Newcastle United Under-21s 4 Stoke City Under-21s 1 | OneFootball

Brayson's early finish, the 17-year-old forward's first goal at under-21 level, got the young Magpies off to a flying start at Whitley Park before Ruben Curley's effort drew the Potters level.

Stoke, however, were reduced to ten men before the half-time break as Jaden Dixon was sent off after picking up two yellow cards before Harrison's second-half double, either side of Brayson's close-range finish, helped Diarmuid O'Carroll's side record a first league win of 2025.

United's youngsters began the contest in bright fashion as Brayson, son of former Newcastle forward Paul, charged into the box before the teenager's low shot was blocked by the leg of Stoke goalkeeper Alfie Brooks before Johnny Emerson's rebound inside the box was directed wide of the target.

Newcastle took the lead in the sixth minute courtesy of Brayson's strike as the Walker-born striker raced onto Ciaran Thompson's lofted pass in-behind the Stoke defence before calmly stroking the ball beyond Brooks.

Jay Turner-Cooke went close to netting a fourth goal in his last five matches at second-string level as the South Shields-born midfielder arrived onto Brayson's cutback before placing a first-time effort over the crossbar.

Stoke equalised in the 16th minute through Curley as the Potters midfielder latched onto Andre Vidigal's dangerous pass before firing the ball underneath Magpies 'keeper James Taylor.

Kuol, who had netted five goals in his last seven outings at under-21 level before this evening's clash, went agonisingly close to continuing his goal-laden streak after volleying narrowly wide from Dylan Charlton's in-swinging cross from the left flank.

With the half-time whistle approaching, Stoke were reduced to ten men as Dixon, dismissed in last season's league clash against the Magpies, was sent off after picking up two bookable offences in quick succession.

In the second-half, Newcastle aimed to regain their one-goal cushion as Emerson cleverly evaded Stoke skipper Jake Griffin before the Carlisle-born winger's inviting cross into the box was turned over Gabriel Keita's own crossbar.

In the 57th minute, Harrison sent United's youngsters ahead for a second time of the night. After Kuol surged past Francis Gyimah on the right wing, the Australia international picked out Harrison inside the box, who stroked a low effort into the bottom left-hand corner.

Brayson netted his second goal of the evening in the 76th minute after completing a neat attacking move, firing home from Harrison's low cross after Rory Finneran's pass was initially flicked into Harrison's path by Jay Turner-Cooke.

Harrison turned from provider to goalscorer in the 80th minute as the teenage attacking midfielder, who made his senior debut for Eddie Howe's side in the Magpies' Sela Cup triumph over Stade Brestois, latched onto Brayson's neat cutback before rifling the ball into the roof of the net as United's youngsters returned to winning ways in the Premier League 2.

Newcastle United Under-21s: James Taylor, Ciaran Thompson (Rory Powell 82), Cathal Heffernan (c), Logan Watts, Dylan Charlton, Rory Finneran, Jay Turner-Cooke (Ellis Stanton 82), Alfie Harrison, Garang Kuol (Matheos Ferreira 79), Johnny Emerson (Darren Palmer 70), Joe Brayson.

Subs not used: Tyler Jones.