It was some night at St James’ Park back in October. Beforehand, looking at Kylian Mbappe and his mates warming up in the Newcastle rain, I wondered how the home team would possibly cope.
Jamaal Lascelles has been a great servant and is Newcastle’s club captain but would not place himself in the world-class bracket. Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff also looked as though they may have long nights ahead against the champions of France. This may have been Saudi Arabia versus Qatar but on the field it had the potential to be lop-sided. And it was, towards Newcastle.