Yoane Wissa came off the bench to net a pair of goals, securing a 2-1 comeback victory for Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle side in a pre‑season encounter against a reduced Valencia team. The match, staged at the historic Mestalla, threatened to be marred by a violent challenge from Valencia midfielder Jose Gaya on Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga. The tackle was severe enough to see Elanga stretchered off in the first half, prompting a heated confrontation between the two squads. Fortunately for the Swede, medical examinations indicated that his injury was not serious.
After a brief period on the sidelines, Elanga was able to stand and walk, his shin bearing only a contusion. In the post‑match press conference, Jaissle expressed relief, describing his mood as "relaxed" regarding the winger’s condition.
He said, "It looks like it isn’t too bad, so we’re pleased. I hope it’s true and that he can be ready again next week." The German coach admitted that his initial reaction was fear of a serious problem, but he was reassured by the medical team’s largely green light.
The game had started poorly for Newcastle. Valencia’s Filip Ugrinic opened the scoring in the fifth minute, delivering a stunning strike that put the visitors under immediate pressure. The early goal, coupled with Elanga’s injury, gave Jaissle a nightmarish start to his tenure in the Toon dugout. However, the manager’s tactical adjustments at halftime sparked a dramatic turnaround.
New signings Bazoumana Toure and Sean Steur made an immediate impact, showcasing the depth Jaissle has added to his squad. Wissa, who joined Newcastle last summer, seized upon a defensive lapse to level the score in the 52nd minute.
His instinctive finish restored parity and shifted the momentum in Newcastle’s favour. The decisive blow came in the 76th minute when Toure, after beating several Valencia defenders, delivered a precise pass that set up Wissa for a tap‑in, completing the comeback. Toure’s contribution did not end there; he threatened to provide a second assist after a dazzling run down the left flank, only to see Jacob Murphy’s cross go over the line in stoppage time.
The victory provided a welcome boost for Newcastle, especially after the club’s captain Bruno Guimaraes departed for Arsenal. Jaissle’s side will now face another pre‑season test on Wednesday when they travel to Edinburgh’s Murrayfield to meet Everton.
Sky Sports correspondent Keith Downie summed up the atmosphere at the Mestalla: "A good end to a positive week in Spain for Newcastle – and a trophy for Jaissle in his first match in charge as they lift the ‘Orange Cup’." He highlighted the impressive performances of recent arrivals Aladji Bamba, Sean Steur and Bazoumana Toure, and noted the optimism among travelling fans who left the stadium buoyed by the result. Downie also singled out Wissa’s display as a major positive.
The striker, who cost Newcastle £55 million and endured a difficult previous season, appeared sharp and confident, reflecting his strong showing at the World Cup. "He looks sharp and is coming off a good World Cup showing.
Maybe this could be a fresh start for the striker," the pundit remarked. Jaissle’s own words after the game emphasized his focus on health, confidence and measured progress.
He said, "First of all, I’m really happy that there are no serious injuries. Anthony, we are happy, and it seems to be okay – that was the most important thing." He added that winning helped build confidence, but reminded everyone that the squad had endured a tough week and deserved a couple of days of rest before resuming training.
The manager cautioned against excessive celebration, noting that the match was a friendly and that the locker room should not be overrun with revelry. "We’re quite balanced; we know what it is about.
Now it’s pre‑season, and we’re still looking to work on it. It’s just a journey; we don’t want to hang onto that," Jaissle explained. He stressed the importance of maintaining perspective, saying, "The victory is higher than it is, but also we don’t see the losses lower than it is then, so we should be quite balanced in our approach." Looking ahead, Jaissle outlined the areas his team must improve.
"We should just analyse the situation and develop from there, and that’s what we’re going to do. Next week there are things we need to work on, definitely," he concluded. In summary, the match showcased Newcastle’s resilience, the immediate impact of several new signings, and a promising start for Jaissle’s tenure.
With Elanga’s injury seemingly minor, the squad can focus on fine‑tuning tactics and building chemistry ahead of the upcoming fixtures, while fans can relish a positive result that sets an encouraging tone for the forthcoming season.