Newcastle's second home win in as many days saw them retain the Sela Cup on Saturday; a revised format making the meeting with Brest a winner-takes-all tie. 

Eddie Howe's side just about deserved the silverware that came their way thanks to a well-struck effort from Harvey Barnes - the visitors with more sight of goal overall but unable to convert any.

Clad in their white third kit and with a different XI to that which had overwhelmed Girona on Friday, United again got off to a positive start and led after 15 minutes.

Lloyd Kelly's perceptive ball down the left found Barnes and he cut in on to his right foot before burying a low effort into the far corner of the Leazes goal.

Leading the line on his debut, new arrival William Osula swept the ball home in the 23rd minute but had strayed offside when latching on to a fine ball from Barnes.

That was Osula's best moment but he did show a willingness to hold the ball up that bore comparison to a certain Swede - raw material certainly, but with physical attributes we're incapable of sourcing from within.   

Making his first senior start meanwhile, 18 year-old Alfie Harrison's impact was minimal; aibeit from a deeper midfield role than he's occupied so far at U21 level. 

The visitors had several near misses as they sought to go in level at the break; Martin Dubravka defying Jonas Martin and Jordan Amavi while an effort Pereira Lage fell narrowly off target.

Action after the break was minimal with nothing of note from Newcastle in an attacking sense, the absence of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon profound. 

Trevan Sanusi meanwhile was unable to prompt anything when as he was afforded some pitch time for the second day running - the only player who did so for more than a few seconds.

There were more valuable minutes in the legs as United's public pre-season programme concluded successfully, especially Joe Willock whose 88 minute contribution was his longest outing of 2024.

One last-ditch clearance left Fabian Schar limping and he played on for a time before hobbling off, but Howe seemed unconcerned by that when speaking post-match.

Multiple changes for the French failed to inspire an equaliser that would have taken the contest to penalties; Kieran Trippier collecting the trophy from club CEO Darren Eales and lifting it in unison with Bruno Guimaraes.

That followed the presentation of the inaugural Women's Cup to Newcastle United Women, who shared four goals with their AC Milan counterparts earlier in the day before triumphing 4-3 in the shootout.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Friday's foes Girona lost 2-3 at Bournemouth while next Saturday's opponents Southampton drew 0-0 with Getafe. Sunday then saw a Crystal Palace side including Magpie transfer target Marc Guehi held 1-1 at Selhurst by Nantes.

It's fair to say that the close season hasn't brought the anticipated volume of arrivals and departures on Barrack Road; exits for Elliot Anderson, Yankuba Minteh and Amanda Staveley unforeseen while a host of more familiar faces remain on the payroll at the time of writing.  

Much remains unresolved in squad terms, but barring any late developments, Howe looks have kept hold of his crown jewels Isak, Bruno and Gordon with Tonali closing in on his return after wasting a year of his and our time. 

Our simplistic view of more players available for less games being a good thing remains; although having it confirmed by a Manchester City player that our final European hopes were dashed due to their collective hangover in the FA Cup Final still sticks in the throat. Our fault for relying on them.

News that the FA are kicking the England coaching can down the road by putting Lee Carsley in temporary charge meanwhile leaves the possibility that Howe could have his cake and eat it - and retain an escape route if his side are underachieving once the dark nights are here. 

A small dig contained in his post-match quotes today about others doing the dealing suggests that there may be a truce between the various club personalities, but no armistice.

Biffa

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