Newcastle United completed their pre-season with a 1-0 triumph over Stade Brest, protecting the Sela Cup for the 2nd successive summertime and including some phony flatware back to SJP.

Harvey Barnes’ first-half objective sufficed to see off the French side in a match that offered an excellent last test for Eddie Howe’s team ahead of the upcoming Premier League project starting next weekend at Southampton.

Howe made anticipated modifications to the lineup that beat Girona 4-0 the previous night, if just for physical fitness factors. The beginning XI included Fabian Schar, Miguel Almiron, Harvey Barnes, Bruno Guimaraes, Lloyd Kelly, and William Osula, the last one making his launching and making a fast effect by discovering the back of the web just for his objective to be prohibited for offside.

At halftime, Howe made 2 alternatives, causing goalie Odysseas Vlachodimos for Martin Dubravka and Trevan Sanusi for Harrison. Osula was subbed off in the 69th minute, getting a warm ovation from the St. James’ Park crowd and wanting to duplicate this kind of efficiency moving forward, not to mention with Callum Wilson nursing an injury and leaving the minute-door open for the beginner.

Osula’s efficiency highlighted his capacity as an important addition to the team now rather of just for the future, potentially matching recognized forwards Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson for rotational minutes.

The 2nd half saw less well-defined possibilities, with the video game slowly losing strength till the last whistle.

Veteran center-back Fabian Schar provided us the scare of the day late in the match when he was required off after sustaining a knock while obstructing a shot. Let’s hope absolutely nothing is incorrect with him and he can be on the pitch come Saturday, however if anything this revealed why NUFC must make certain to protect the finalizing of Crystal Palace’s protector Marc Guehi as quickly as possible and without a reason for stopping working to do so.

Howe stated after the video game, “Every season, there’s always that optimism, what could be? You never quite know how the season’s going to unfold. It’s an exciting time for everyone who’s with us to get going and show our qualities.”

With the pre-season now total, Newcastle will turn their focus to their Premier League opener versus Southampton on Aug. 17 far from SJP.