Newcastle United contested a much-criticised friendly against Tottenham in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday morning.
The likes of Kieran Trippier spoke out against Newcastle traveling so far for this game, as well as Friday’s friendly against an A-League All Stars XI.
As you can imagine, England manager Gareth Southgate was not all too pleased about it either, given the close proximity to Euro 2024.
While Anthony Gordon didn’t travel before being named in England’s provisional squad for this summer’s tournament in Germany, Trippier was very much in action.
Clearly, friendlies – particularly between seasons – are not the most important thing in the world. Still, Eddie Howe went strong and named many of his big names in the starting lineup.
James Maddison gave Spurs the lead before Alexander Isak responded to send the teams into the interval on level terms.
The match then went to penalties, which Newcastle won 5-4.
Here, Geordie Boot Boys deliver their player ratings…
Nick Pope – 6
Had nothing to do until his sloppy pass out from the back allowed James Maddison to score.
No doubt a fine shot stopper but distribution is an issue and that perhaps explains the links with Aaron Ramsdale, given his ability on the ball has been praised.
Did well to deny Brennan Johnson from close range.
Kieran Trippier – 6
Much more composed than in recent weeks, albeit in a game where it didn’t really matter. A useful exercise for him ahead of potentially playing for England at left-back this summer, given Luke Shaw’s injury.
Was, however, lucky not to have given away a penalty on Heung-min Son. Subbed off early.
Emil Krafth – 5
Dreadful pass out from the back almost led to a penalty in the opening stages. Did well to deny Emerson Royal from close range after initially being caught out.
Dejan Kulusevski had a bit of joy running off him, while Maddison got past him far too easily for the goal.
Dan Burn – 7
Did well to track Kulusevski after Krafth was caught out. Cut out Son’s cross at the back post as Spurs started to up the tempo in the first-half.
Even had his shirt ripped, such was the extent of his defending.
Lewis Hall – 7
Final ball let him down in the first-half. Dangerous enough until that point.
Bruno Guimaraes – 7
Played some brilliant balls out to Trippier and was involved in the build-up to the goal. Not his very best performance but easy to understand why, with the Copa America less than a month away.
Definitely had more of a say in the second-half.
Elliot Anderson – 6
Tidy on the ball without ever really doing too much. Would be harsh to judge his end product in a post-season friendly but far more conviction will be required.
Joelinton – 7
As dynamic as ever, even when the stakes are low. Pressed well throughout, when this was probably a game he didn’t really have to.
Required some treatment on a knock and performance was subdued from there.
Miguel Almiron – 5
Overran a ball from Trippier in the opening 10 minutes with a poor first touch to squander a decent opening. Unclear as to why he thought he could beat Micky van de Ven for pace at times…
Alexander Isak – 7
Went close early on with a brilliant effort outside the box. Having destroyed Van de Ven during their last meeting, the two appeared to joke when the Spurs defender beat Isak for pace just before half-time.
Isak then got Newcastle back into the game by tapping in Jacob Murphy’s cross after Brandon Austin had initially cut it out.
Harvey Barnes – 5
Pretty ineffective and a far cry from Anthony Gordon’s industry on the left. Put one just wide only minutes into the second-half.
Subs:
Jacob Murphy – 7 (for Trippier ’35)
Twice caught out by Son only minutes after coming on. Did well for Isak’s goal.
Callum Wilson – 4 (for Isak ’45)
Some decent flashes during such a quick cameo. Couldn’t really do much else.
Joe White – 6 (for Joelinton ’45)
Caught on the ball a bit too often. Scored his penalty well.
Alex Murphy – 6 (for Lewis Hall ’62)
Wasn’t tested too much but easy to easy why Howe rates him so highly. Does not look out of place.
Harrison Ashby – 5 (for Miguel Almiron ’62)
Not a huge amount he could do with the game lacking such rhythm. Won the shootout.
Amadou Diallo – 4 (for Harvey Barnes ’62)
Was about as effective as Barnes. Lovely spot-kick.
Garang Kuol – 4 (for Callum Wilson ’70)
Nice to see him get a big reaction from the crowd but there wasn’t much to get excited about after that until he scored his penalty.
Lucas De Bolle – 4 (for Bruno Guimaraes ’70)
Hard to step into the shoes of Guimaraes.
Ciaran Thompson – 4 (for Emil Krafth ’77)
Good experience for him. Nothing more than that.
Dylan Charlton – 5 (for Lewis Hall ‘77)
Some decent interventions as Spurs looked for a winner.
Travis Hernes – 4 (for Elliot Anderson ’77)
Couldn’t get into the game at such a late stage.
Mark Gillespie – 6 (for Nick Pope ’86)
Nothing to do until he saved Tottenham’s first penalty.
Ben Parkinson – 4 (for Jacob Murphy ’86)
Did not have enough time to make any meaningful impact. Decent penalty.
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