Sam Greenwood, Lorent Tolaj and Max Bird got on the scoresheet as Bristol City beat Premier League Newcastle United at Ashton Gate
21:25, 29 Jul 2026Updated 21:26, 29 Jul 2026
Celebrations as Bristol City score against Newcastle United
Bristol City’s summer signings and familiar faces combined as the Robins continued their pre-season preparations with a 4-1 win over Premier League Newcastle United on Wednesday evening.
Sam Greenwood, Lorent Tolaj and Max Bird all got on the scoresheet as Michael Skubala’s Robins got the better of Eddie Howe’s side at Ashton Gate to secure their second win of pre-season, after the weekend’s victory at Swindon.
Although a late Harvey Barnes strike threatened to take the shine off what was an impressive display from the Reds, a Sven Botman own-goal minutes before the final whistle ensured it was an evening of positivity in south Bristol.
City will now travel to Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City in a friendly double-header this coming weekend before starting their competitive season against Walsall in the Carabao Cup next Thursday.
Skubala made nine changes to the side that started Saturday afternoon’s win over Swindon. Sam Tickle and Tomi Horvat were the only two players to keep their place, with George Tanner, Rob Dickie, Lisav Eissat, Cam Pring, Adam Randell, Jason Knight, Bird, Greenwood and Tolaj coming into the starting line-up.
Lorent Tolaj in Action from Bristol City vs Newcastle United
In a side packed full of summer signings, it was a more familiar face who carved out the first chance of the contest. With five minutes played, a clever Tolaj flick landed at the feet of Bird, who threaded a pass behind the Newcastle backline for Greenwood to chase. The midfielder steadied himself before striking with his left foot, but struck straight at Ewen Jaouen in the Magpies’ net.
Tickle didn’t have to wait much longer to get involved at the other end of the field. The Reds’ new number one saved well from a Newcastle corner early on, but it was his stop to deny Sean Neave that truly caught the eye. From point blank range, the 24-year-old turned the forward’s flicked effort around the post to get the home crowd out of their seats.
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Clearly unfazed by the earlier missed chance, it was Greenwood who gave Skubala’s side the lead in spectacular fashion. Having been fouled on the edge of the penalty area, the former Leeds United man stepped up to take the resulting free-kick, firing into the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar to leave Jaouen with little chance of saving on this occasion.
Before Newcastle could produce a response, City’s advantage had been doubled. Tolaj, who had kept the Magpies’ backline on their toes throughout the first half, shrugged off Sven Botman on his way to a through ball rolled down the right flank. With the Dutchman left in a heap on the floor, the Swiss striker took his goal tally to three for pre-season and gave the Robins a two-goal lead at the break as he rolled a low strike into the bottom left corner.
BRISTOL, ENGLAND – JULY 29: Sean Steur of Newcastle United (14) during the Pre Season Friendly between Bristol City and Newcastle United at Ashton Gate Stadium on July 29, 2026 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Although it was the Magpies who started the second half on top, within three minutes, their deficit stood at three. Once more, Tolaj and the midfield combined well to allow Jason Knight to sting an outside-of-the-foot pass into the path of Bird.
Breaking towards goal, the midfielder carried into the penalty area on his stronger left foot, before he finished into the bottom right corner to reignite chants of ‘Premier League, you’re having a laugh’ from the Ashton Gate crowd.
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While opportunities to kickstart a comeback presented themselves to Eddie Howe’s side, they were repeatedly allowed to pass by unclaimed. The biggest missed chance came with a little over an hour played, when Botman’s diving header was guided over the bar, much to the disappointment of the North East contingent stationed in the Atyeo Stand.
With 12 minutes left to play, however, the Magpies did pull one back. After a misplaced Jed Wallace pass left Gibson Yah on his heels, Newcastle pounced with the break of the ball, allowing Harvey Barnes just enough space to slot beyond the reach of Tickle.
Any celebrations amongst the travelling fans were short-lived, however, as within mere moments, the Reds’ three-goal advantage had been restored. Substitute Sam Bell’s cross from the left flank was deflected into the back of the net by Botman to ensure it was Skubala’s side who came out on top in front of the 21,000-strong crowd.