Sven Botman makes triumphant return as young stars defeat Chelsea


 
 
 
 
 
 

Nine months to the day since his last appearance in an FA Cup defeat at Man City in March, Sven Botman made his playing return.

Rather than up against the (then!) best team in Europe in front of 50,000+ at the Etihad.

Sven Botman making his return in front of 500+ against the Chelsea Under 21s at a bracing Whitley Park on Monday night.

Also in a strong looking starting eleven against Chelsea, were Lewis Miley and Alex Murphy.

Happily, it turned into a very good night, in many ways.

Most importantly of course, Sven Botman successfully made his playing return after nine months out.

The Dutch defender playing for what was clearly a pre-planned hour, before making way. My prediction had been 45 minutes, as is usually the case for a returning United player, first game back after long-term injury. So a small bonus there.

A bigger bonus was that Sven Botman played well and looked comfortable on his return.

When he left the pitch, Newcastle United were also two goals up.

Ben Parkinson putting United 2-0 up inside 15 minutes, finishing well when the ball broke for him in the box, then winning a penalty and scoring it himself.

Parkinson almost scoring a hat-trick but the woodwork denying him, before later Charlie McArthur headed home for 3-0 on 70 minutes.

Two late Chelsea goes couldn’t spoil a very satisfactory night.

Final score:

Newcastle United Under 21s 3 Chelsea Under 21s 2

Newcastle United:

Harris, Shahar, Alex Murphy, Botman (Heffernan 60), McArthur, Hernes, Sanusi (Donaldson 79), L.Miley (Alfie Harrison 46), Parkinson, Munda, Turner-Cooke

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 14 December – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)

Wednesday 18 December – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)

Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)

Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Sunday 12 January – Newcastle v Bromley (3pm) BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Wednesday 15 January – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 18 January – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 25 January – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)

Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (Time TBC) Sky Sports