Malaga won the Costa del Sol Trophy thanks to goals from Antonio Hidalgo in the 76th minute from the penalty spot after Malaga's Edgar was fouled by Lee Clark. Former Ipswich player Pablo Couñago got the second four minutes later.

The mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre presented the sizeable trophy to Malaga captain, Fernando Sanz in the Rosaleda Stadium.

Not being risked were Alan Shearer, Shola Ameobi and Scott Parker. The mystery substitute replacing the injured Liam Atkin was veteran Dean Saunders.

Unsubstantiated reports claim the home support struck up a "Who ate all the paella?" chant shortly after Saunders rolled onto the pitch. He certainly looked leaner and meaner in his playing days....

Unfortunately we were unable to take up Freddy Shepherd's kind offer of free board and travel for this game, despite being among the "Deportivo 45". Prior engagements left us in other foreign parts. Here's how the Shields Gazette reported the game:

NO TROPHY FOR PRIZE GUYS

NEWCASTLE United missed out on an impressive looking piece of silverware in Malaga last night – losing 2-0 in the Costa Del Sol Trophy.

But the real prize for the Magpies this week was back home preparing with England's squad for the World Cup qualifier in Wales this afternoon – Michael Owen.

Manager Graeme Souness had left Tyneside for Spain on Tuesday morning with a threadbare 16-man party, and of those Alan Shearer and Shola Ameobi did not kick a ball in anger last night.

They watched from the bench as six players were handed their senior debuts – Jarrow youngster Carl Finnigan, Alan O'Brien, Liam Atkin, David Edgar, Kris Gate and Paul Huntington.

And the youthful side put out by Souness – and backed by more than 200 travelling fans – held out until the 76th minute against a full-strength La Liga outfit.

Malaga – with virtually their first team on the pitch – dominated the early exchanges, the home side exploiting the flanks to create several chances.

But Newcastle held out, and in the 11th minute had a chance of their own when United's Republic of Ireland Under-21 international O'Brien raced to the byline and swung in a left foot cross, but his centre was too close to Malaga goalkeeper Arnau.

O'Brien's pace got him clear of his marker again nine minutes later and his low cross beat both goalkeeper and defender, but Finnigan – battling and scrapping for every ball up front alongside makeshift striker Atkin – mis-kicked his shot high and wide of goal.

Seconds later the play was back at the other end, and Steve Harper was at full stretch to deny a dipping shot from Manu.

But Newcastle were slowly getting a foothold in the game, and by the half hour mark appeared to have taken the sting out of their hosts, who last weekend lost their opening La Liga fixture of the new season at newly-promoted Celta Vigo.

In the 42nd minute, Martin Brittain dragged a 20-yard shot wide from a central midfield position, and former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Salva forced another save from Harper before the end of the half.

There were no outfield changes at half time despite the energy-sapping heat, but Tony Caig replaced Harper in goal for the second half.

His counterpart Antonio Tapia brought on six of his nine substitutes, and one of them – Paco Esteban – raced down the right and into the box before forcing a save from Caig at his near post in the 63rd minute.

Four minutes earlier captain Robbie Elliott had been booked for a foul on Antonio Hidalgo, as Malaga started to pressure their visitors.

In the 66th minute, Paul Huntington replaced Celestine Babayaro – the only player to have started against Manchester United in the Premiership last Sunday.

Malaga continued to press against a back four which included three of Newcastle's debutants, but United were proving a dogged opposition for the hosts more experienced attack, which included former Ipswich Town striker Pablo Counago.

Cesar Navas crashed a header against the post in the 71st minute, and Caig denied Esteban a couple of minutes later.

The three-sided Estadio La Rosaleda was growing increasingly frustrated with Malaga's lack of progress against their youthful opposition.

But their breakthrough was not long in coming, and it was cruel for United that it came from the penalty spot. Lee Clark felled Edgar in the 76th minute as he was about to cross and referee Rafael Ramirez Dominguez had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Antonio Hidalgo stepped up and put his right foot penalty into the bottom left-hand corner, with Caig diving the right way but unable to reach the shot.

And four minutes later Malaga doubled their advantage, with a Counago shot taking a deflection off Elliott on its way past Caig.

An injured Atkin was then replaced by midfielder Scott Parker [It was actually Dean Saunders] – but strikers Shearer and Ameobi remained on the bench for the last 10 minutes with Souness and his assistant Alan Murray opting not to risk any more of his first team players than he had to.

Reports