Newcastle United staged a friendly in Dubai to end their week-long stay on a high in the Middle East. A 5-0 win against Gulf United at the NAS Sports Complex completed the week's events in the sunshine.
With the game very much of a practice match nature Newcastle's victory came against old boy Steven Taylor who is now manager of the Gulf side. The match was played in scorching temperatures and lasted just an hour with regular water breaks.
Eddie Howe watched on as Allan Saint-Maximin scored twice and Dwight Gayle helped himself to a brace. And there was also a goal for Joelinton in the emphatic victory.
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Gayle has barely had a chance under Howe but served a timely reminder of what he can do going into the run-in. Howe told me recently: "Dwight is another player who has shown a great attitude behind the scenes, with his work.
"He has a big role to play in the team. He's a very experienced player. I think he's got a very good vocal presence in the dressing room. He's really helped the players. He's supported them when he's been in the team and when he's not."
Newcastle will be preparing to head home after a successful week in the United Arab Emirates. For Howe, it is the second warm weather training camp this year and he will be delighted with a positive week abroad.
His side next head to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for a clash against Antonio Conte's Spurs. Howe will be looking to bounce back from narrow defeats at Everton and Chelsea.
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