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Newcastle XI 8 Carlisle XI 0
Written by Newcastle Utd
Ryan Taylor made his long-awaited return from injury as a United XI recorded an 8-0 friendly victory over Carlisle
By Tom Easterby
Ryan Taylor made his long-awaited return from injury as a strong Newcastle United XI recorded an emphatic 8-0 behind-closed-doors friendly victory over Carlisle United on Tuesday afternoon.
Right-back Taylor, who has been out since August 2012 with a succession of serious knee injuries, was finally able to pull on the black and white shirt again as United triumphed over a young Blues side at their Benton training base.
While Taylor set up the Magpies' sixth goal - whipping in a trademark, teasing free-kick for Mehdi Abeid to nod home - it was the performance of Ayoze Perez that caught the eye, as the young Spaniard helped himself to four goals before his withdrawal at the break.
The opening stages were dominated by the home side, with the attacking duo of Perez and on-loan Facundo Ferreyra causing countless problems for League Two's basement club.
It took just 14 minutes for Peter Beardsley's outfit to register their first goal, with Ferreyra feeding Perez to fire home a low, deflected drive.
After the impressive Alex Gilliead and Abeid had both gone close, Newcastle wasted a glorious chance to snatch a second. Gilliead fed Perez, whose sidefooted finish struck the base of the post and fell kindly for Gael Bigirimana.
The Burundian, however, couldn't apply the killer touch, bouncing his effort down into the ground and away to safety via the crossbar.
Perez then added his and United's second with another low finish after 25 minutes before his strike partner Ferreyra got in on the act, chipping delightfully over the Carlisle goalkeeper after being sent clear by Gilliead.
Chances came thick and fast in what was an entertaining first half, with Haris Vuckic and the returning Taylor both rattling the woodwork in quick succession before 21-year-old Perez tucked away his third after another fine Gilliead assist.
In a rare foray forward, Carlisle found themselves with a sight of goal but saw a cross-shot fly well off target. And Keith Curle's men were punished in spectacular fashion just minutes later when Perez set off on a mazy run which took him to the edge of the Cumbrians' box.
The former Tenerife forward dispatched his fourth into the bottom right-hand corner with aplomb to cap a terrific individual effort.
Taylor's inswinging set-piece handed Abeid Newcastle's sixth just before the break and, although Carlisle rallied after half-time and went close through Steven Rigg, there was still time for a couple more goals.
After Vuckic's volley had been chalked off for offside, David Symington clumsily brought down substitute Callum Roberts in the box and the Slovenian midfielder rolled home the resulting spot kick.
Beardsley - who began his career at Brunton Park - sent on Adam Armstrong late on and, in what was a fleeting appearance, the 17-year-old had a hand in the final goal as his neat control took him into the Blues' box before Abeid turned and smashed home the eighth on 74 minutes.
Newcastle United XI (4-2-3-1): Rob Elliot (Paul Woolston 46); Ryan Taylor (Jamie Sterry 46), Remie Streete, Lubo Satka, Shane Ferguson; Gael Bigirimana (Olivier Kemen 70), Mehdi Abeid (Daniel Barlaser 79); Alex Gilliead, Ayoze Perez (Adam Armstrong 60), Haris Vuckic; Facundo Ferreyra (Callum Roberts 46)