Newcastle United’s pre-season woes have continued as they have now gone five games without a win after drawing 2-2 with Espanyol.
It’s been a tough summer for Newcastle United and it continued on Friday as Eddie Howe’s side played out a dull and uninspiring draw with Espanyol.
The game got off to a characteristically bad start when Edu Exposito fired in a rocket of a goal, but Matt Targett levelled soon after and Aaron Ramsdale saved a penalty to ensure the scores were level at the break.
Much like the first 45, the second half lacked tempo and spice in the opening stages, with neither side finding much rhythm.
You’d have been forgiven for falling asleep during such a non-eventful period of football but, if you did, you’d have missed Jacob Murphy firing in what looked to be the winner in the 76th minute.
However, former Middlesbrough man Kike equalised late on to pile more misery on the Toon.
Here’s how the players rated in the second 45.
Jacob Murphy embraces Matt Targett after his goal for Newcastle United vs Espanyol.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Aaron Ramsdale – 5
Literally not forced into a save after his first-half penalty heroics until the 86th minute and then couldn’t keep out Kike’s close-range header despite a theatrical dive.
Emil Krath – 5
Solid at right-back but Newcastle really missed having Tino Livramento on the flank to provide overlapping runs for Murphy.
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Fabian Schar – 6
Some wayward passes into touch but not threatened defensively. Came close to scoring from a well-worked free-kick routine.
Dan Burn – 5
Marshalled Kike well until he scored at the death.
Matt Targett – 6
Back in at left-back for the second half and wasn’t able to get involved on the ball as much as a result. Midfield might actually be a better position for him now. Sent one excellent cross into the box from a free-kick.
Bruno Guimaraes – 7.5
Seemed to care much more than anyone else and battled for every ball. The only player who looked to be giving all his effort in a dreary 45 minutes.
Not able to be as adventurous on the ball as he was in the opening half, but his pirouette was the highlight.
Lewis Miley – 7
Continued to play well in the defensive midfield role, protecting the defence with solid positioning and using the ball efficiently. Not given much opportunity to break forward in a dull second half.
Alfie Harrison – 7
The only change at the break, replacing Lewis Hall as he continues his way back to fitness. Alfie Harrison was aiming to impress Howe with a rare first-team chance and put himself about the field in an energetic display.
It was his pressure on the Espanyol defenders that led to Murphy’s goal and he hasn’t done his chances any harm at all.
Jacob Murphy – 7
Had a couple of bright moments when he tried to make things happen and it was no surprise that he was the one to fire the side into the lead.
William Osula – 5
Nearly squeezed a shot from distance into the bottom corner but otherwise offered little threat to the Espanyol back-line.
Moved to the left flank for the final 30 minutes and fared no better, running the ball out of play the one time it came his way.
Newcastle can’t rely on him to lead the line when the season starts.
Park Seung-soo – 7
The only player on the field who excited fans, for the most part, with his scintillating skills waking up a sleepy crowd before he was taken off just after the hour. Supporters will be hoping he stays and has a role to play this coming season.
Substitutes
Sean Neav – 5
Given half an hour in his first appearance at St. James’ Park but saw little of the ball.