23 mins Gallacher shot 1-0

Half time: Newcastle 1 PSV 0

48 mins Fernandez free-kick 2-0

66 mins Lundqvist shot  2-1

79 mins Roberts shot 3-1

Full time: Newcastle 3 PSV 1

Just 262 fans saw United's first home reserve game of 2018 on Wednesday evening, but those who made the trip to Whitley Park were rewarded with goals and incidents a-plenty.

The Magpies began their third and final Premier League International Cup group game knowing that a victory over their Dutch counterparts by four clear goals would be needed to clinch a Quarter Final spot. 

Following an incident-free opening 20 minutes, Newcastle took a 23rd minute lead following a fine passing move that Owen Gallacher rounded off.

Callum Roberts brought the ball over halfway before finding Victor Fernandez, whose low centre from the left was swept home by Gallacher from close range.

Fernandez then memorably doubled the home side's lead three minutes after the break, a curling free kick from out on the left wing dropping over the 'keeper and into the top right hand corner of the PSV goal.

United then twice hit the woodwork around the hour mark, one effort dropping down on the PSV goal line before an almighty scramble saw the ball cleared.

Some needless and reckless defending from the home side then gave PSV a foothold in the game, Ramon Pascal Lundqvist accepting the gift and firing home. 

The two-goal advantage was regained in the 79th minute when Roberts out-muscled a defender and chipped Yanick Van Osch to make it 3-1.

From then on the temperature rose steadily and referee Glen Hart was the busiest man on the field, booking six players and dismissing a seventh.

An off the ball incident between Roberts and Derrick Luckassen saw the Newcastle man yellow- carded - their "discussion" continuing as play restarted.

Mo Sangare's blockbuster tackle on Luckassen just seconds later prompted a mass flare-up, before a visiting player was carded for yet another illegal challenge to halt Fernandez in his tracks.

Another clash then saw Jamie Sterry and an opponent go into the book, before United counter- attacked and Sterry was fouled by Marcel Ritzmaier - who was then shown a straight red for what looked like a stamp. 

The game ended 3-1, meaning that Liverpool topped Group A and now join the other five Group winners in the last eight: Dynamo Zagreb, Manchester United, Arsenal, the mackems and Villarreal. 

A 3-3 draw between Spurs and Benfica in their rescheduled game on Thursday then ensured that Newcastle qualified as one of two best runners-up. 

24 teams entered the competition and were divided into six groups, six winners and two best runners-up advance to the Quarter Final stage, at which point it becomes a knockout format. 

Group A results:

Tue 24.10.2017 NUFC 2-1 Sparta Prague B
Fri 10.11.2017 Liverpool 2-1 NUFC
Tue 28.11.2017 Liverpool 0-1 Sparta Prague B
Thu 30.11.2017 PSV 4-3 Sparta Prague B
Tue 19.12.2017 Liverpool 3-0 PSV
Wed 24.01.2018 NUFC 3-1 PSV

Group A final table:

Team	Pl	GD	Pts
Liverpool	3	+3	6
Newcastle	3	+2	6
Sparta	3	-1	3
PSV	3	-4	3

Biffa