Eddie Howe's side drew 1-1 with Tottenham in their fourth pre-season game of the summer
Football content editor for Chronicle Live, Sunderland Live, Gazette Live, Leeds Live, Yorkshire Live and Hull Live. A North East native, he has been working in sports journalism since 1995. Stuart has worked on the Sunday Sun, Chronicle and the Journal since move from the Gateshead Post in 1999.
Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon and (top left) Lewis Miley and (bottom) Nick Pope in action against Tottenham
Newcastle's Anthony Gordon and (top left) Lewis Miley and (bottom) Nick Pope in action against Tottenham
Newcastle United signed off their three-game trip to the Far East with a positive performance in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in Seoul's World Cup stadium.
There may have been no win for Eddie Howe and Co to celebrate, but the intensity of the display for the majority of this pre-season clash in South Korea will have pleased the United head coach.
Harvey Barnes earned Newcastle a share of the spoils, with the Magpies seeing an effort from Anthony Gordon ruled out for offside.
They will now return to the UK for their final pre-season games against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid next Friday and Saturday before the action starts for real at Aston Villa on August 16.
Here are some things we learned from the draw with Spurs.
Anthony Gordon's hunger is clear
Last season did not end how Anthony Gordon perhaps would have liked. The England forward suffered a loss of form, a lengthy suspension which meant he missed the Carabao Cup win, and then an injury picked up on international duty hampered his return.
He saw Harvey Barnes impress on the left-hand side in his absence, and while he was able to break back into the side, he didn't reach the heights he achieved last winter.
With Alexander Isak absent, Gordon was asked to play the central attacking role and led the line with pace and energy that indicated he's back to his hungry best.
He was unlucky not to score, going close with a sharp effort following Jacob Murphy's cut-back and then seeing the assistant's flag raised after smartly converting another cross from the same player.
Gordon was a menace throughout with an impressive workrate in hot and humid conditions. Eddie Howe will have loved to see that hunger from his No 10 - as will all United fans.
Miley future hint
Lewis Miley may have been frustrated by the scarcity of opportunities last season, but the 19-year-old is surely set for a big role in the coming campaign.
Sean Longstaff's departure and an injury to Joe Willock means he's currently the only alternative to the established midfield trio of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton. Even if United signed another midfielder before transfer deadline, Miley will have a massive part to play, with rotation likely to be a key word in the coming months.
So it was important that he put in an assured performance today in the anchor role, with Tonali left on the bench against Spurs. It's not a position which perhaps catches the eye, but is vital to allow Bruno and Joelinton the scope to get forward.
It may be harsh to judge Miley on Tonali's standards, but the academy graduated was cool and calm in the centre of the park, frequently turning over possession and kickstarting United attacks. We know how good he is, and he again underlined how important he will be in the coming months.
Fiesty Bruno
Friendly? Not when it's Brazil vs Argentina! United captain Bruno Guimaraes could have seen red in a 'proper' game after grabbing Spurs' Cristian Romero by the throat following a clash off the ball.
To be fair to Bruno, he had received a hefty whack from the Spurs defender after playing in Harvey Barnes for a chance late in the first half.
The ensuing clash soon petered out, with the referee sensibly taking no action - as was the case when Yves Bissouma avoided a second yellow card for a late challenge in the second period.
Eddie Howe will no doubt remind his skipper to keep his cool when the action starts for real in two weeks though - United can ill-afford to deal with any suspensions at this stage.
Pope 'audition'
Can a player who has already been at the club for three seasons really have an audition? Perhaps not, but it may have felt like that for Nick Pope, with Aaron Ramsdale on Tyneside and awaiting the arrival of the squad from South Korea.
Indications are that Pope will continue to be Howe's No 1 choice in goal, but in Ramsdale, he now has a clear rival for his shirt. Pope has always relcaimed the jersey from Martin Dubkravka after injuries and suspension, but it won't be so clear cut in the future, so the shot-stopper will be keen to remind everyone of his abilities.
It didn't start well in Seoul, with an all-too familiar clumsy clearance just before Spurs' opener. However, the 33-year-old did impress with a series of smart saves, notably in a one-on-one with Mathys Tel.
Pope stood up well to the advancing forward and blocked his effort when a goal looked a certainty, as well as saving from Bergvall, Richarlison and Bentacur in a solid performance.
Ramsdale will no doubt get a chance against either Espanyol or Atletico Madrid next week, but Pope will be confident of getting the nod against Aston Villa. But sort that kicking out . . .
Important cameos
With two more pre-season games to go, Howe took the chance to give several first-team players a lengthy run-out against Spurs, with changes only coming late in the game.
Much of the attention of the South Korean crowd was on Seung-Soo Park, with the 18-year-old again impressing in an attacking left-wing role.
But most pleasing for Howe will be the retun of Lewis Hall. United coped well in his absence in the final third of last season, thanks to Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier's excellent form, but Hall had been one of the most impressive players up until his February lay-off.
It may have only been a few minutes in Seoul, but it will have felt like a huge step forward for the England defender as he completes the final stages of his recovery.