Newcastle United thrashed Hartlepool in a comfortable 5-1 victory last night in a pre-season friendly.
The game saw the return of star player http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hatem-Ben-Arfa-c15884, who featured for the side for the first time since May.
Ben Arfa had been on extended leave with club mate and compatriot http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alan-c4244 Pardew’s plans for
next season.
The young Frenchman had been the subject of controversy after he had a falling out with then France national team manager Laurent Blanc. Both player and manager had been reportedly involved in an argument following http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sweden-c3015, and the argument
had led to Ben Arfa’s exclusion from the squad in the quarter-final game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011.
The controversy had raised some question marks regarding the player’s future at Tyneside, but Pardew was confident that Ben Arfa would return in high spirits. The player had been in terrific form last season, and it would have been a relief to see him repeat
some of that form in the friendly game against Hartlepool.
Newcastle ran riot, scoring 5 goals along the way. Ben Arfa made his seasonal debut, coming on for the Magpies in the second half. The winger was quick and fast, despite the fact that he had missed most of the pre-season tour and training sessions.
Two goals from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gabriel-Obertan-c14324 added to the tally in the second half while substitute Haris Vuckic made it 5 goals to the goods for the visitors.
Speaking to the club’s official website after the match, Ben Arfa reflected on the match, his performance and how it felt to be back for the team.
"It was nice to be back on the pitch. I'm very happy that I played 45 minutes and I feel very good, and now I'm going to step it up to be ready quickly."
"I was in the Euros and I've stopped for one month, but I ran on my holiday and I kept playing football with my friends. And now I feel good, but I'm going to take it step by step.”
"It was most important to be on the pitch, to feel the sensation, to get back to feeling the pitch. When you play a game, it's most important to feel the sensation of the ball and with your team-mates."
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