Substitute forward Yoane Wissa delivered a double, securing a 2-1 comeback win for Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle United in a pre‑season friendly against a ten‑man Valencia at the historic Mestalla. The match, which should have been a straightforward showcase for the new manager, was nearly marred by a violent challenge from Valencia midfielder Jose Gaya on Newcastle winger Anthony Elanga.
Gaya's reckless tackle forced Elanga off the pitch on a stretcher during the first half, igniting a heated confrontation between the two squads. Fortunately, the Swedish international escaped any serious harm.
After a brief assessment, medical staff confirmed that Elanga had only suffered a shin contusion, and he was soon able to stand and walk unaided. In the post‑match press conference, Jaissle expressed relief, stating, "It looks like it isn’t serious, which is a huge relief for us.
I hope he can be back in training next week." He added that his initial fear of a severe injury had subsided after the medical team gave a green light, allowing the coach to focus on the positive aspects of the performance. The game itself began with Valencia taking the initiative.
Filip Ugrinic opened the scoring in the fifth minute, delivering a stunning strike that put the home side ahead and gave Jaissle a challenging start to his tenure in the Newcastle dugout. The early goal, combined with the unsettling injury scare, made the first half feel like a nightmare for the German coach. However, the halftime interval proved pivotal. Jaissle made several tactical adjustments, introducing fresh legs and altering the team’s shape.
New signings Bazoumana Toure and Sean Steur, both eager to impress, responded immediately. Their energy helped shift the momentum, and the Magpies began to dominate possession and create chances. The turning point arrived in the 52nd minute when Wissa capitalized on a defensive lapse to equalise.
The striker pounced on a loose ball inside the box and slotted it home, restoring parity and injecting confidence into the Newcastle ranks. Just 24 minutes later, Toure showcased his pace and vision by breaking away from the Valencia back line and delivering a precise pass to Wissa, who calmly tapped the ball into the net for his second of the night.
This decisive finish completed the comeback and gave the visitors a 2-1 lead. In the closing stages, Jacob Murphy added a further flourish, heading Toure's cross over the line in stoppage time, though the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside. Despite the near‑miss, the overall performance left a positive impression, especially considering the recent departure of captain Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal, which had left a leadership void.
Jaissle’s next pre‑season test will be against Everton at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on Wednesday, providing another opportunity to assess his squad’s progress. Sky Sports correspondent Keith Downie summed up the night from the Mestalla: "A solid finish to a productive week in Spain for Newcastle, with Jaissle lifting the 'Orange Cup' in his inaugural match.
The new arrivals – Aladji Bamba, Sean Steur and Bazoumana Toure – all showed promising signs, and the travelling fans left the stadium buoyant." Downie highlighted Wissa’s impact, noting that the £55 million investment in the 29‑year‑old striker seemed justified after a difficult previous season. "He looks sharp, coming off a strong World Cup showing, and could be enjoying a fresh start here," the reporter added. Jaissle reiterated his optimism in the post‑match briefing.
He praised the squad’s resilience, the absence of serious injuries, and the commitment displayed throughout the training camp. "Winning always builds confidence, but we know we have a tough week behind us.
The players gave everything in each session, and after a heavy workload, they deserve a couple of days’ rest before we start again," he said. He cautioned against over‑celebration, reminding everyone that it was only a friendly. "We won’t be smashing the locker room doors; we remain balanced and focused on the pre‑season objectives.
It’s a journey, and we won’t get complacent. The victory is encouraging, but we must also respect the lessons from any setbacks. We’ll analyse everything and keep improving," Jaissel added.
Looking ahead, the manager identified key areas for development, including defensive solidity, transition speed, and integrating the new signings into a cohesive unit. He emphasized that the preseason is a time for experimentation and learning, not just results.
"Next week we have specific aspects to work on, and we’ll approach them with the same intensity we showed today," Jaissle concluded. Overall, the 2-1 win against a reduced Valencia side provided a promising start for Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle United, showcasing the potential of new recruits, the resilience of the squad after an early setback, and the hopeful return of Anthony Elanga to full fitness. The match also offered a glimpse of the tactical flexibility and player depth that could serve the club well as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League campaign.