Newcastle 2 Hellas Verona 0: Ayoze Perez and summer signing Christian Atsu ensure final pre-season win
Former Chelsea winger was the star of the show as Toon prepare for league curtain raiser next Sunday
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NEWCASTLE will kick-start their return to the Premier League on the back of a comfortable 2-0 win over Serie B side Hellas Verona.
It took just five minutes for Rafa Benitez's side to open the scoring through Ayoze Perez before the lively Christian Atsu doubled their lead seven minutes later.
Benitez gave a big hint of his starting line-up against Tottenham next Sunday by starting a strong side that included the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Isaac Hayden and Matt Ritchie.
But it was new boy Atsu who was the star of the show as the pacey winger tormented the Italian side's back four.
The 25-year-old, who was on loan at the club last season, could prove a summer bargain after Newcastle paid Chelsea £6million to make his move permanent.
Newcastle attacked their opponents from the off and were rewarded on five minutes through Spaniard Perez.
Javier Manquillo, who also joined this summer, produced a fine cross before Perez fired his shot across keeper Nicholas.
And Newcastle threatened to run riot when Atsu burst through the defence before producing a fine finish to double the advantage.
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With the risk of injuries ahead of the new season, Newcastle could afford to take their foot off the pedal.
Atsu and Perez combined again before the latter had the ball cleared off the line.
Ritchie came within inches of finding a third when his free-kick clattered the post.
But with just one defeat in pre-season, a 2-1 defeat at Mainz, Benitez and his side will have every right to feel confident before entertaining Spurs.