NEWCASTLE UNITED kicked off the Sela Weekender in style as they thrashed a Girona side that will be playing in the Champions League next season 4-0.

Sean Longstaff scored twice, with Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon also on target, as the Magpies scored all of their goals in a whirlwind first half.

With one week to go until the start of the Premier League season, Eddie Howe is splitting his squad between tonight’s game and tomorrow’s friendly against Brest.

Newcastle opened the scoring after just four minutes this evening with Tino Livramento teeing up Longstaff to fire home from close to the penalty spot.

A second goal arrived just nine minutes later as Lewis Hall nodded a cross from Alexander Isak back across goal, enabling Murphy to fire home a volley.

It was 3-0 just a few minutes later as Newcastle’s dominance continued. Isak sent Gordon racing clear, and the England winger, who only returned to training on Wednesday after his involvement at the Euros, made no mistake as he slotted a low finish past Girona goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga.

Isak had a chance to add a fourth goal from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Alejandro Frances, but his spot-kick was saved by Gazzaniga.

Newcastle remained on the front foot though, and added a fourth goal seven minutes before the break. Murphy kept the ball alive after Gazzaniga produced another save from Isak, but Longstaff prodded home from close range.

Youngster Trevan Sanusi replaced Gordon at the break, and helped set up fellow substitute Ben Parkinson for a shot that was saved by Gazzaniga.

John Ruddy came off the bench to make his Newcastle debut in the closing stages, with Newcastle seeing out their victory in front of a crowd of more than 30,000.

Newcastle: Pope (Ruddy 76); Livramento, Krafth, Burn (Stanton 89), Hall; J Miley (Parkinson 63), Longstaff, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak (Hernes 89), Gordon (Sanusi 46).