Newcastle United player ratings: 9/10 'machine' & 'superb' Anthony Gordon in 4-0 win vs Girona

All four goals came in the first-half as Sean Longstaff’s brace was added to by goals from Jacob Murphy and the returning Anthony Gordon.

The Magpies are back in action in less than 24 hours time against Stade Brestois when head coach Eddie Howe will field a different XI ahead of next Saturday’s Premier League opener at home to Southampton.

Gordon was handed his first start of pre-season just days after returning from the extended break he was given for his involvement at Euro 2024 with England.

Sean Longstaff gave Newcastle the lead just four minutes in a well-worked goal involving Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak and Tino Livramento. Murphy drove forward after a change of pace in the middle of the park to find the run of Isak. The Swede then played a short pass to Livramento, who set up Longstaff.

Jacob Murphy then doubled United’s advantage with a stunning finish at the backpost. It came after Isak’s cross was flicked into Murphy’s path by Lewis Hall. And in the blink, it was 3-0 when Isak played in Gordon, who slotted the ball into the bottom right corner.

Newcastle were running riot but squandered the opportunity to make it 4-0 inside the opening 20 minutes. Some superb skill from Isak saw him brought down in the box but he couldn’t convert the penalty after Paulo Gazzaniga guessed the right way.

The fourth goal did arrive as the first-half reached its closing stages. Murphy’s cross was headed onto the crossbar by Joelinton before Longstaff reacted quickest to belt the ball home for his second of the evening.

Here’s our Newcastle United player ratings - live from St James’ Park.