United feel the heat as trip to Austria ends on a low note against Mainz
CHAOTIC PITCH INVASION AT CONCLUSION OF FRIENDLY
NEWCASTLE United were beaten 1-0 by Bundesliga side Mainz 05 in baking conditions in the shadow of the Alps.
The game ended in a chaotic manner as a pitch invasion saw masses of fans trying to get shirts and selfies from Newcastle’s stars.
Boss Eddie Howe could only watch on as chances came and went for Newcastle and a single secondhalf goal for the German side was enough to claim a pre-season victory.
Howe’s side rounded off its mini tour of Austria in Kufstein against the Bundesliga outfit which finished eighth last term.
The opening 10 minutes resulted in Newcastle trying to work an opening but Mainz 05 were well drilled and made it tough for the Magpies to find space.
On 16 minutes United won a corner but Kieran Trippier’s set-piece was easily cleared by the German side’s defence.
Paul Dummett’s firm tackle on Widmer Silvan handed Mainz 05 a free-kick but Joelinton headed clear in convincing manner.
A Trippier clearance only fell as far as Dominik Koher but his deflected shot was saved by Martin
Dubravka on 30 minutes. Dummett went off after half an hour in a prearranged change with Matt Ritchie coming on.
Moments later Koher tried his luck again but this time he blazed it over the bar.
Chris Wood was presented with a fine chance after the half-hour mark but sent the ball out of the ground.
Both Almiron and Sean Longstaff had combined to tee him up on 31 minutes.
Six minutes later United won a free-kick from 25 yards but Trippier sent his effort wide.
Five minutes before the break a dangerous Mainz 05 free-kicked was beaten away by Dubravka for his second big save of the day.
The two sides went in level at the break after a testing first 45 minutes for Newcastle.
Joelinton won a free-kick on 50
minutes with Trippier drifting the ball in and Leandro Barreiro almost heading past his own goalkeeper.
Almiron then slipped Joelinton through but his effort cannoned off the chest of the goalkeeper.
With 57 minutes played Dan Burn replaced Fabian Schar and a further 10 changes would follow after the German team went ahead.
Mainz grabbed the lead on 58 minutes through Dutchman Delano Burgzorg after he carefully picked his spot and guided it past Dubravka.
Jacob Murphy had the chance to level when Emil Krafth crossed from the right but he failed to get a good connection. Elliot Anderson was next to try his luck when he fired a right-footed effort at goal but the goalkeeper gathered well.
On 78 minutes Allan Saint-Maximin dragged the ball across to Jonjo Shelvey outside the box but he hammered it over the bar.
With 10 minutes to go Callum Wilson was sent clear down the right but his effort was saved by Finn Dahmen.
Newcastle pushed hard for an equaliser but were left hot and frustrated - before facing a battle to get back to the changing rooms when fans flooded on to the field.