Magpies see off Rayo Vallecano as Howe’s men get back up to speed
A crowd of 34,956 were witness to an encouraging display from what was a surprisingly strong Newcastle starting eleven at St. James’ Park on Saturday afternoon.
Manager Eddie Howe opted to throw both Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope into the line-up, just a week on from the World Cup heartbreak the pair suffered as England bowed out of the competition at the hands of France.
Sean Longstaff, who has seen limited minutes this season, propelled the Magpies into an early lead just four minutes into the contest, before the hosts added a second when Chris Wood converted a second half penalty.
READ MORE: Newcastle United player ratings as Longstaff impresses in Rayo Vallecano win
Competitive football returns to the North East giants on the evening of Tuesday the 20th of December when they take on AFC Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
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Howe rebuffs England shouts
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has shot down and silenced suggestions that he may be the man to succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager.
Southgate has been subject to speculation ever since England’s exit from the World Cup this time last week, with many expecting the former defender to step down from his role after a largely successful six years in charge.
Amongst many others, Howe has had his name heavily mentioned as a possible candidate to replace Southgate, should he resign, but the former Bournemouth boss, who took over at St James’ Park in November of 2021, has been quick to dismiss these suggestions, stating: “My only focus is Newcastle.”
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Garang Kuol shines on full debut
Australian teenage talent, Garang Kuol, who will join Newcastle United in the upcoming January transfer window, made a strong impression on what was his first start for the Central Coast Mariners.
Having only previously played at a semi-professional level, Kuol joined the Mariners’ youth academy set-up in January of 2021 and has since caught the eye across several positive appearances off the bench.
The Yellow and Navy, having conceded early, came from behind to beat Sydney FC in the A-league with Kuol setting up Marco Túlio to level the scores in the 36th minute.
Kuol has now also debuted for his national team, coming on as a substitute in two of Australia’s 2022 World Cup run in Qatar, which saw them get knocked out in the Round of 16 by Argentina.
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Rondon has been released by Everton
Former Magpies favourite, Salomon Rondon, who enjoyed a successful spell at St. James’ Park in the 2018/19 campaign, has seen his contract mutually terminated by Everton.
Rondon was signed by Everton as a free agent in the summer of 2021 by then manager, Rafa Benítez, whom the Venezuelan also thrived under during his loan spell at Newcastle.
Since Benítez’ departure from Merseyside in January of this year however, Rondon has rarely seen more than a late cameo off the bench, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anthony Gordon and summer signing Neil Maupay, all ahead of Rondon in the Toffees pecking order.
The all-time record scorer for Venezuela, Rondon netted 11 goals in 32 appearances for the Magpies and, in an interview with The Athletic stated: “If [Newcastle had] said ‘Do you want to stay here?’, then of course I would have stayed.”
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