Newcastle United rounded off their pre-season preparations with a 1-0 win over Stade Brest, seeing the club lift the Sela Cup for the second year running.
The afternoon started with Newcastle Women taking AC Milan to penalties (which Wor Lasses won!) after a 2-2 draw in normal times before the Men took on Brest – who finished third in Ligue 1 last season – in the 4pm kick-off at St James’ Park.
Harvey Barnes opened the scoring with a lovely first-half finish set up by Lloyd Kelly and Will Osula showed what he was all about up top with his unique mixture of pace, presence, hold up play and movement in behind, with the offside flag denying what would’ve been a lovely debut goal for the 21-year-old striker who signed from Sheffield United earlier this week.
The game fizzled out slightly in the second half, but the French side were competitive throughout and made us work for our clean sheet as we joined the Women in retaining the Sela Cup for another year ahead of next Saturday’s opener at home to Southampton.
One worry was Fabian Schar, who looked assure for 82 minutes before hobbling off after struggling to recover from what appeared to be a whack to his Achilles. With the new season just seven days away and the squad already light on fit centre-backs, it would be a nightmare to lose Schar and add urgency to our pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
As expected, Eddie Howe picked an entirely different XI for this one, seeing new signings Osula and Kelly start and first-team regulars Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Joe Willock and Miguel Almiron also return to the side.
Elsewhere, Howe handed a rare start to forgotten left-back Jamal Lewis, while 18-year-old Alfie Harrison – signed from Man City earlier this year – started in midfield, with the bench full of U21 talents hoping to take their chance.
STARTING 11: Dubravka – Trippier (c), Schar, Kelly, Lewis – Harrison, Bruno, Willock – Almiron, Osula, Barnes.
SUBS: Vlachodimos, Gillespie, Ashby, Heffernan, Stanton, Hernes, Emerson, Munda, Sanusi, Shahar.
Sandro Tonali (ineligible) missed out once again, with other absentees (aside from those who played yesterday) including Callum Wilson (back), Lewis Miley (foot), Sven Botman (ACL), Jamaal Lascelles (ACL), Matt Targett (Achilles), Alex Murphy (hip), Joe White (back) and Garang Kuol (knee).
Two minutes in, we immediately saw a glimpse of what Osula can offer. The 6ft 4′ striker came short to link the play, spun straight after his lay-off and used his pace to make a darting run in behind. Almiron found him with a through ball down the right and the big man fired a decent effort at Bizot.
Almiron then burst through middle of park moments later. He had options left and right but took the shot on from the edge of the box, which was a little weak and went narrowly wide.
Barnes headed wide after a decent ball from Miggy but soon showed his class with a trademark finish on 15 minutes. Kelly picked him out with another impressive piece of distribution and the former Leicester star cut in, worked the space and curled a right-footed shot into the far corner. 1-0 Newcastle!
🎯 Brilliant finish from Harvey Barnes, but that’s a lovely ball from Lloyd Kelly in the build up.
His distribution has been impressive so far from LCB. #NUFC
— NUFCBlog.co.uk (@NUFCblogcouk) August 10, 2024
Willock almost made it 2-0 after some great pressing and poor Brest defending, only for his low shot to be fired straight at the Brest stopper. Bruno then headed over from Trippier’s inviting free kick delivery as we went close again to scoring a second.
Osula then had a goal disallowed for offside. He showed great pace and more lively movement to get in behind, gathered the ball well and finished confidently, only for the linesman’s flag to deny him. Again, though, it was another promising moments for our new £10m man.
Early chances aside, Brest were far more competitive than the Girona side that couldn’t cope with us last night. After a good block from Kelly to deny the visitors, the former Bournemouth defender was guilty of a poor giveaway, but was bailed out by Dubravka who did well to hold Jonas Martin’s curling effort that looked destined for the top corner.
Howe made two changes at the break, seeing Trevan Sanusi come on in Harrison’s place for another 45-minute cameo, while Greek stopper Odysseas Vlachodimos also replaced Dubravka in goal. The latter was called into action immediately and made a good save, tipping Brest’s edge of the box effort wide.
There was a penalty shout waved away moments later as Barnes went down in the box, then we saw Vlachodimos’ play sweeper-keeper soon after with a decisive piece of goalkeeping to cut out Brest’s dangerous ball in behind.
It was a slightly slow and flat start to the second half. Sanusi’s confidence on the ball is really encouraging, but showed the naivety of youth when attempting to take on two men midway inside our own half and ran into trouble. I love how direct and tricky he is, but you just know Eddie Howe will be telling him to cut that out after the game!
The crowd were then entertained by some Bruno trickery, as the Brazilian pulled off a Maradona spin inside his own box to break away after a dangerous Brest attack. The bloke really can do it all, with his piece of silky skill waking up the crowd with half an hour left to play.
Howe then made two more changes with just over 20 minutes remaining, as the lively Osula and captain Trippier replaced by Norwegian talent Travis Hernes and young right-back Harrison Ashby, who is back on Tyneside and likely to go out on loan after a spell at Swansea last season.
