Here are your Newcastle United evening headlines on Sunday, 18 December.
Newcastle owners' dream, exciting 'you're not ready for what's coming' warning and new mentality
Newcastle United finished up their post-World Cup break on Saturday afternoon with a 2-1 friendly win over Spanish side Rayo Vallecano at St James' Park.
Goals from Sean Longstaff and Chris Wood saw the Magpies on their way, in a game that also saw the return of England duo Kieran Trippier and Nick Pope to Newcastle's starting XI.
That Trippier and Pope started this friendly - less than a week after returning from the World Cup - shows you how seriously Eddie Howe took Saturday's game.
READ MORE: Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe provides fitness updates on Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson
Following eight victories in nine competitive games in all competitions before the break, Howe admitted it was 'hugely important' to continue to win when, in a previous era, these exhibition games were not taken quite so seriously.
"The character of the players is so important," the Newcastle boss told reporters after the match.
"These games are not always easy. You've got to try and generate the mentality from within that you want to perform well and you want to win, and I thought the players carried that through really well."
Garang Kuol passes 'big test' ahead of Newcastle transfer amid exciting prediction
Garang Kuol was handed a 'big test' on his full A-League debut and registered an assist ahead of his Newcastle United transfer.
The Australian wonderkid featured for 67 minutes as Central Coast Mariners earned a comeback 2-1 victory over Sydney FC on Saturday.
Kuol proved a constant menace to opposing full-back Diego Caballo, and almost scored with his final touch of the contest as his curled effort went narrowly wide.
Mariners boss Nick Montgomery admits he was careful with the Kuol's minutes ahead of the World Cup, where the young forward featured twice off the bench.
He told Australian outlet The West: "I had to protect him heading into the World Cup. It was a big test for Garang to start a game, there are a few actions where you can tell he's still a kid who's growing."
What happened to the 12 French players signed by Newcastle United under Alan Pardew
Alan Pardew signed no fewer than 12 French players during his reign as Newcastle boss, with five arriving in one transfer window in the winter of 2013.
And while there were success stories in the shape of Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sissoko and Loic Remy, there were less successful cases with the likes of Remy Cabella and Emmanuel Riviere.
Ahead of France's clash against Argentina in the World Cup final this Sunday, ChronicleLive looks back at how Pardew's French signings fared, and where they are now.
READ NEXT
Gary Neville welcomes 'step forward' after Newcastle owners made 'top job' move that he liked
Jamie Carragher calls for boycott as FIFA announce new tournament that could include Newcastle
"An incredible guy" - Allan Saint-Maximin has high praise for Newcastle transfer target
Warrior admits it was a 'shame' Eddie Howe couldn't save Newcastle career after Bruce's 'vision'
Neil Warnock backs Newcastle to finish top four but tips big rival to drop out
