Newcastle United ran out comfortable winners in the Diriyah Cup clash with Al-Hilal on Thursday evening to round off their Saudi Arabia trip. The Magpies put on a show under the lights in Riyadh, watched on by an incredible travelling away support and football-mad home fans.
Joelinton put Newcastle two goals to the good in the opening 45 minutes, before half-time substitute Miguel Almiron added two of his own after coming off the bench. Youngster Dylan Stephenson was one of many under-21 options to be given a go by Eddie Howe, and the attacker added the fifth and final goal before full-time.
Here are the moments you may have missed from Newcastle's 5-0 win in Saudi Arabia.
READ MORE: Newcastle United 5-0 Al-Hilal report as five-star Magpies lift Diriyah Cup with comfortable win
Feeling at home
Saudi Arabian fans have taken a shine to Newcastle United in the last 12 months, for obvious reasons. And Thursday's friendly at times felt like it was being played in England, given the amount of supporters cheering for Howe's men.
Die-hard Toon supporters travelled in numbers to the Middle East, while Al-Hilal fans in the stadium also cheered and waved at Newcastle players throughout the tie. This can probably be explained here...
To add, the Al-Hilal stadium chiefs also ensured Toon anthem 'Blaydon Races' was blasted out of the speakers at half-time and full-time in a nice gesture to the Geordie faithful.
Last minute sub
Howe wasn't forced into any changes before the friendly clash but Newcastle did have to make one change before the off in Saudi Arabia.
For those watching the match on an NUFC TV stream, you'll have heard the commentary of Mark Allison, a Newcastle fan otherwise known as 'Run Geordie Run'. The avid Magpies fan was drafted in at the last minute to commentate on the tie after the intended presenter fell through at the last minute!
Incredible!
Former target has a quiet night
There was one time Newcastle were heavily linked with West Brom fan-favourite Matheus Pereira. A Brazilian with ounces of flair, many Magpies supporters were intrigued and excited when reports suggested Steve Bruce could try and steal the attacker from the Baggies a few years back.
A move unfortunately never came to fruition and Pereira instead opted for a move to Saudi Arabia and Al-Hilal, despite his promise while playing in England's top two flights.
Pereira started the Diriyah Cup clash on Thursday evening but endured a tricky night as he was kept quiet by Newcastle's defence. Maybe a bullet has been dodged...
