A crowd of 79,233 watched on as England were beaten at the hands of Japan at Wembley – Newcastle’s stars on show had their ups and downs
Elliot Anderson played the entire match for England(Image: Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Newcastle United past and present combined at Wembley and almost raised the roof in a moment Toon fans would love to see again on Tyneside.
There wasn’t much to shout about on a drab and worrying night for England as they lost 1-0 to Japan on a night which could have been even worse had the visitors been more clinical. Anthony Gordon left the pitch with 20 minutes to go but had teed up Elliot Anderson in the first half before the Nottingham Forest man clipped the crossbar.
Anderson looked grateful to Gordon for picking him out but this would prove to be a night to forget for the close pals who formed a relationship at Benton.
With Anderson believed to be on Newcastle’s wish-list this summer still, despite strong interest from Man City, it is the dream team combination Newcastle fans can only dream of. Despite having four Newcastle players involved at Wembley, Thomas Tuchel’s troops walked around the field to show appreciation to a stadium that was rapidly emptying.
The truth is Newcastle have a lot of work to do to get Anderson back and England also must get their thinking caps on ahead of the World Cup.
Here’s how Newcastle’s stars rated:
Anthony Gordon 6/10
The Scouser started the night as one of England’s front three as he linked up with Man City’s Phil Foden and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.
The 18-goal Newcastle forward looked to drag Japan centre-back Tsuyoshi Watanabe out of position in the early stages and disrupt the visiting team’s shape. Gordon then aimed a cross from the left into the box at 13 minutes, looking for Foden, but Japan cleared their lines. Palmer tried to roll a pass to Gordon two minutes later, but he could not get the ball under control, and the moment passed him by.
As Tuchel perched himself on a drinks box near the technical area, England got to the mid-way stage of the first half without managing a shot on target.
Moments later, Japan stunned Wembley with a sweeping move as Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma steered the ball past Jordan Pickford after Keito Nakamura’s burst down the left. Gordon found himself entrusted with a free-kick high on the left on the half-hour mark, but his delivery was comfortably gathered by Parma goalie Zion Suzuki.
Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon played 70 minutes in England’s friendly against Japan(Image: Alex Davidson – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Gordon was involved in England’s best chance of the opening stages when teeing up his former Toon team-mate Elliot Anderson on 34 minutes but the Whitley Bay lad’s vicious curling effort clipped the Wembley crossbar.
Things could have got even worse for England though as Ayase Ueda was slipped into the box before he cracked the woodwork and was inches away from doubling the lead for Japan.
Gordon’s number came up with 20 minutes to go having had 46 touches but failing to register a shot. His pass to Anderson being the closest England had came to a goal during his final Three Lions appearance on home soil before the World Cup.
The ex-Everton man was replaced by Marcus Rashford, but at least left the pitch unscathed.
Get Chronicle Premium now for just £1 HERE – exclusive news and features, our NUFC and Academy notebooks, John Gibson’s columns plus an ad-lite experience
Tino Livramento (6) and Lewis Hall (7)
With England tiring and Japan opening the home team up down the flanks, Tuchel tweaked his full-backs to hand Livramento and his United colleague Lewis Hall a chance just before the hour mark.
Their introduction took Newcastle’s numbers up to three on the hallowed turf but they had work to do as England trailed. Both got nice early touches and tried to bring something to the table.
Gordon had fresh encouragement with Hall just behind him as England looked to avoid a defeat against the 18th-ranked team in world football. Hall clipped in a dangerous ball on 66 minutes which Suzuki had to gather low down after the cross took a deflection.
With two minutes left Hall drilled a low shot at the keeper who made a fine save low down to deny him. He looked up to the skies as he was narrowly denied his dream moment of a first England goal.
Dan Burn 7
The Blyth lad won his sixth England cap after being sent on for the final eight minutes with Harry Maguire The pair went on for Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa and went up for a corner.
He helped turn up the pressure on Japan when he grappled in the box with Maguire, instantly seeing a header from Jarrod Bowen’s corner blocked near the line. Burn then met a late corner with a header and caused chaos in the box before Morgan Rogers fired over the bar.
Harvey Barnes
The Newcastle forward was not used, leaving him a doubt ahead of the World Cup finals after playing just a cameo role against Uruguay on Friday night. He will need to discover his best form in the final seven matches of the season to have a chance of making it the States and may also have to rely on absentees.
Get 50% off England’s home shirt
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£84.99
£42.49
Nike
Nike has knocked 50% off England’s 2024/25 home shirt ahead of the World Cup.