Newcastle United opened their 2026-27 pre-season with a routine 3-0 victory over Darlington, as Joe Willock, William Osula and Sean Neave all found the net in a behind-closed-doors friendly at the club’s newly renamed KNOX training ground.
Eddie Howe fielded two completely different lineups, one per half, handing summer signing Sean Steur his unofficial debut before fellow new arrival Ewen Jaouen made his first appearance after the break in a match that marked the Magpies’ return to action following
last season.
Newcastle dominated possession from the opening whistle against Steve Watson’s National League North side, but Darlington stayed organized for much of the first half and frustrated the hosts during the opening half hour.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 29th minute when Jacob Murphy delivered a cross from the right, and Willock finished from close range, giving Newcastle a deserved lead after sustained pressure. Let’s see if the two, one, or none of them are still in the club by the time NUFC plays its next game next Saturday at Gateshead.
The Magpies doubled their advantage six minutes later after Willock won a penalty from a Ben Hedley tackle. Osula stepped up and converted from the spot, continuing the scoring form he showed at the end of last season.
Both managers changed their entire teams at halftime, with Howe’s second-half lineup featuring several academy prospects alongside new goalkeeper Jaouen, who was rarely called into action during his first outing in Newcastle colors.
Teenage forward Neave wrapped up the scoring midway through the second half, completing an individual run before finishing to score Newcastle’s third goal and continue his encouraging development after making his Premier League and Champions League debuts last season.
Other young players, including Trevan Sanusi, Park Seung-soo, Rory Finneran and Vakhtang Salia, got valuable first-team minutes as Howe continues assessing his squad right at the start of the preseason.
Newcastle’s preparations continue a week from now, when Howe’s side will travel to face Gateshead in their first public preseason friendly of the summer.
