Newcastle United picked up where they left off before the World Cup break by turning on the style in Riyadh with a 5-0 win over Al-Hilal.
Two goals each from Joelinton and Miguel Almiron plus a late strike from Dylan Stephenson completed the rout in the Middle East - and it meant that Newcastle picked up the Diriyah Cup to cap a positive trip to Saudi Arabia.
United lined up in their green and white change kit against the Saudi Arabia champions Al-Hilal in Riyadh on a balmy night in the Middle East. Newcastle also went with their usual 4-3-3 formation with a patched-up team due to the amount of stars at the World Cup.
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The Magpies almost went in front after six minutes when Chris Wood slipped in Jacob Murphy but his delicate lift over the keeper was claimed on the line by the Abdulla Almuaiouf. But despite a couple of openings for the home team, Newcastle went ahead two minutes later when Murphy's floated cross from the right was powered home by the head of Joelinton.
On 24 minutes Newcastle were grateful to debutant Loris Karius who kept out ex-Watford star Odion Ighalo from close range. Joelinton then saw an effort saved after good play from Willock and Murphy on the half-hour mark but the keeper saved well for the home side.
Six minutes before the break Chris Wood went down with an injury and went off holding his back, replaced by Sean Longstaff with Allan Saint-Maximin switched to a central role. Willock was on hand to thread a fine ball through for Joelinton two minutes before the break before the Brazilian produced a scruffy finish.
The ball was bundled home and barely hit the back of the net but Newcastle went in good value for a 2-0 lead. Although the firm advantage did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the home fans who maintained a superb and jumping atmosphere throughout the night.
Newcastle made two changes at the break with Miguel Almiron coming on for Murphy and former Carlisle stopper Mark Gillespie replacing the impressive German keeper Karius.
Almiron did not take long to get in on the act after curling a left-footed effort on to the crossbar with the ball spinning into the air and just beating sub Longstaff who was eagerly on the follow up.
Ighalo then entered the book after a bad challenge on Almiron who had his heel scraped by the former Hornets player. Joelinton then retired early for the night after what looked like a strain, with Elliot Anderson replacing him. Burn and Fraser replaced Willock and Botman on the hour mark before Joe White replaced Shelvey.
Anderson came close to extending the lead on 74 minutes when getting time in the box but his effort struck the bae of the post and rolled across the six-yard area. But United were not denied after Almiron nicked the ball in the final third before weaving into the box and slotting it calmly past the keeper to make it 3-0.
Youngsters Stephenson and Alex Murphy came on for the closing stages but it was Almiron who had the away fans on their feet again. The goal came courtesy of a superb assist from Longstaff who clipped it to the back post for Almiron who applied a side-footed volley past Almuaiouf to make it four!
Al-Hilal pushed for a consolation but Ighalo was denied by Gillespie after saving with his feet. With four minutes to go though Newcastle went 5-0 up as Fraser crossed to the back post for Stephenson who applied the finish for his first senior goal.
