In the club’s first preseason friendly tonight we continued where we left off from last season by winning this preseason game.
And with Dwight Gayle fully fit again he got a brace in the first half that had Newcastle leading 2-1 at the interval, with all goals coming in the first 24 minutes of the game.
There’s no doubting Dwight’s natural goalscoring ability and this lad might just shock us all this coming season by the number of goals he scores, but we have to keep him fit and somehow guard against those hamstring problems.
Newcastle started this game like a steam train and could have scored twice before Dwight scored after just three minutes with a nice finish from the former Crystal Palace striker, after he was played in nicely by Siem de Jong who linked up well with Dwight tonight.
And that’s got to be good news for Newcastle fans.
Mo Diame in action at Tynescastle tonight
Then Hearts were awarded a penalty, afrter Haidara tripped Walker in the box, but Gonclaves blazed wildly over the bar and then shortly after that miss – the home side leveled the scores after 20 minutes when the impressive Jamie Walker scored.
That man Gayle put Newcastle right back on top just four minutes later from a corner taken by Jonjo Shelvey and Dwight headed the ball nicely past goalkeeper Jack Hamilton.
Gayle can score with either foot and with his head too, so under Rafa’s guidance this lad could become a real hero – again – for the coming season.
What number does he wear again?
🙂
It was 2-1 at the break and on came new signing Florian Lejeune for his first game for his new club at the beginning of the second half.
Florian looked comfortable at the back for Newcastle in the second half as Rafa also gave games to Aleksandar Mitrovic, Achraf Lazaar, Henri Saivet and Jesus Gamez.
All four players face uncertain futures at the club and must fo well in these preseason games.
Other players came on too so Rafa gave a game to the whole squad and that was good.
But as could be expected, with so many changes made in the final 45 minutes, the game became disjointed as often happens in these early preseason friendly games.
It was fantastic to hear the 1,468 fans Newcastle fans who traveled to Edinburgh chant “there’s only one Bradley Lowery” and the whole Tynecastle crowd joined in.
That’s in memory of the brave and courageous 6 year-old Sunderland fan who sadly passed away last week and whose funeral was this morning.
Bradley remains an inspiration to us all because of that tremendous smile of his and his fantastic courage in adversity for one so very young.
Rest in Peace Bradley – we love you.
===
This Newcastle team started the game like a whirlwind in the first half and we hit the crossbar twice and the game could have been over in the first 45 minutes, but we could only convert two of the many chances that were created.
Sound familiar?
Hearts played well but we hung on for the win.
Rafa may even be pleased after the game.
🙂
Teams:
Hearts: Hamilton, Smith, Smith-Brown, Nowak, Hughes, Berra, Walker, Buaben, Stockton, Cowie, Goncalves.
Newcastle: Elliot (Woodman, 63), Clark (Dummett, 46), Lascelles (Lejeune, 46), Mbemba (Hanley, 62), Haidara (Colback, 62), Aarons (Gamez, 46), Shelvey (Saivet, 46), Diame (Armstrong, 62), Atsu (Perez, 46), De Jong (Lazaar, 75), Gayle (Mitrovic, 46).
Goals: Gayle 3, 24, Walker 20
Referee: William Collum (Glasgow)
Attendance: 10,001 (1,468 Newcastle)
47 comments so far
jimmysmith
Jul 15, 2017 at 2:23 AM
Comment #41Disagree that we are necessarily short at 10. DeJong, Perez and even Diame as 3rd choice behind a top notch centre forward is very promising proposition. The pre season will tell us if DeJong is part of the solution.
jimmysmith
Jul 15, 2017 at 2:30 AM
Comment #42Saivet put in an impressive turn at Man U at Old Trafford last term in the later stages of the Europa league, playing in the hole and between the lines.
U.S Magpie
Jul 15, 2017 at 4:20 AM
Comment #43This was the only thing I could find that showed the game a little. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3lNbStB2og
Not match of the day I know but at least you can see some of the goals etc.
Bobbybee
Jul 15, 2017 at 5:01 AM
Comment #44Talked about De Jong the other day, with his ability to create himself time on the ball when he featured alongside Arma for the U23 side on another of his injury comebacks. The way he played the young lad in with some superbly balls through the channels for him to run onto and score. Well, last night he displayed that talent again which resulted in the first goal for Gayle.
A beautifully weighted ball set Gayle free and his natural ability did the rest.
Of course the 64k dollar question is ‘can he remain fit enough to exhibit that quality during the forthcoming season’?
If last night proved anything it is what we all knew before he signed – he has the talent to make an impact in the PL. If his body can hold out, then we have a winner on our hands.
Let’s hope this season he can make that talent show. With money not being readily available, he could be the answer to our No10 problem. Fingers crossed.
beermonkey
Jul 15, 2017 at 5:17 AM
Comment #45Bobby
Rafa did ok working with gayle and his dodgy hamstrings
Him and krul coming back from long term injuries rafa knew they wouldn’t hit the ground running and loaned them out
After long lay off players often break downow again
I am sure rafa and his team can manage Dejong to get the best out of him. I would be disappointed if Dejong goes given what he cost us
Not rewriting but forget krul as I don’t think he is in rafas plans
It’s to early I would blame tit that booked a course over an hr away and a stupid tee time but it was me
Mag52
Jul 15, 2017 at 5:50 AM
Comment #46.
Lesh.
Sadly those who are looking towards a bonanza of transfer activity this time next year, should we survive in the premiership, are likely to be disappointed.
Fat Ash will come up with a few reasons why players can’t be bought, you can bank on it.
DubaiMicky
Jul 15, 2017 at 6:12 AM
Comment #47Pleased to see SDJ had a great game, he and Gayle working very well together – he does have a point to prove and hopefully he’ll be our top number 10.