It was a pre-season with a bit of bite to it ... and Newcastle went out with the idea they were not going to lose.
That's not to say they started with all guns blazing, because the first half was 'interesting' rather than either team showing much enthusiasm, and neither goalkeeper was tested to any degree.
But United looked composed, apart from James Perch, who once again looks as much a right-back as Sol Campbell looks a belly-dancer.
He was booked for a stupid challenge in the first-half that was like something from the schoolyard. He saw too many players fly past him during the PSV game it seems Chris Hughton must have had a word about stopping the traffic down that right flank. He was so desperate to stop the winger he simply ruled out going for the ball and took the player's legs from under him.
That attitude cost us the first goal against PSV, and he has got to start getting his timing right, because the Premiership will have him sussed out in five minutes.
Xisco was included in Hughton’s starting line-up on the left flank, and I cannot help but wonder if the kid is playing out of position (just like Jon Dahl Tomasson all those years ago) or if he really is 'Jack of all trades, master of none'.
In the end Joey Barton went from villain to hero in the space of about ten minutes ... missing a penalty in normal time late in the game that would have saved the effort of a penalty-shoot out ... only to score the crucial spot kick that decided the contest.
Fabricio Coloccini was the shock choice to skipper the side, and when he was upended in the penalty area by goalkeeper Manu four minutes from the final whistle it seemed the match was won. It was a bizarre foul - to say the least - the goalkeeper had hold of the ball, dropped it, then swept Coloccini's legs from under him.
Barton tame effort was easily saved, but it fell invitingly for him again as the keeper could just parry the ball away, and the former England international blazed wide.
Peter Lovenkrands, Kevin Nolan, Andy Carroll and Ryan Taylor all slotted home their efforts before Barton secured victory with a calm finish.
Leon Best went closest to breaking the deadlock but his header from Carroll’s cross was well saved, and Carroll himself came close when he headed inches wide.
Newcastle: Harper (Krul 46); R Taylor, Perch (Tavernier 52), Coloccini, Enrique; Routledge, Barton, Guthrie (Nolan 46), Xisco (Gutierrez 46); Carroll, Best (Lovenkrands 73). Subs (not used): Smith, Ferguson