of place in the team.
Our defence was caught lacking yet again as Fabian Schar picked up a yellow card for a harsh challenge on Jackson. The lack of pace in the back line looked like it could be a huge weakness for us this season, especially up against teams full of electric players like Chelsea.
Time and time again Dan Burn was beaten for pace down the right-hand side, leaving us very exposed at the back and opening up a lot of space for the opposition. Thankfully, the Blues were unable to capitalise, but it’s certainly something Howe will want to improve on.
There were a few sloppy passes in the first half with one in particular from Fabian Schar on the half hour mark directly leading to a Chelsea counterattack. Mykhailo Mudryk was allowed to drive down the left-wing before setting up Cesare Casadei whose shot was saved fairly comfortably by Dubravka.
Newcastle’s first substitution of the night came earlier than expected as Schar left the field for Alex Murphy on the 35th minute after picking up a knock. The Swiss defender was able to walk off the pitch by himself, but not an ideal scenario for Howe who is already in the market for another centre-back.
We nearly found an equaliser five minutes before half-time as Almiron’s cross was headed on by Alexander Isak who inadvertently finds the substitute Murphy, but his header is saved somewhat fortunately by Kepa’s shoulder.
Newcastle finally levelled the game up four minutes into added time as Almiron marked his return to Atlanta with a goal. The Paraguayan received a lovely ball into the box from Anthony Gordon who showed some great work driving through the midfield.
Despite making wholesale changes at the break against Aston Villa, our only substitution in Atlanta was in goal as Dubravka made way for Nick Pope who made his first appearance since our final home game of the season against Leicester. There was also a positional change up top as Gordon moved in to the striker role while Isak, who had rarely been involved, moved out wide.
The Swedish forward used his tricky feet to create our first chance of the half as he sent Reece James the wrong way before setting up Miley on the edge of the box. The teenager’s tame effort was comfortably saved, but there was certainly a spark down our left-hand side.
Pope was called into action shortly after as he made a good diving save to prevent Chelsea retaking the lead through Christopher Nkunku. The shot-stopper once again showed why he’s our number one just five minutes later with an excellent save from Conor Gallagher’s effort which he managed to divert out for a corner.
Almiron was our third change of the evening as he made way for Ben Parkinson, another youngster from our academy. The 18-year-old only signed his first pro deal a few weeks ago and will no doubt make the most of his time in the US with the first team.
Parkinson almost had the chance to win the game with 10 minutes remaining as he was left wide open on the right-wing, but Murphy’s ball lacked a bit of pace and was comfortably headed away by the Chelsea defence.
Trippier and Joelinton were our final substitutions of the night as the pair were replaced by Harrison Ashby and Jay Turner-Cooke.
With what was surely the final chance of the game, Ben Chilwell saw a powerful shot superbly saved and tipped past the post by Pope who was rightly applauded by his teammates. The keeper had certainly showed how much of a difference he makes in between the sticks.
It was a fairly uneventful second half for both sides as Newcastle made it two draws out of two in the inaugural Summer Series tournament.
Miley was once again the standout performer as he looked calm and collected on the ball and drove through the midfield with pace despite his 6ft 3. build Gordon was another who shone for the Magpies, his versatility also showing as he transitioned from on the left to through middle to playing off of Isak in the latter stages of the game.
After the game, Eddie Howe said: “It was a really good exercise and challenge for us. I thought it was a battling, gritty, determined second-half and a young team at the end. We saw it out and got a good draw.”
On Miguel Almiron, he added: “Amazing moment for Miggy. The goal itself was a good one. It was a really composed finish from quite a long way out. He’s picked his corner. Miggy communicates through his smile and his body language.”
Next up, Newcastle will round of this tour of the US with one final Summer Series game against Brighton on Saturday morning (12:30am) in New Jersey.
Heading back to airport from game.
not going to say too much about the game until others have seen it.
Bit of an arduous journey .. 26 hours without sleep which will end tomorrow around. 9am local . That stadium is worth a visit for any sporting event. Outstanding arena for sport
Can’t understand the need for drinks break as it was covered and AC’d beautifully tonight
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
Andrew – another really good write up mate 👏🏼.
I watched through tired eyes this morning so may need to watch it back – positives first:
I thought Lewis Miley was absolutely outstanding!! What a little player we have on our hands there. I can’t believe he’s only 17. He plays with such confidence & belief in his own abilities – really looking forward to watch him develop.
Gordon was brilliant too. I think he’s going to be a big player for us this season.
I thought young Murphy did well when he came on and was unlucky not to score.
Nick Pope pulled off some unbelievable saves when you think he’s just back from injury.
Negatives:
The drop off from Pope to our back up keepers is huge!!.
Another questionable defensive display. I think we lack pace in our back 4 – and I’d be push hard for full back and RCB.
Tonali looks off pace against PL opponents – but I’m confident working with Howe through the rest of pre season, they’ll get him up to speed.
Overall I think it was another good run out – though I think Chelsea look very good – dare I say they could be my bet for the league this season.
The PL competition is brilliant though – this isn’t pre season friendlies. It’s a proper work out for the lads.
Finally the stadium looked unreal. I know they basically started from a blank canvas and didn’t have the headache of a pre existing SJP. But if Darren Eales had anything to do with that stadium we are in good hands I reckon 🤞🏼.
Sharpy17(Quote)
GoWest – great mini adventure for you there mate. Hope it was all you hoped it would be.
