Eddie Howe was not happy but Newcastle players' reaction was telling as game changer targeted

Eddie Howe may not have necessarily got the high-tempo exhibition match he was hoping for, but the Newcastle United boss will still have learnt a lot from his side's 3-0 win against a stubborn 1860 Munich outfit.

Friday's friendly at the picturesque SaalfeldenArena Burgerau in Austria was a chance to see summer signings Nick Pope and Sven Botman in action for the first time while youngster Elliot Anderson again caught the eye as one of Newcastle's real bright sparks - even before Joe Willock, Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes put 1860 Munich to the sword in the second half.

By the time Bruno added Newcastle's third goal, in the 76th minute, Howe's side had long cut loose like they did late on against Gateshead six days previously. However, the scoreline, as is so often the case with friendlies, did not tell the full story.

Newcastle had plenty of possession in the first half but found it difficult to break down their gritty opponents who, in Howe's words, 'managed it like it was a Champions League game'. That frustration got to Newcastle at times in a stop-start opening 45 minutes against the third-division outfit. Callum Wilson shook his head following one particularly meaty challenge and Jacob Murphy briefly squared up to Martin Kobylanski after taking issue with the midfielder pulling his shirt.

While acknowledging his players were tired, after a series of double sessions in the heat this week, Howe admitted he 'wasn't happy with what I saw' in the first half. The onus was on Newcastle to rise above 1860 Munich's antics and lift the tempo and intensity of the game themselves, which the Magpies belatedly did after the break.

That response will encourage Howe as, traditionally, this side struggle when they have to