Newcastle United can not contain their excitement ahead of the new season as Eddie Howe's side rounded off pre-season with a win over Athletic Bilbao. Goals from Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson were enough to secure a hard-fought win over the La Liga side at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies boss unsurprisingly named a completely different starting eleven following Friday night's friendly victory over Atalanta. Sven Botman was handed a home debut, with Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Joe Willock all coming into the side.
It did not take long for the hosts to take the lead, with Wilson applying a clever finish to beat Ander Iruarrizaga. This advantage was doubled after the interval by Saint-Maximin, with Newcastle's number 10 racing on to a pass from Joelinton to score in front of the Gallowgate End.
READ MORE: Newcastle 2-1 Athletic Bilbao as Allan Saint-Maximin goal ensures final pre-season victory
Raul Garcia came off the bench to pull a goal back for Bilbao, with the substitute beating Emil Krafth in the air to head home. However, Howe's side held on to secure a second successive win over European opponents in two days at St James' Park ahead of the start of the season next weekend.
Optimism is clearly building on Tyneside despite Newcastle's current frustrations in their efforts to land attacking reinforcements in the transfer window. Here is a look at how Magpies fans reacted to the win over Athletic Bilbao:
'Better than ever'
'Bruno was immense'
'Job done'
'Maxi is underrated'
'Never been more excited'
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