Kelly showed his class again to sweep up a dangerous ball in behind with minimal fuss, then Schar made a brilliant tackle to stop Brest getting in behind. He was hurt in the process and went down holding his Achilles, having done superbly to stop the Ligue 1 side getting a shot away as they burst into the box.
Thankfully, Schar was fine to continue but only for five minutes, as he went down again after treatment. He was replaced by U21 talent Ellis Stanton and will hopefully be fine, but it’s the last thing we wanted to see right now.
With just two minutes left to play, England U18 midfielder Anthony Munda replaced Joe Willock, who will benefit from 88 minutes in the tank after a lack of pre-season cost him early this time last year. A solid win, another clean sheet, promising home debuts for Osula, Kelly and Vlachodimos, but we’ll have to hope Schar’s knock is nothing to worry about.
Tripps and Bruno lift the @Sela Cup! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/pYwq5xCLSj
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) August 10, 2024
Next up for Eddie’s Mags, a week of training and hopefully a signing or two before we face Southampton next Saturday in our opening game of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
- 22nd July – SpVgg Unterhaching 1-3 Newcastle (⚽ Barnes ⚽ Murphy ⚽ Isak)
- 27th July – Hull City 0-2 Newcastle (⚽ Isak, ⚽ Murphy)
- 31st July – Urawa Red Diamonds 1-4 Newcastle (⚽ Isak, ⚽⚽ Murphy, ⚽ Hall)
- 3rd August – Yokohama F. Marinos 2-0 Newcastle
- 9th August – Newcastle 4-0 Girona (⚽⚽ Longstaff, ⚽ Murphy, ⚽ Gordon)
- 10th August – Newcastle Women 2-2 AC Milan Women (Won 4-3 on penalties)
- 10th August – Newcastle 1-0 Stade Brest (⚽ Barnes)
- 17th August – Newcastle vs Southampton (3pm)
That’s Palace whacking another £10m on Guehi if Schars injured then 😂
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good first half and a great goal by Barnes. As Sharpy said on the last thread, it will be great to see Barnes back to his best this season! I think he can be very good for us. Impressed with Osula too and Kelly looks assured in defence.
Thanks again for the excellent write up Olly! 👊
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Good pre season to be fair. Good minutes in the bank for the lads & a few surprise break throughs as well – Sanusi being the big one id say.
Time to turn all the attention to getting the players needed in now though – we could do with at least one in next week.
I’d be happy with either Guehi or Thiaw and Madueke on a loan to buy if we can’t get a RWF in permanently this window.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY i dont think our new guy is up to the job of getting players over the line Ashford never had trouble getting the job done hes getting done at M/U other PL clubs dont seem to having trouble hes all talk with no result
icedog(Quote)
Ice – thank you, where’ve you been mate?! I thought I was a lone voice!!.
I think it’s either he’s came in and changed the target plans so we were starting from scratch again – which is what I mean when I say he has no plan.
Or, he’s come in trying to make a good impression on the Saudis by driving the prices down as low as he can – Palace want £65m he’s offering £50m. We’ve seen that tactic with Cashley & it wasn’t pretty (as in we lost out on a lot of players).
Or, he simply isn’t capable of getting the deals done. Which I will say I think is the least likely based on his previous experience – but possible all the same.
It’s most likely a combo of 1 and 2. He worked for Saints who we know bought cheap & sold big. He also worked at Spurs with Levy and we know how he operates too.
I know one thing though – he needs to get his finger out!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sanusi is our new Maxi
kimtoon(Quote)
ATM Sanusi is our emergency third LW, behind Gordon and Barnes. By the end of the season I would expect him to be a decent backup LW, in time, who knows.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Kim – I actually think he’ll be better.
Already at his young age – his runs seem to be made with a purpose.
He’s also aware of where his team mates are so he realises the ball at the right time – most of the time.
I think there will be more of an end product from him too.
Of course he’s very young so still has mistakes in him.
But he has Gordon, Barnes, Isak & Murphy to learn from – players Howe & his coaches have improved in turn. So I think he can be developed into a very good player – if he can avoid those nasty injuries.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Some press saying Gordon may go on strike to get his move to L/pool ??
Icedog(Quote)
Ice – I think that’s mischief making mate.
Have Liverpool actually even shown an interest yet?! as in placed a bid.
They are after that Spanish lad but I’m yet to see anything concrete that they want Gordon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I could see something happening with Madueke this week now Chelsea have signed Neto.
Sharpy17(Quote)
The only way Gordon goes to Liverpool is if Jota comes the other way for me – massively reluctantly and only with the threat of Gordon causing problems would that be the deal that would see that happen.
Jota & £20m for Gordon or get lost!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree 100% mate
Icedog(Quote)
It’ll come as no surprise that I blame our lot for the situation regarding Gordon as well!!.
Had they had a plan & sorted things PSR wise before the deadline day scramble – they would not have had to offer Liverpool Gordon and open that can in the first place!!.
It was poor management to be in that position in the first place.
