Eddie Howe watches on as Newcastle United Women record historic AC Milan win

Elysia Boddy handed the Lady Magpies an early lead but her stunning strike was cancelled out by Nikola Karczewska and Valentina Cernoia before half-time.

The game was heading towards a Milan win before Amy Andrews equalised in the closing stages. United then won 4-3 in the shootout following a save from goalkeeper Hannah Hawkins.

The clash against Milan marked a first Newcastle United appearance at St James’ Park for Demi Stokes following her summer move. Stokes spent nine seasons at Manchester City and has been capped 69 times by England.

Milan finished sixth in Serie A last season and it was the visitors that started the game on top, although Hannah Hawkins was largely untested in goal during the first 15 minutes.

It was Newcastle that opened the scoring through Boddy’s stunning effort. Having picked up the ball on the left, Boddy shifted it onto her right foot and hit a sumptuous effort into the far top corner.

But the lead lasted a matter of minutes when Karczewska equalised. A floated ball over the top evaded Stokes as Karczewska bundled the ball home.

Milan then took the lead moments later with Cernoia scoring from close-range before United were denied a leveller when Rachel Furness’ header was cleared off the line.

Manager Becky Langley made two changes at the break and was forced into another five minutes later when Shania Hayles, who was bright in the opening stages, limped off.

Stokes saw a shot saved whilst Jasmine McQuade saw her long range effort blocked as the hosts pushed for an equaliser.

And their persistence paid off with just three minutes to go as Andrews seized on a lapse in the Milan defence to tuck home an effort and send the game to penalties.

Newcastle then triumphed 4-3 on penalties to lift the first-ever inaugural Women’s Sela Cup. Men’s head coach Eddie Howe watched the first-half alongside member of his backroom team before retreating to the tunnel to prepare for his own Sela Cup clash versus Stade Brestois.

Newcastle United Women: Hannah Hawkins, Demi Stokes, Elysia Boddy (81’ Gibson), Shania Hayles (51’ Kacie), Katie Barker (46’ Haywood), Deanna Cooper, Amy Andrews, Rachel Furness (67’ Keegan-Stobbs), Charlotte Potts (81’ Watt), Beth Lumsden (46’ McQuade), Lia Cataldo (81’ Greenwood) Unused substitutes: Grace Donnelly, Claudia Moan.