Newcastle United U21s have been humbled in their opening Premier League Cup group fixture at Bristol City. Sam Bell's hat-trick helped the hosts ease to a comfortable 4-0 victory at the Robins High Performance Centre on Monday afternoon.
The Premier League 2 campaign is now on hold until after the World Cup, and the young Magpies face six uninterrupted cup fixtures. United have also been drawn in Group E alongside Crystal Palace and Sheffield United, and began the campaign against the leaders of Group South of the Professional Development League.
Elliott Dickman named five changes from the side who saw their six-match unbeaten Premier League 2 run come to an end at league leaders Leeds United last time out. Will Brown replaced Jude Smith in goal, with Amadou Diallo, Cameron Ferguson, Jay Turner-Cooke and Charlie Wiggett all coming into the starting eleven.
