Valencia 1 Newcastle United 2
A ‘lively’ match to kick off the Matthias Jaissle reign.
A spectacular long range strike from Ugrinic gave Hornicek no chance, less than four minutes after the start.
Ten minutes in and Anthony Elanga equalised, only for offside to be given. Having seen TV replays it looked like it should have stood.
A clear penalty on Will Osula not given, then a disgraceful challenge/assault for a competitive game, never mind this friendly, saw Valencia captain Gaya sent off AND Anthony Elanga stretchered off.
That incident happened right in front of the managers and subs, Matthias Jaissle doing really well to stay cam and approach the assistant referee, as it all kicked off on the pitch with the United players (including subs!) rushing to confront the Valencia captain.
Jacob Murphy came on for Elanga who looked in agony and then at half-time four more changes, including Wissa for Osula. Half-time also brought relief as Anthony Elanga seemingly fine and walking around, with only bad bruising as the lasting after effect, hopefully.
A nice finish from Wissa after a mistake by the opposition on 52 minutes and then very good work by Toure set up the DR Congo striker for a tap in and his second goal, United’s winner.
Ramsey not really standing out, Pivas started poorly but improved as the game went on, Woltemade no change from last season, playing in the 10 role, well I think he was! Gave away loads of possession, I’m just wishing him to be better than he is being…
Captain Malick Thiaw looked good until his turn to be subbed off.
A crowd of 43,000 there to see Matthias Jaissle kick off with a victory, albeit only a friendly.
A brief overview on the players left on the pitch at the end…
Hornie – couldn’t do anything for the goal but looked good, sweeper keeper, read the game well
Botman – more like the better Botman we saw towards the end of last season
Jacob Murphy – not very good…
Toure – busy, fast, looks exciting and will be in the team very soon for sure
Wissa – the best we’ve ever seen him, good all round game
Steur – busy intelligent player looks very promising indeed
Mason Miley – did ok considering playing right back
Joelinton – good enough
Willock – not very good…
Johnson – the 18 year old struggled
Charlton – looked confident, attack minded from left back
Photo by Ged from Walker via The Mag
Final Score
Valencia 1 Newcastle United 2
Goals
Valencia: Ugrinic 4, Gaya red card 35
Newcastle United: Wissa 52, 76
Newcastle United team v Valencia: Lukáš Horníček, Sven Botman, Aladji Bamba (Sean Steur 46), William Osula (Yoane Wissa 46), Harvey Barnes (Bazoumana Touré 46), Malick Thiaw (c) (Henry Johnson 72), Anthony Elanga (Jacob Murphy 39), Nick Woltemade (Joe Willock 67), Jacob Ramsey (Joelinton 67), Miodrag Pivaš (Dylan Charlton 67), Leo Shahar (Mason Miley 46)
Subs not used: Mark Gillespie, Aidan Harris, Rory Finneran, Sean Neave
Newcastle United schedule:
Saturday 18 July 2026
Newcastle United 3 Darlington 0 (Willock, Osula, Neave with the goals)
Saturday 25 July 2026
Gateshead 1 Newcastle United 1 (An own goal giving United the draw)
Wednesday 29 July 2026
Bristol City 4 Newcastle United 1 (Harvey Barnes getting the NUFC goal)
Saturday 8 August 2026
Valencia 1 Newcastle United 2 (Yoane Wissa with two second half goals to see NUFC win from 1-0 down)
Monday 10 August 2026
The draw for the Carabao Cup second round will be drawn.
Wednesday 12 August 2026
Newcastle v Everton pre-season friendly with 5.15pm kick-off at Murrayfield.
Saturday 15 August 2026
Newcastle United v Bayer Leverkusen friendly at St James’ Park, 3pm.
Sunday 16 August 2026
Newcastle United v Strasbourg friendly at St James’ Park, 4pm.
Sunday 23 August 2026
Newcastle v Liverpool 4.30pm – United’s first Premier League match of the season
(Around) Wednesday 26 August 2026
Carabao Cup second round match, opposition and time TBC (Draw will be made on 10 August)
Saturday 29 August 2026
Spurs v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports
Tuesday 1 September 2026
Premier League transfer window closes at 11pm.
Saturday 5 September 2026
Newcastle v Bournemouth 12.30pm TNT Sports
Monday 14 September 2026
Leeds v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
(Please note, should either club reach the Carabao Cup third round and be scheduled to play against a club participating in this season’s UEFA Champions League, the match will revert to Saturday 12 September and take place at 12:30pm)
Saturday 19 September 2026
Newcastle v Hull (3pm) No live TV