From what I watched the games were decent, competitive matches with plenty of our first teamers on show.
But it’s the experience I hope lived up to what you were after mate 🤞🏼.
Are you off to NY for the final game?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Imo Chelsea were a far better team on the day they ran the game,our defence looked lost
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – when you consider the money they have spent under Boehy – adding to what was already there & then adding Poch into the mix.
They will only play PL football next season (no European football at all) – so the players will be well rested week to week & Poch will get more time on the training ground with them.
The players they’ve added this summer – particularly up top are first class & largely what they were missing last season really.
I really see them being the ones pushing City this coming season.
But then is that any surprise. The 2 clubs that seem least governed by FFP being the 2 at the top 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Yep tend to agree.
kimtoon(Quote)
Forgive me for disagreeing. Chelsea were an absolute shambles last season. so far they have replaced 18 players who have left with 8 coming in. Their quality to be decided. Poch is a decent manager and will no doubt bring them on, But I would be very surprised if they are chasing the title. Arsenal have significantly strengthened, City have replaced Gundogan with Kavacic. It’s more likely that they will be chasing a Europa League spot. My best estimate for Chelsea is 7th behind, in no particular order, Liverpool, Man U, Villa and us.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Just watched the match. Great write up again Andrew mate, well done! So impressed with young Miley mind, what a player at just 17. Gordon looks very good too. Agree with the other comments on here too. Our defence looks very slow compared to both Villa and Chelsea. We have a strong midfield now. We must strengthen defence and add some speed, and another striker I think.
Oh, and I now have Prem’s details 😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
That’s OK Gilly, I have yours
PremAndUp(Quote)
Don’t get me wrong – I love where our clubs at & the direction we seem to be wanting to take in developing young players.
To see the rise of the likes of Longstaff, Anderson & what looks like Miley gives me far greater pleasure than going out & spending £50m plus on players.
I’m from an era that saw Harper, Watson, Howey, Elliott, Clark all break into the team at a similar time – it was brilliant seeing a team being built around them.
Ironically it was the Keegan era that brought them in & shortly after saw the end of our youth development so the money could be pumped into the first team – in a desperate attempt to achieve success, and it nearly paid off but wasn’t a long term plan really.
What’s great is a lot of the potentials are young local lads who were already there – but the club have now employed quality coaches to develop & get the best from them.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Two words kept coming to me yesterday in the game; slick (Chelsea) and ponderous (Newcastle). The CF, Jackson, was outstanding.
They very nicely forced Newcastle backwards and sideways throughout the game and Gordon aside Newcastle showed little to breach it. Isak shone in patches but looked isolated a lot.
Goal aside, Almiron was quiet and that was a lovely moment. Defence looks vulnerable and an aggressive / quick CB feels urgently needed.
I’ve seen negative comments around the stadium experience which seem to miss what watching sport in the US is about, which is sad. SJP it wasn’t but it’s good I think to have such a unique home ground. I can only contrast those comments to what an outstanding venue and experience it felt to me.
Onto NJ tomorrow. Can’t wait and also sad the nufc odyssey in the us will be over after that
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
😂😂😂🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🍺🍺
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Can’t see beyond manc, arsenal and manu for top three. Pochettino is a great manager and many uk based Chelsea fans seem justifiably optimistic. Lots had fun with Chelsea’s problems last year and I suspect Chelsea fans will enjoy the turnaround. It feels a stretch for them to push for a title.
Suspect they’ll be in the mix for 4-8 with Liverpool, villa, I hope, Newcastle and not forgetting Brighton and spurs
GoWest!Mag(Quote)
I think Sandro will be our new Collo. It will probably take a season for him to really get to grips with what the PL is all about. He looks off the pace atm but that is to be expected. Collo looked all at sea in his first season with us. With a full season in the championship under his belt the season after, he came good. The same could be said for Enrique too.
We may have to be patient with him I suspect.
On the goals we have conceded.. We have been playing a high line with a massive amount of space in the middle of the park. I am not sure who is/was providing defensive cover in the midfield but it seems that no one was?
It was something we didn’t see a lot of last season, we were very compact.
It will be a very interesting season ahead…
Aussie(Quote)
fantastic goal from Lauren james for the lionesses .
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – it was a cracking goal. Doesn’t look good for a Walsh there though does it ☹️
** having to resubmit my details every post at the mo **
Sharpy17(Quote)
GoWest – Kepa would be the main doubt for Chelsea taking the league for me. But I look at Chelsea’s squad now & there aren’t many weaknesses – Nkunku & Jackson added up front is a huge upgrade.
They are 18/1 to win the league – same odds as us.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Aussie – good to see you on mate, hope you’re well.
Agree completely re Tonali – though I don’t think it’ll take quite as long as Colo did. I think people forget that Bruno took a few month, but once in he ran things in midfield. It could be Sandro needs similar – though I think a full pre season will help him.
I think it’s a few things for him – a slightly different role to what he played at AC and a much higher tempo to Italian football.
The good thing is we have the players in the squad to give him however much time is needed.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Aussie – interesting observation. It wasn’t hard to notice the spaces through our middle but we’ve been allover in the games so far. The best defence in the league hasn’t gone away but the cover provided by a 3 man midfield has, sort of. Tonali, Bruno and Miley? Doubt if we’ll see much of that. Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton won’t be run through in the real games.
Hope you’re well mate. Get on more often.
georgio(Quote)