Steve McClaren told the Chronicle in California: “It’s a pre-season friendly.
“There was no malice in the challenge, he wasn’t looking at the man he was looking at the ball.
“It looked bad because he clashed with the opponent.
“It was a rash challenge and a rash red card.
“It was disappointing but it made our boys work harder in the last 20 minutes.
“I thought Sacramento were very good.
“We watched the game against Sunderland and thought: ‘This won’t be an easy game’.
“They had good ability, they played good football and the coach has done a great job to play how they do.
“We had difficulties in the first half. We were too deep and had no tempo.
“We were decent on the ball in the second half and pressed a little better and got the goal.
“We had ten men after an unbelievable decision. But we kept the ball well.”
THE TOON'S GREATEST 100 PLAYERS ... EVER!
This book is a collection of the 100 Greatest Newcastle United players of all time, as voted for by NewcastleUtd-Mad.co.uk readers and a panel of journalists who contribute to the website. The players are in an order of five-per-chapter, counting down from 100 to Newcastle United's greatest ever player (as viewed by the author), but the whole point of the book is for YOU (the reader) to decide who goes where. The list is not, by any means, definitive. As with all books of this nature, whether it be "Greatest Albums"; "Best Movies Of All Time"; or "Top 100 Pin-Ups Of The Year" ... no two people have exactly the same opinion. There will be controversy over who is on the list, and chances are, more controversy over who is not. Here are the best of the best. I have painted the picture with each player's profile. Where they end up in the league of NUFC's Greatest is up to you. Because YOU have the final word.
Otherwise ... if you want a signed copy (for a birthday, etc) for £9.95 and no postage ... you can meet me before a match and I will bring a copy along.
Get in touch: Kevnumad@fsmail.net
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Fri 10th July (8pm BST)
Gateshead FC 0 Newcastle Utd 1 (Cisse pen)
(First half): Darlow, Janmaat, Haidara, Lascelles, Williamson, Anita, Colback, Gouffran, Cisse, Sissoko, De Jong. (Second half): Woodman, Bigirimana, Satka, Good, Ferguson, Tiote, Obertan, Aarons, Perez, Armstrong, Riviere.
Tue 14th July (8pm CT)
Club Atlas (MEX) 2 Newcastle Utd 1 (Sissoko)
Krul (Darlow 46); Janmaat (Bigirimana 72), Williamson, Lascelles, Haidara (Ferguson 72); Anita, Colback; Sissoko (Obertan 72), de Jong (Perez 72), Gouffran (Aarons 72); Cisse (Armstrong 72).
Sat 18th July (8pm UTC)
Sacramento Republic FC (USA) 0 Newcastle Utd 1 (og)
Krul (Woodman 46), Janmaat, Williamson, Lascelles (Taylor 46), Haïdara, Anita, Colback, Sissoko, Obertan (Aarons 69), de Jong (Perez 69), Cissé (Wijnaldum 69).
Tue 21st July (7.30pm UTC)
Portland Timbers (USA) at Providence Park, Portland (USA)
Sun 26th July (1pm BST)
Sheffield United at Bramall Lane
Wed 29th July (7.45pm BST)
York City at Bootham Crescent
Sat 1st August (3pm BST)
Borussia Mönchengladbach (GER) at St. James’ Park