This may have been a kickabout, but one staged in the most magnificent of settings and with a memorable moment for Miguel Almiron returning home with many of his former fans looking on.

Two months after they drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge, Newcastle and Chelsea reprised that season closing result in Atlanta United's astonishing Mercedes Benz Stadium as the Premier League's "Summer Series" competition continued.

A sold-out crowd of almost 71,000 included many Blues sympathisers, a scattering of black and whites and a good number of hometown supporters who gathered to welcome back the player last sighted here in December 2018 before his sale to the Magpies the following month.

The Paraguayan repaid that support with an excellent run and finish in first half added time, sending the sides in level after Nicolas Jackson had netted against the run of play after 12 minutes.

Almiron's goal was created by Anthony Gordon, who again caught the eye and was our chief attacking threat until some late forays by Alexander Isak threatened to open up the opposition.

With one eye on Friday's concluding game, Eddie Howe named a strong side including youngster Lewis Miley with a lightweight bench - the rest of the seniors rested ahead of Brighton.

Lining up in a more familiar formation than against Aston Villa, United lost Fabian Schar during the first half with a hamstring tweak; Dan Burn moving from left back and Alex Murphy going there - with the rookie defender forcing a save out of Arrizabalaga after meeting Isak's cross.

There was just one interval change but it was a productive one; Nick Pope proving his fitness following post-season finger surgery with a trio of top-drawer stops to deny Christopher Nkunku, Conor Gallagher and best of all, Ben Chilwell in time added on.

The core of the side played most or all of the game; Almiron withdrawn late on to loud cheers and unsurprisingly awarded the man of the match.

Back to that ground though; number 356 on the NUFC.com never-ending tour and on a different scale and level to anything experienced before. The wow factor from the vast size of the place extends to the mind-blowing big screens mounted above the pitch

In scale it's on a par with Wembley and Old Trafford, but despite the enclosed roof there's a feeling of airiness and space lacking at either venue. In crowd terms there's a comparison to be made with the National Stadium in Kiev, but almost 100,000 fervent Ukrainians created a rather more fervent atmosphere than here - doubtless aided by the bottles of vodka many of them carried....

A noticeable lack of stewarding and restrictions over where to walk meant that it was possible to complete a full lap of the place on all three levels - something unimaginable in Europe.

We did spot NUFC CEO Darren Eales making his way through the crowds pre-game - also back on his old stamping ground, having delivered this stadium while serving as Atlanta United President.

We're totally committed to remaining at SJP, but it's impossible not to think "what if?" when actually confronted by the enormity of this place first hand.