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Newcastle United vs Valencia. Friendly Match.

St James' Park, Newcastle.

Last-gasp Milner downs Valencia

Image: N'Zogbia surges past Miguel

James Milner's late goal earned Newcastle a 2-1 win over Valencia at St James' Park.

Magpies come from behind to see off Valencia

James Milner's late goal earned Newcastle a 2-1 win over Valencia at St James' Park. Milner's stoppage-time strike sealed the win for Kevin Keegan's men after a Damien Duff header in the 76th minute had cancelled out Joaquin's first-half opener. Milner hit the winner after the ball rebounded off the post and he steered the ball past German goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand to give the Magpies a major boost ahead of the Premier League season. Their best opportunity of the early stages came after 22 minutes when the lively Joaquin broke into the area and cut the ball back across the area, but it managed to evade the oncoming David Silva. Valencia continued to press, but Newcastle always looked a threat on the break. That threat was confirmed on the half-hour mark when Duff burst through the Valencia defence thanks to a neat one-two with Obafemi Martins. However he could not shake off the pursuing Raul Albiol, who made sure the Irishman's shot did not trouble Hildebrand.

Opener

Valencia opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a neat move which stunned the Magpies. Silva chipped a clever pass forward which Fernando Morientes flicked into the path of Joaquin, who slotted the ball past Shay Given. While Valencia coach Unai Emery used the second half to shuffle his pack, Newcastle came out unchanged - intent on pulling level. Valencia looked dangerous after the introduction of Euro 2008 top scorer David Villa, and he came close to doubling the visitors' advantage on the hour mark when he fired a Vicente free-kick into the side-netting. The hosts continued to probe for an equaliser and they were rewarded 14 minutes from time when Duff headed home Jonas Gutierrez's corner. Then with almost the last kick of the game, Milner made sure all the home side's pressure produced the goal it deserved when he converted from close range.

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