Newcastle United rounded-off their preparations for the season restart with a 2-1 win over La Liga side Rayo Vallecano.
Eddie Howe’s side opened the scoring four minutes in through Sean Longstaff before Chris Wood added a second from the penalty spot midway through the second-half.
Matt Targett scored an own goal with 15 minutes remaining but United held on for a morale-boosting victory ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup last 16 clash against Bournemouth at St James’ Park.
Howe named a strong starting XI. Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier returned following their return from Qatar, with the likes of Sven Botman, Allan Saint-Maximin, Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Targett also featuring.
Mark Gillespie was the most experienced figure on the substitutes bench, with the rest made up of under-21s players.
The Magpies grabbed an early lead four minutes in when Trippier’s cross was half-cleared to Jacob Murphy. He found Longstaff in the box, who fired home emphatically into the roof of the net.
A foul on Joe Willock in the box saw the referee point to the penalty spot and Wood stepped up to make it 2-0. Vallecano then pulled one back via Targett’s own goal.
Our writer Jordan Cronin was at St James’ Park - and here’s his Newcastle United player ratings:
9. Jacob Murphy - 7
Claimed a second assist in as many games to set up Longstaff. Had a shot well saved on 30 minutes in a energetic display. Photo: Ian MacNicol
10. Allan Saint-Maximin - 7
Started bright and was direct by taking on the Vallecano defence. Made plenty of runs down the middle and was frustrated not to be found on a couple occasions. Photo: George Wood
11. Chris Wood - 8
Surprisingly dropped deep and linked up well with those who ran beyond him. Deserved his goal with an emphatic penalty to cap off an impressive display. | Getty Images
12. Dylan Stephenson (on for Wood, 77) - N/A
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