“Easy way” as Anthony Gordon make clear Verdict on Liverpool link as player reveal next destination to be…….. After BIG St. James Park secret as the Magpie comfortably beat Girona.
Sean Longstaff’s double, along with goals from Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon, gave the Magpies a commanding lead by halftime at St James’ Park.
Here are five takeaways from the opening game of the Sela Weekender.
Pre-season results can be misleading. Just as no one at Newcastle was overly concerned after their 2-0 loss to Yokohama F. Marinos in sweltering conditions last week, no one is getting too excited after their dominant performance against Girona on Friday night.
However, Newcastle’s first-half display was highly impressive. The team showed their hunger right from the start, with Jacob Murphy rallying his teammates as they took the field: “It’s go time boys! Come on!”
Newcastle started strong, scoring just four minutes in when Murphy found space after beating Oriol Romeu and set up Alexander Isak, who then assisted Tino Livramento. Livramento calmly squared the ball to Sean Longstaff, who finished past Gazzaniga to make it 1-0.
The Magpies quickly doubled their lead against a stunned Girona. Joelinton’s tenacity allowed Isak to scoop the ball into the box, where Lewis Hall headed it on to an unmarked Murphy, who fired home for 2-0.
But Newcastle wasn’t done. Anthony Gordon added a third just minutes later after Joelinton won the ball and fed Isak, who played a perfectly weighted pass to Gordon. Despite being off-balance, Gordon slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Girona looked ready to leave after Isak won a penalty in the 19th minute, but the striker missed after Gazzaniga guessed right and made the save.
Newcastle’s fourth came just before halftime when Longstaff volleyed in after Joelinton’s header hit the crossbar.
Geordies relish their return to St James’ Park
The club’s ambition is clear: after previously being coy about their targets, Newcastle’s players and staff are united in their aim to finish in the top four this season. The match against Girona, one of two crucial pre-season tests against Champions League qualifiers, was a good benchmark.
Girona, who finished third in La Liga last season, were missing key players like Savio and Artem Dovbyk, while Viktor Tsyhankov was also absent. Despite their recent success, the visitors were no match for Newcastle, who blew them away with their intensity, leading 3-0 within 16 minutes. The Geordies even taunted Girona with chants of “Are you Sunderland in disguise?” in reference to their red and white kit.
Anthony Gordon earns praise and shows commitment to Newcastle
Geordies had waited 91 long days to see Newcastle play at St James’ Park again, and Anthony Gordon was the name on everyone’s lips when the team sheets were announced. Making his first pre-season appearance since returning from the Euros, Gordon showed that his focus remains on Newcastle despite speculation linking him to Liverpool earlier in the summer.
Eddie Howe had assured fans that Gordon was fully committed to the club, and the forward proved it on Friday night. He received the loudest cheer when the teams were announced and backed it up on the pitch, contributing to Newcastle’s third goal and tracking back to help defensively. By halftime, Howe had seen enough, substituting Gordon as planned to give youngster Trevan Sanusi a chance.
Hints for the upcoming season?
Newcastle still need a couple of quality signings before the transfer window closes, but Eddie Howe already has some tough selection decisions to make ahead of the season opener against Southampton. One dilemma is whether to start Tino Livramento or Kieran Trippier at right-back, and whether to choose Sean Longstaff or Joe Willock in midfield.
Livramento and Longstaff both made strong cases on Friday, as did the entire team. Howe may have offered a few clues for the Southampton match, with Dan Burn starting at center-back instead of left-back, allowing Lewis Hall to continue on the flank. It’s also possible that Friday’s front three of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, and Jacob Murphy could start the season opener.
However, Howe emphasized that no one is guaranteed a spot, and the likes of Fabian Schar, Lloyd Kelly, Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Joe Willock, Miguel Almiron, and Harvey Barnes will have their chances in Newcastle’s final pre-season match against Brest on Saturday.
Another unforgettable night for Newcastle’s youngsters
It may have been just a friendly, but try telling that to Jamie Miley, who got the opportunity to start for his boyhood club at St James’ Park, a moment that will surely stay with him forever.
Miley didn’t look out of place, delivering a tireless performance in midfield and earning praise from both Eddie Howe and assistant Jason Tindall before being substituted for Ben Parkinson midway through the second half.
It was a memorable night for several other young players as well. Trevan Sanusi impressed off the bench, causing problems down the left and creating several chances late on, while Ellis Stanton and Travis Hernes both made appearances in the dying moments.