Newcastle United headed into the three-week international break with a 2-1 victory against Hull City at St James’ Park.
Goals from Joe Willock and Lewis Hall put the Magpies 2-0 up inside the opening seven minutes before Yoane Wissa squandered the chance to make it 3-0 before half-time after his penalty was saved by the Hull goalkeeper.
Mohamed-Ali Cho pulled one back for the visitors in the 67th minute and pushed for an equaliser against a tiring Newcastle, who were without multiple senior players. However, Matthias Jaissle’s side held out for their second win of the new Premier League campaign,
Jaissle named two enforced changes from Monday’s 4-1 defeat at Leeds United as Steur and Willock came in for Amar Dedic and Nico Gonzalez.
The Magpies were also without Tino Livramento, Jacob Ramsey, Joelinton, Dan Burn and Will Osula, which saw Jaissle draft in 17-year-olds Mason Miley, Michael Mills, Kyran Thompson into the squad alongside 19-year-old Vakhtang Salia and 21-year-old Miodrag Pivas.
Despite the number of absences, Jaissle’s men got off to the perfect start with two quick-fire goals. Harvey Barnes assisted both as Willock and Hall found the net. Wissa had the chance to put Newcastle 3-0 up in first-half stoppage time but saw his spot-kick saved by goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis.
Hull pulled one back in the 67th minute through substitute Cho and pushed for an equaliser but Newcastle managed to hold out.
The lack of options off the bench impacted Newcastle in the second half, as Jaissle made just two subs: Fabian Schar for Sean Steur and Aladj Bamba for Willock.
Here are our Newcastle United player ratings:
21. Michael Mills - unused sub
Getty Images