Gateshead 0-1 Newcastle – NUFC Match Ratings

An extremely humid Friday night friendly at Gateshead's international stadium saw Steve McClaren's Newcastle United on show for the first time since the former Derby boss took over at St James' Park. The Magpies set up with what looked like a slightly asymmetric 4-2-3-1 with Papiss Cisse leading the line up front, accompanied by Siem de Jong behind and Yoan Gouffran and Moussa Sissoko on the flanks. New signing Karl Darlow started in goal with his former Nottingham Forest teammate Jamaal Lascelles in front of him at centre half. McClaren and Ian Cathro's impact over the last few weeks did not go unnoticed. Without getting too carried away, the passing, ball retention, movement and pressing was noticeably different. In the first half Darlow was consistently distributing the ball to Daryl Janmaat and Massadio Haidara who would then look for either anchorman, (Jack Colback or Vurnon Anita) to collect and build an attack through the centre. The wide men would then push out to establish some width and open up space for Siem de Jong who played as No.10. It was refreshing to watch and nice to see a team buying into a philolosopy - something that has been missing for a long time at Newcastle United. Newcastle ended the half 1-0 up with a goal from Papiss Cisse from the penalty spot after Haidara was fouled in the box. In the second half McClaren switched the entire first eleven and played what resembled a 4-2-4 formation with Chieck Tiote and surprisingly Ayoze Perez making up the double pivot. Adam Armstrong, Emmanuel Riviere, Gabriel Obertan and Rolando Aarons played as a rigid four-way attacking collective with Aarons and Obertan staying wide and Armstrong and Riviere consistently switching between an attacking midfield and striker role. It wasn't anywhere near as effective and Gateshead enjoyed a promising spell during the second half. Newcastle held on to their first half lead and won the game 1-0.