NEWCASTLE UNITED’S post-season trip to Australia ended in embarrassment as a young side were beaten 8-0 by the A-League All Stars.
Eddie Howe’s side made the journey of more than 10,475 miles after beating Brentford 4-2 on Sunday.
7
7
That guaranteed them seventh place in the Premier League – which could lead to European football next season if Man Utd beat City in the FA Cup final.
Newcastle drew 1-1 with Tottenham in their first friendly Down Under on Wednesday before beating them on penalties at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
But it was a brutal experience for several Toon teenagers in front of 53,000 fans at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium today.
And it even left some fans demanding refunds as Howe left out all his big hitters for the friendly.
After presenting a strong line-up for the Spurs game, the Magpies boss promised to face the youngsters before this one.
Right-back Harrison Ashby, 22, who spent this season on loan at Swansea, Joe White, 21, who recently returned from loan at Crewe, and winger Amadou Diallo, 21, were starters.
Midfielder Jay Turner-Cooke, aged 20, and fourth goalkeeper Mark Gillespie, aged 32, who was team captain, were the most experienced players on display.
But they were joined by six teenagers in the starting eleven.
BEST UK BOOKMAKER FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERSs
First-team regulars Kieran Trippier, Lewis Hall and Elliot Anderson were named on the bench but none of them appeared to try and stop the attack.
And some fans wanted their money back as the trolling began when Newcastle’s official account shared the full-time score.
“Embarrassing,” declared one while another joked, “it could have gone either way.”
While another demanded: “Refund traveling fans!”
A fellow fan said: “Imagine traveling 10,485 miles for no reason, only to be beaten 8-0.”
Another was angry: “This is a shame. Why play a second game if you’re not going to have a senior player on the field?
While a sixth fumed: “It is very embarrassing and possibly disrespectful to field a team like ours. It’s true that we have a lot of players who need rest. Our young contingent is distant and sad that our Australian fans have to witness this.”
As a seventh said: “We all agree. General refunds, yes?
South American stars Bruno Guimarães and Miguel Almiron had already left the Magpies to take on international assignments at the Copa América.
Brazilian Joelinton is back in Brazil before the wedding.
7
7
7
7
Top scorer Alexander Isak, who scored against Spurs, and fellow Swede Emil Krafth left the field early, ahead of their countries’ upcoming friendlies.
And Howe opted to rest the likes of Nick Pope, Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy, Matt Ritchie, Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes after having played 48 hours previously.
Ben Old gave the All-Stars the lead after four minutes and Nicolas Milanovic and Adam Taggart doubled the advantage before the break.
Apostolos Stamatelopoulos made it four just after the hour and doubled the score.
Things continued to get worse for the Toon when substitute Jake Hollman put his name on the scoresheet with ten minutes remaining.
However, they refused to show mercy and continued to press for more.
The All-Stars scored seven goals through Jordan Courtney-Perkins before Bozhidar Kraev closed the scoring.
Now Howe and what’s left of his team will be licking their wounds as they prepare for the grueling 22-hour journey back to the UK after their money-making trip.
SUNSPORT TRANSFER NEWS LIVE
STAY in the loop this summer with The Sun’s transfer experts.
Man City and Newcastle are targeting a £60m-rated Pedro Neto this summer, according to reports.
Aston Villa are reportedly close to renouncing Ross Barkley on a permanent basis.
Arsenal ‘want to sign a new striker BEFORE pre-season’.
Follow our LIVE TRANSFER BLOG for all the latest deals, gossip and exclusives.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