We can blame PSR but we knew that was in place & that clubs were being punished – so to be scrambling the way we were – not good.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Jota and 20m. A think gordon is 100m pound player. 50m and jota maybe. Be a joke if we lost him for 20m n jota. Diaz and money for gordon be better
David(Quote)
David – you might, but we offered Liverpool him at £75m when scrambling to beat the deadline for PSR.
I’d take Jota or Diaz to be fair – but only if we are backed into a deal … I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE GORDON.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I know he was a boyhood Liverpool fan & I know they’ve been class for the last 5 years or so in particular – but there is a question mark on how Slott will do.
But I don’t think it’s just football reasons. He’s got a young family & I imagine moving back where his & his missus parents are may have a big part to play too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If and a mean if we were goin to sell gordon to liverpool. It would be a all cash transfer for me. Then we could replace him with some 1 else. Jota isnt in gordons league. Gordon imo still has another gear to move up too.
David(Quote)
£55 mil is the toons final offer and wont shift from that,playing a hard line that could come unstuck imo
icedog(Quote)
I think £55m for Guehi is about right IMO. If they don’t accept then get Thiaw in and stop messing about. I’d also or alternatively take Andersen from Palace. Also a very good defender and cheaper that Guehi
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I think Palace want Chalobah from Chelsea as Guehis replacement – it might also be they won’t let him go until they get or know that deal is as good as done.
Either way, he has to put a deadline on this one & move on to a different target if Palace aren’t budging.
If not Guehi, we could get another top CB for £55m so be ready to move on … oh, and get a bleedin RWF while your on.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Once the transfer business is done I absolutely want the club asking questions though.
Why have Man Utd had different treatment to everyone else and how can Chelsea just keep buying players – Neto is their 10th signing THIS SUMMER.
The fact these rules have the cheek to claim ‘fair play’ is just a slap in the face.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I would prefer him to be honest mate
Icedog(Quote)
I agree £55m is a fair bid – but we can’t be sat waiting to hear back from them – we need to be exploring other options.
Apparently Fulham are trying to buy Anderson with a £40m price being talked about – submit that bid at the same time 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Apparently Thiaw didn’t want to come to us … didn’t want to give up European football. So for me then it’s between Guehi and Andersen both from CP.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly – it gets worse. If we’ve already had one CB knock us back are we really in a position to play hardball for a CB that does want to come?!.
Our failure to qualify for European football last season means we’ll have to be what’s needed to get the players in this summer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Completely agree mate, as I said the other day disgusting if true and there needs to be much more noise in the media about this.
kimtoon(Quote)
Seems like we may need to walk away from Guehi … ☹️
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly , yeah sadly it’s not looking likely now.
kimtoon(Quote)
Well it could if we meet Palaces valuation – but I think we probably knew we were wasting time with that 3rd bid.
I’ve seen the video of Parish speaking on the matter and have nothing but respect for what he said & how he spoke.
I hope we take a similar stance if Liverpool comes knocking for Gordon.
I reckon if Chelsea loan us Madueke to defer that spend to next summer – then maybe we can budget the higher fee for Guehi.
But if we need to buy the RWF then we won’t have the budget for the bigger fee & will need to move on.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I’d offer Chelsea £45m for a double deal of Chalobah & Madueke.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Logan Costa is still there for sale – £15 to £20m I bet gets him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Logan Costa? Where does he play? Don’t know him
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Toulouse mate. Hes still very raw and would be more of a gamble I guess – but not overly expensive.
At least Chalobah has PL experience and could be ready to go pretty much straight away.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Is anyone setting up a Fantasy Football league
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – I’ve got a team set up coz of a league at work, so if one was set up I’d hoy it in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think I’d rather see us spend the £20m on Logan Costa than £60m on Guehi to be honest.
Not that I don’t rate Guehi but there’s no profit to be had there.
We could sign Costa, Chalobah & Madueke for little more than what Guehi would cost.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just watched the Guehi interview.
I’m not sure he’s that bothered to be honest. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t expecting to hear him say I want out – but players that do tend to talk the move up – as in ‘they’re an excellent side’, ‘the fans are amazing’, ‘it’s no surprise the manager is being linked with England’ – lines like that.
He essentially had a 3 min love in with Parish & Palace.
I’m not saying he doesn’t want to move, but that interview left me feeling he wasn’t really bothered either way – and while that’s the case, it’s defo full whack or nowt.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Away to Forest
PremAndUp(Quote)
Fantasy Football League created
NUFCblog
Hope that’s OK Olly
PremAndUp(Quote)
What’s the code mate?
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Good man Prem 👏🏼
Olly will you get it out there when Prem sticks the code up – let’s get a blog league going
Sharpy17(Quote)
Hi mate.
Sorry only just seen this. I have a NUFCBlog.co.uk league already running – didn’t know you guys played!
Code to join – ujoycb
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
I don’t mate – I win!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thanks Olly! Joined. (Dragon Toon United ) 😂😂. Not played in years as I was always really ****, but thought I’d set up a team again. Probably still be ****. 😂😂😂
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Need to walk away from Guehi now
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Inclined to agree, he’s had a good season and euro’s but is he £65m worth ? not sure tbh .
kimtoon(Quote)