U23 Report: Newcastle United 2-0 Saints

Substitute Luke Charman's second-half double proved decisive in a clash that Saints entered into in the knowledge that a win or a draw would see them move on past the group stage of the competition.

Radhi Jaïdi made four changes from the side that lost 2-0 to top-of-the-table Everton at Goodison Park in Premier League 2.

Defender Alfie Jones returned, while Tyreke Johnson, Thomas O’Connor, Harley Willard all came in.

The visitors started the brighter of the two sides, winning successive corners inside five minutes, with O’Connor’s in-swinging delivery being punched away by Matz Sels.

Newcastle had their first chance of the half on eight minutes when Dan Ward collected the ball on the edge of the box, before seeing his shot deflect off Ollie Cook for a corner.

On 22, Ward was involved again when he took Yasin El-Mhanni’s inch-perfect through ball, only to see his effort blocked.

The lively forward then had the ball in the net on 42 minutes when a neat exchange in the box saw Haris Vuckic find his run, and he finished low past Harry Lewis, only to see the flag raised for offside.

In the opening exchanges of the second-half, Saints had the first effort when O’Connor took aim from the edge of the box, seeing his right-footed drive rise harmlessly over the bar.

But after making a double change in search of a winner, Luke Charman scored with one of his first touches, as he fired the ball past Lewis and into the far corner.

Saints responded with a double substitution of their own as Siph Mdlalose and Callum Slattery replaced Jake Hesketh and Harley Willard.

However, the visitors continued to pose the most attacking threat, with Callum Williams seeing his effort saved by Lewis, before Massadio Haidara blazed over from a tight angle.

And as Jaïdi's men ventured further forward looking for a late leveller, Charman doubled his personal tally for the afternoon when he raced through before finishing across goal, this time with his left foot.