ALEXANDER Isak and Jacob Murphy got the goals as Newcastle continued their preparations for the coming Premier League season with a 2-0 victory away at Championship side Hull City.
It was a useful outing for the Magpies ahead of their trip to Japan, where they’ll play two more games.
Here’s how the game played out at the MKM Stadium and the main talking points:
ABSENTEES AND HOW NEWCASTLE SET UP
With Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock and Lloyd Kelly not involved at the MKM Stadium and the game coming too soon for the likes of Fabian Schar and Miguel Almiron after their return from an extended break, Eddie Howe was left with a shortage of senior players for the trip to Hull, more evidence of the need to further strengthen the squad with new signings in the coming weeks.
The absence of several senior stars meant a first start for Jamie Miley and Lewis Hall having to be used in an unfamiliar holding midfield role. Howe was still able to name several of his stars, with Alexander Isak, Joelinton, Nick Pope and Harvey Barnes all involved.
The bench wasn’t too dissimilar to what we saw at times last season: more than one goalkeeper and a load of youngsters. Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy were both among the substitutes, as was Garang Kuol.
MURPHY NEWCASTLE’S BEST
Murphy deserved an assist for a teasing early cross that somehow evaded everyone in front of goal.
None of his teammates made the most of that delivery but Isak wasn’t going to waste two chances and when Murphy teed up another opportunity after more good work down the right just after the half hour mark, the Swede was on the spot to instinctively poke home.
From creator to scorer, Murphy added the second five minutes before half-time, and while the goal was a shambolic mess from Hull’s perspective, the 29-year-old deserved to get his name on the scoresheet.
Matty Jacob and Ryan Giles had a rotten time on the left flank for Hull and Murphy was again picked out in space in the box. He attempted another teasing cross that somehow evaded everyone, including the home keeper Ivor Pandur, and found the bottom corner.
Pandur had made a superb pointblank save to deny Joelinton early in the half, which was the second time the Brazilian had gone close after getting his first sight of goal after just 25 seconds.
The pace of the first half – a plod – was nothing like you’d see from Newcastle in a competitive game but they were much the stronger and better side and good value for their half-time advantage.
Hall adapted impressively in holding midfield and both Joelinton and Jamal Lewis, to his left, played well.
POPE CLASS
Between Newcastle’s first half goals, Nick Pope pulled off a stunning save that he’ll do better to top in the coming campaign.
A cross from the right found its way to Regan Slater, who brought the ball down with his left foot then, with his right, lashed a strike from inside 12 yards that looked destined for the net, but Pope somehow kept it out.
After playing such a starring role in Newcastle’s 2022/23 season, Pope will be desperate to put the frustrations of last term behind him, and this was a reminder – not that one was he needed – of his superb shot-stopping ability.
Pope’s new deputy Vlachodimos was introduced in the second half and quickly called into action, saving well to keep out Abdus’ strike from distance.
