Jacob Murphy inspires clinical Newcastle United to 4-1 win in Japan

Newcastle United followed up their comfortable victory against Hull City with a 4-1 win over Urawa Reds in the first of two friendlies to be played in Japan.

Urawa Reds are in the middle of their J-League season but despite having the match fitness advantage, weren't able to trouble Newcastle too much.

The Magpies took an early lead on three minutes thanks to Alexander Isak who made it three goals in three games in pre-season.

Urawa equalised right before the midway drinks break in the first half with a goal that was just far too easy from a defensive point of view.

Jacob Murphy could inadvertently ruin our summer

The home side were awarded a penalty a few minutes later after Tino Livramento was adjudged to have fouled in the box - although replays would show it was outside of the area. However, Nick Pope guessed right and was able to stop the hosts from taking the lead.

Then on the stroke of half time, Jacob Murphy popped up to make it two goals in as many games for himself and to give Newcastle a half time lead.

It didn't take long in the second half for Newcastle to add another, again via Jacob Murphy with a beautiful curling effort. We're now terrified that Eddie Howe will not bother signing a right winger because of Murphy's form in pre-season and the end of the last campaign.

Travan Sanusi looks like he could be a good signing

After a superb display against Hull, Lewis Hall continued to impress by bagging Newcastle's fourth goal, although he got a lot of help from a Urawa defender nodding the ball beyond the 'keeper.

Urawa weren't going down without a fight and actually had a lot of possession. That only increased the more changes Eddie Howe made with only Miguel Almiron, Odysseas Vlachodimos and a load of kids on the bench.

One youngster who came on and impressed again was Trevan Sanusi. The 17-year-old winger signed from Birmingham last summer looks like he has bags of potential. We look forward to seeing him develop at the club.

Next up for the Magpies is Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday at 11am.