Newcastle kick off pre-season with win as duo send Howe reminder amid exit talk

Eddie Howe's side kicked off a hectic pre-season schedule by inviting their north-east neighbours down to their training ground and their Premier League class told against their National League North opponents.

Goals from Joe Willock, Will Osula and Sean Neave earned United a convincing win, with Howe fielding two entirely different sides for each half of the game.

New signing Sean Steur was among a strong starting XI full of senior players that also included youngsters Leo Shahar and Alex Murphy, as well as the likes of Nick Pope and Jacob Murphy, who have been linked with a move away from Tyneside.

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And it was Murphy who created the opening goal as his cross from the right-hand side was tucked home from close range by Willock, who has also been linked with an exit this summer.

Willock then won a penalty after being fouled by Darlo defender Ben Hedley and Osula stepped up confidently to slot home the spot-kick to double United's lead to continue his fine goalscoring form in 2026.

The second half saw a much changed Newcastle side headlined by new goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen but one that was otherwise comprised of youngsters from the club's under-21 and under-18 sides.

The most senior of those was Neave, who spent the majority of last season around the first team squad before being handed debuts in the Champions League and Premier League.

The 19-year-old forward is keen for a loan move this summer and did his chances no harm by putting the seal on their win over Steve Watson's side.

Newcastle will play for the first time in front of fans this summer when they make the trip to Gateshead next Saturday before taking on Bristol City, Valencia, Everton, Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg across their pre-season preparations.

Newcastle United XI vs Darlington (first half): Nick Pope; Leo Shahar, Alex Murphy, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall; Jacob Ramsey, Joe Willock, Sean Steur; Jacob Murphy, William Osula, Harvey Barnes

Newcastle United XI vs Darlington (second half): Ewen Jaouen; Mason Miley, Miodrag Pivaš, Luke Craggs, Dylan Charlton; Rory Finneran, Anthony Munda, Sean Neave; Trevan Sanusi, Park Seung-soo, Vakhtang Salia