A penalty in the final minutes of the first half was decisive in the international friendly that took place at St James’ Park against Newcastle.

The game was played at a good tempo. The first chances were for Atalanta, with finishes from Muriel, who fired just wide, and Zapata, whose effort was tipped over by Pope. Just after the half-hour mark, the hosts became dangerous (Okoli’s head clearance was decisive) and took the lead on 37 minutes through Wood, who converted a penalty awarded to Newcastle.

The second half opened up with a great save from Sportiello on Anderson’s left-foot curler, which was followed by Éderson’s effort from the edge of the box that was over. Sportiello denied the hosts again in the 60th minute, as he outstretched his foot to parry Almiron’s effort. Minutes later, Éderson was brought down in the box but wasn’t given a penalty. Atalanta almost got the equaliser on 81 minutes with a good team move, but Targett’s clearance on Hateboer’s cross was crucial. Targett himself had a chance to double Newcastle’s lead minutes later but was denied by Musso.

NEWCASTLE 1-0 ATALANTA

Scorers: Wood pen 37 (N).

Newcastle: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burns, Targett, Anderson, S. Longstaff, Murphy (M. Longstaff 83), Almiron, Fraser (Bondswell 90), Wood (Stephenson 90). Bench: Gillespie, De Bolle, Munoz, Turner-Cooke, Murphy, Miley. Coach: Eddie Howe.

Atalanta: Sportiello (Musso 64), de Roon, Okoli, Toloi (Djimsiti 64), Zortea (Hateboer 64), Scalvini (Malinovskyi 78), Ederson (Pašalić 64), Mæhle (Ruggeri 78), Koopmeiners (Freuler 64), Zapata (Lammers 78), Muriel (Boga 78). Bench: Rossi, Bernasconi. Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini.

Referee: Peter Bankes (assistants: Eddie Smart and Nick Greenhalgh, fourth official: Tony Harrington).