Yoane Wissa scored twice off the bench to hand Matthias Jaissle victory in his first pre-season friendly as Newcastle United head coach, a 2-1 win over Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium.
Valencia took the lead through a curling effort from Filip Ugrinic before their captain Jose Gaya was sent off for a bad tackle on Anthony Elanga. Substitute Wissa then equalised with a calm finish from close range before putting Newcastle in front after new signing Bazoumana Toure unselfishly squared the ball to him to slot home.
Wissa and Toure impress after coming on
Wissa, who scored just three goals in his first season at Newcastle, was described as sharp from the moment he entered the fray and took his goals coolly. He is looking to build on promising signs shown with DR Congo at the World Cup after a difficult debut campaign.
Toure, another debutant after joining from Hoffenheim for £43m, played a role in both goals. He pressed Guido Fernandes into an error for the first before laying the ball off for Wissa to score the second, with his display praised as rapid.
Elanga forced off after Gaya challenge
Anthony Elanga had been a bright spark before he was wiped out by the poor challenge from Gaya. He was taken off on a stretcher in distress, though the club is hopeful the injury, a bruised shin, is not serious.
Jacob Ramsey played a stunning clipped pass for a goal that Elanga had ruled out for offside, and was noted for his energy and repeated drives forward. Aladji Bamba made his first appearance since joining from Monaco in a deal worth up to £34m, looking composed despite a couple of stray passes.
In defence, Malick Thiaw was handed the captain’s armband on his 25th birthday, while Sven Botman had a heart-in-mouth moment following a mix-up at the back and nearly headed the ball into his own net before recovering. Miodrag Pivas was praised for acquitting himself well while playing out of position at left-back.
Elsewhere, Nick Woltemade struggled to affect the game in the number 10 role and was said to need to offer more, while William Osula saw a shot hit the side netting and had a penalty appeal waved away. Harvey Barnes was noted to have a battle with Toure for the starting spot.
Among the substitutes, Sean Steur, still only 18, was praised for playing like someone much older and constantly wanting the ball. Henry Johnson, 18, made his Newcastle debut, while academy graduate Dylan Charlton did not look fazed after coming on.
