German 3rd division clubs ground, Hacker pschoor arena. Small attendance, 563 people.
Main event account of the game:
Fast start from Monaco in the 1st minute, a curling shot from their attacker Toure looked like it was going to trouble Steve Harper, but it went harmlessly wide.
45 seconds in and Newcastle hit the post after a flowing move, Romain Amalfitano played in Shola Ameobi who back heeled the ball but it hit the post and went into the keepers hands.
Bicycle kick from Monaco striker Toure in the 9th minute flew harmlessly over the bar.
Shola Ameobi played in by Mike Williamson in the 12th minute, shouts for a penalty after it looks as though he was dragged down by the defender, but the referee didn't want to know.
GOAL! Demba Ba in the 33rd minute for Newcastle. Crossed in by Sammy Ameobi and deflected high into the air off the defenders leg, Demba Ba out jumped the goalkeeper to head home.
A chance for the Monaco captain in the 42nd minute, forced Steve Harper into a save for the first time in the game. Steve Harper pushed the shot around the post for a Monaco corner.
Link up between Sammy and Shola Ameobi in the 44th minute , crossed in by Sammy and a powerful shot by Shola, but a good save from the Monaco goalkeeper Subasic.
Half Time. Scoreline Newcastle 1 - 0 AS Monaco.
There were a number of changes for both teams at half time to mix things up and give some of the younger players in the ranks a chance to shine before the start of the main season and possibly catch the managers eye.
Monaco hit the crossbar in the 49th minute after a header from Toure. A brilliant cross from Yannick Carrasco but not the finish to match the move.
Another Chance for Monaco in the 56th minute, curled shot by Yannick Carrasco, but a comfortable save for Steve Harper.
Steve Harper saved a shot with his face in the 58th minute after a fantastic header from the Monaco striker Toure.
Acrobatic effort from the same player in the 62nd minute, but a wasted shot as it flew into the stand.
A chance for Gabriel Obertan in the 72nd minute, strode into the Monaco box, easy chance but just side footed the effort at the goalkeeper instead of curling it around him.
Monaco hit the crossbar again in the 76th minute after a curling shot from their captain, Steve Harper was beaten and fortunately for him and Newcastle it bounced over for a goal kick.
Scare in the 89th minute for Newcastle, great work from the Monaco winger as he beat Jonas Gutierrez and got his cross in, saved initially by Steve Harper, but the ball span onto the line, Toure the Monaco attacker just couldn't get his foot to the ball and Steve Harper gathered at the second attempt.
Overall a comfortable win for the Magpies in the end, even if there were a few scares from a powerful looking striker in the Monaco ranks, Toure, he troubled the defence on a few occasions throughout the game. Good performances from the newcomers into the Newcastle ranks, Romain Amalfitano and Gale Bigirimana. Also nice to see the managers giving chances to the younger and less experienced players in the squad a chance to shine.But overall a good performance from Newcastle who take the feeling of momentum into their final German tour Pre-season game against Fenerbache on Saturday at 6:00pm.
The Man of the match for me has to be Sammy Ameobi for his brilliant work on and off the ball throughout his 65 minute stint. Played some wonderful balls through to his brother and had some good chances to score, but the goalkeeper was just to good for him. Fantastic header in the second half which could have put Newcastle out of site but the goalkeeper was alert and stopped Sammy getting a goal on his second game back after injury. He continuously worked hard and never gave up chasing. Put in some challenges further up the pitch to keep the pressure of the defence and tracked back at corners to help out the team. Player rating 8/10.
Newcastle team ratings:
Harper 7/10
Simpson 7/10
Williamson 6/10
Santon 6/10
Tavernier 7/10
Gutierrez 8/10
Amalfitano 7/10
Bigimirana 7/10
Tiote 6/10
Sammy Ameobi 8/10 *
Shola Ameobi 7/10
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