Newcastle United beat neighbours Gateshead 5-1 in a behind closed doors friendly game at Benton in the sunshine to start pre-season in good form.
Goals from Matt Ritchie, Joelinton, Miguel Almirón (2) and Sean Longstaff secured the win as Howe played two different sides to give everybody at least 45 minutes. Only Kell Watts played the full 90 minutes and it took Newcastle 34 minutes to break down the Tynesiders on a warm day at the club's training centre.
New signing Sven Botman did not feature in the emphatic win while there was a chance for Matty Longstaff despite the midfielder being linked with Sheff Wed in recent days. Eddie Howe took the opportunity to look at Elliot Anderson as promised earlier this year.
READ MORE: Newcastle United transfer news LIVE as Real Madrid star linked
The opener came when Anderson crossed from the left for Matt Ritchie to convert as he beat the club's on loan goalie Dan Langley after taking a touch first. Two minutes later Sean Longstaff won a penalty before Joelinton stepped up to convert it and make it 2-0.
After the break Paul Blackett pulled one back for Gateshead to reduce arrears as he replaced substitute goalkeeper Karl Darlow. Sean Longstaff then sent a penalty kick over the bar after Joelinton had been fouled.
But Miguel Almiron made it 3-1 after Emil Krafth played him in with 10 minutes to go. In the closing stages Almiron made it 4-1 to grab his second of the day.
And then Sean Longstaff made it 5-1 when he rounded the keeper in the dying stages after great work by Joelinton. It may have only been against a fifth-tier side but bearing in mind Newcastle began last season with a 1-0 loss at non-league York City, there is already a small sign of progress.
UNITED: Dubravka, Trippier, Lascelles, Watts, Dummett, Shelvey, Anderson, Willock, Ritchie, Fraser, Wilson.
Second half: Darlow, Krafth, Watts, Burn, Targett, M Longstaff, Joelinton, S Longstaff, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Murphy.
READ NEXT
Former Newcastle junior set to get debut under Jurgen Klopp
Eddie Howe's challenge as he looks to trim down squad
The Magpies quoted crazy fee for Southampton star
Jamal Lewis' big question as he returns to Newcastle training ground
