Eddie Howe shares what really pleased him with the 2-0 win over Fiorentina

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This afternoon Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United cruised to a 2-0 victory over Fiorentina in the Sela Cup thanks to goals from Miguel Almiron and Alexander Isak.

Eddie Howe picked a strong Newcastle side to face Fiorentina, although he saved a few big names for tomorrow’s game with Villarreal too.

Newcastle ran away 2-0 winners in what was a fairly comfortable afternoon for the Magpies. Miguel Almiron opened the scoring in the first half after a brilliant run and pass from Alexander Isak, then in the second half Isak got on the scoresheet himself nodding in a superb corner from Kieran Trippier.

Anderson and Miley are giving Eddie Howe plenty to think about against Fiorentina

Isak had the Fiorentina defence on toast all afternoon as did Anthony Gordon. Unfortunately for the Under 21 Euro Championship Player of the Tournament, he must have left his shooting boots in the England camp as the former Everton man missed several gilt-edged chances.

Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley both put in another excellent shift each giving Eddie Howe plenty to think about heading into the new season.

Despite all the good performances and the fact that it looks like the lads got through another 90 minutes without picking up another injury, it was the fitness of his players that pleased Howe the most saying after the game (via Shields Gazette): “I was happy with that. As always with pre-season games you hope you come through it with no injuries and fingers crossed we’ve done that.

Hopefully Newcastle will come through tomorrow unscathed

“We have a few tired bodies after 90 minutes but I think we’re looking stronger physically for the games that we’ve had and I think with another week’s training we’ll get to our optimal level.” 

Hopefully tomorrow will be just as successful in terms of both the score line and not picking up any injuries going into the final week of training before things get serious.

By splitting the first team up, Newcastle fans haven’t yet got an idea of what Howe’s first-team will look like when Aston Villa come to town next Saturday, but on the positive side, neither has Unai Emery so he will have to keep guessing right up until kick-off.