Newcastle 4-0 Villarreal: Barnes scores twice as clinical Toon win Sela Cup in style
A superb end to a successful pre-season for Newcastle United, as Eddie Howe's Mags smashed Villarreal 4-0 to lift the Sela Cup at St James' Park.
In a feisty affair against last season's 5th placed side in La Liga, Jacob Murphy opened the scoring with a first half rocket before a Harvey Barnes brace and superb solo goal from Joelinton saw us rip the Spaniard's apart in a devastating second half display.
As expected, Howe made 11 changes from yesterday's 2-0 win over Fiorentina, handing a first home start to Harvey Barnes following his £38m move from Leicester
Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Sean Longstaff, Nick Pope, Callum Wilson and Dan Burn also returned, with Jacob Murphy filling in at right-back following an injury to Javier Manquillo.
STARTING XI: Pope – Murphy, Lascelles (c), Dummett, Burn – Longstaff, Bruno, Joelinton – Ritchie, Wilson, Barnes.
SUBS: Gillespie, De Bolle, Carlyon, Savage, J.Miley, Diallo, Turner-Cooke, Hackett, Ndiweni, Huntley, Parkinson, McArthur.
It was a fast start from Newcastle - who wore the brand new third kit and came out of the blocks flying. After Joelinton did well to win a free-kick down the right, Ritchie's half-cleared delivery fell to Murphy on the edge of the box, who shifted it onto his right and lashed a thunderous effort past Pepe Reina at the Leazes end and into the roof of the net. 1-0 Newcastle!
Fans inside St James' Park thought it was 2-0 on 10 minutes when Bruno's quick free-kick was turned in by Wilson, but the offside flag denied us a quickfire second against the La Liga.
In trademark fashion, Joelinton went into the book midway through the first half after one too many ticking offs from Anthony Taylor. Some things never change, showing our Brazilian battering ram was well and truly back on Tyneside!
Harvey Barnes started well, showing a nice mix of power, pace and directness as he drove into space, made good runs and linked up nicely with Joelinton down our left. The winger's movement in transition was noticeable, offering us an out ball and glimpse of why he regularly reached double figures for the Foxes.
We had the ball in the net once again just before the 30 minute mark, but Paul Dummett was adjudged to have fouled Reina before tapping into an empty net. Another few chances followed. First, Barnes' driving run fed Wilson - who was unable to get a shot away after taking it on the turn - then Ritchie forced Reina into a save after more slick approach play from Barnes and Wilson.
It was a feisty affair for a pre-season friendly and one Anthony Taylor was taking seriously, as the Premier League referee dished out SIX yellow cards in the opening 33 minutes, seeing Joelinton, Longstaff and Ritchie all go into the book.
Villarreal's first big chance of the half came soon after, as a defence splitting pass tested Murphy and Lascelles' recovery pace. Thankfully, both did well and Dummett was also on hand to cut out the loose ball, but it could've easily been 1-1 had the visitors been more ruthless.
There were no changes at the break from Eddie Howe and it didn't take long for another yellow to be brandished, as Dummett's mistimed sliding tackle was rightfully penalised just 90 seconds into the restart.
Our first effort of the second half came from the lively Barnes after some tenacious work from Bruno regained possession on half way. Joelinton worked the ball wide the winger, who cut in onto his right and fired an effort wide of Reina's post. Moments later, another turnover and perfect ball from Bruno created an ever bigger chance for our new No 15. This time, he was clean through and worked the ball onto his left, but his effort was too close to Reina and beaten away.
Straight down the other end, Lascelles was caught out by the giant Sorloth, allowing the giant Norwegian to burst clear. He only had Pope to beat, yet the former Palace loanee slide his low effort wide of Pope's far post. A let off for Newcastle, although Lascelles looked like he may have pulled something in the process.
A few chances followed for the Spaniards. First, Pope's outstretched leg was key to blocking Adriano's near post effort that looked to be heading in, then the resultant corner was could and should have been converted at the back post. Unlike yesterday's game, it was an action-packed start to the second half, as Barnes and the visitors both went close twice in the opening 10 minutes.
More changes followed from Villarreal. It looked like Lascelles would be forced off after receiving treatment, yet the skipper managed to soldier on in Schar's absence. Either way, it was another reminder of how much we need another centre-back.
Moments later, it was third time lucky for Barnes and our new boys first goal in a Newcastle United shirt. Wilson got in down the right and squared for Joelinton, who worked the ball to the left for Barnes. After firing one wide and another too close to Reina, this one was buried into the far corner, creating a lovely moment at the Gallowgate and a goal on his first appearance for "super Harvey Barnes" - a chant that soon worked its way around St James' Park!
The goal will be great for his confidence an hopefully a sign of things to come, but it was already clear that he was offering something different. Not only was he carrying the ball at pace, beating his man, creating space for teammates and getting shots away, his movement off the line offered something Saint-Maximin rarely did and another dynamic to our elusive, all-action attack.
Next up it was Joelinton who got in on the act, as the big man left the Villarreal midfield for dead before firing an edge of the box shot in off the post. He could've set up Barnes - who was available once again to his left - yet it was a stunning finish from big Joe. 3-0 Newcastle, but we weren't done there!
This time, it was Wilson who turned provider. Our No 9 burst down the right, picked his head up and weighted a low cross into that man Barnes, who did the rest with a smart low finish beyond Reina at the back post. 4-0 Newcastle!
A few late changes followed, as Barnes, Lascelles and Wilson were replaced by U21 trio Ben Parkinson, Remi Savage and Amadou Diallo. Barnes went off to a standing ovation - he was outstanding all afternoon - and 'Hey Callum Wilson' echoed around the stadium before the referee blew the final whistle, signalling the end of our pre-season schedule as we ended on a high as Sela Cup champions.
Murphy deserves credit for filling in impressively at right-back, big Joe and Bruno ran the show in midfield, Longstaff's dirty work was influential on his return, Pope made another important save before we ran riot and Wilson was a constant handful, as he ran the channels and created several openings for others.
Two days, two wins, no goals conceded and six goals scored, seeing Miggy bag his third of pre-season, Isak get in on the act, Anderson shine, Barnes bag a brace on his first home start, Murphy score a stunner and Joelinton produce another moment of magic of his own.
Next up, our first game of the new 2023/24 Premier League season, as Unai Emery's Aston Villa come to town next Saturday!
