The Magpies, who finished their Premier League campaign on Sunday, flew directly to Melbourne. They played against Tottenham at the MCG on Wednesday before facing the A-League All Stars. Former striker Alan Shearer labeled the trip as “madness” and “crazy.”
Despite bringing their first team to Australia, Newcastle fielded an inexperienced side against the All Stars. Eddie Howe made significant changes from the team that beat Tottenham on penalties, with Newcastle’s lineup featuring several teenagers and all outfield players being 22 or younger.
Key players Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Emil Krafth, Miguel Almiron, and Alexander Isak had already left Australia. Although Callum Wilson, Dan Burn, and Matt Ritchie were available, they were not included in the squad.
First-team members Kieran Trippier, Elliot Anderson, and Lewis Hall remained on the bench as Newcastle fell behind 3-0 within the first 34 minutes due to goals from Ben Old, Nicolas Milanovic, and Adam Taggart.
Fourth-choice goalkeeper Mark Gillespie, 32, conceded a fourth goal after the interval when Apostolos Stamatelopoulos scored. He was then replaced by 17-year-old Aidan Harris, who was beaten by Stamatelopoulos again before Jake Hollman, Jordan Courtney-Perkins, and Bozhidar Kraev completed the rout.
Newcastle’s squad is now set to return to the UK.
