Newcastle produced a rampant first half display in their penultimate pre-season outing as they thrashed La Liga side Girona 4-0 on Friday. (More Football News)
The Magpies blitzed their opponents in the opening 45 minutes, with Sean Longstaff, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon giv𒅌ing the hosts a 3-0 lead after just 15 minutes.
Longstaff notched his brace before the interval to secure the Magpies' first win in their two pre-season fixtures taking place at St. James' Par🙈k this weekend.
In a frantic start to proceedings, Longsta💯ff opened the scoring in the third minute, with Murphy adding Newcastle's second with a fierce strike off the crossbar.
A mistake by David Lopez allowed Alexand🐲er Isak to pick out Gordon two minute✱s later, composing himself before sending a left-footed strike into the far corner.
Isak had the chance to increase the hosts' advantage in the 21st minute after being brought down in the box, but saw his pena🍎lty saved by Paulo Gazzaniga♌.
The first half rout was complete after Joelinton saw his heade♔d effort hit the crossbar, only for the rebound to be volleyed home by Longstaff.
Murphy and Isak squandered opp🍌ortunities to increase their advantag🌃e in the second half, but the damage was done in the first 45 against the La Liga side.
Newcastle conclude their pre-season preparations against French side Brest on Saturday ahead of their Premierও League opener against Southampton next weeke🃏nd.
Data Debrief: Magpies on fire, but should have been more
Newcastle would have been expecting a tougher test from a side who will play Champions League football next season, and 💧should have won by a more handsome scoreline.
The Magpies recorded an expected goals (xG) of 3.24, an underperformance of 0.76, with 11 of their 20 shots on target, while also mis♊sing four big chances.
