PLAYER RATINGS: Newcastle 2-1 Bournemouth – 9’s, 8’s and one 7 for Marvellous Mags

Another brilliant day for Steve Bruce’s Mags, with goals from Yedlin and Clark securing a fantastic comeback win at St James’ Park

Here’s an assessment of each player’s performance along with our marks out of 10:

STARTING 11:

Dubravka – 8 – Brilliant close range save in the first half to keep it at 0-0 and was faultless throughout. Commanded his box well when we were under the cosh late on.

Yedlin – 9 – Really does offer so much more than Krafth And Manquillo. Not only scored to get us back level, gambling at the back post when others had switched off, but showed signs of forming a real partnership with Almiron down our right.. His pace is an asset and his work rate and energy was priceless today. His best game for a while.

Fernandez – 9* – What a beast. Just a pure defender and an absolute man mountain at the back today – especially in the second half. Lesser men would have gone off after a boot in the face from “Thunderthighs” Fraser, but he soldiered on and made several key tackles, interceptions and clearances late on. Outstanding.

Lascelles – N/A – Unfair to give a rating after he was forced off early with a knee injury. Appeared to pick it up when colliding awkwardly with Martin Dubravka in the opening few minutes of the match. We coped very well without him in the end, but let’s hope it’s nothing serious.

Clark – 9 – Started well at left centre back, but then moved into the centre and was even better following Lascelles’ withdrawal. Does he ever have a bad game? Commanding and committed at the back and scuffed his goal in brilliantly. He’s now our joint top scorer and has two in two. Lejeune is almost back, but he can’t be dropped on this form!

Willems – 9 – If we don’t sign this lad it’s a travesty. Perfectly suited to the wing back role. Provided the cross for the winner and made vital contributions at both ends. Outstanding stuff again from the on-loan Dutchman.

Hayden – 8 – A pure athlete around that midfield area. Snaps into tackles and wins his battles in the middle. Always looks to get us moving and is starting to look really talismanic. Took a few knocks and was out on his feet late on, but he kept going.

Shelvey – 9 – His ability on the ball has never been in question, with his passing key in releasing our wide men on the break or putting Joelinton in behind, but he was also sensational off the ball today. Timed a few key tackles well and protected the defence well. The arm band has weighed him down in the past, but he wore it with distinction today.

Almiron – 8 – Is he ever going to score? Honestly. The poor kid had his own player clear his effort off the line. Never stops running, or wanting the ball, or driving us forward. Worth his weight in gold, which wouldn’t be much bless him.

Saint-Maximin – 8 – On the ball, this was possibly his quietest game except hitting the bar and one ludicrously good run second half. Off the ball he was absolutely superb. Worked his socks off and gave us a constant outlet on the counter attack. Smashed the bar early on and was unlucky not to score..again!

Joelinton – 7 – Some excellent moments holding the ball up. Some powderpuff moments in front of goal. His positives are clear but the negatives as our main striker are getting harder to defend. He’s a willing runner and a handful, but he needs a goal badly.

SUBS:

Dummett – 8 – Started shakily, with the odd loose pass and him struggling to handle King, but had the measure of the Bournemouth striker the longer the game went on. Timed his tackles brilliantly and was solid as a rock when we needed him to be late on.

Carroll– 8 – Arguably our best defender on the pitch in the last 10 minutes! Took a few knocks for his efforts including a proper kick in the head from Cook and protected the ball well in the corner on the rare occasion he entered the opposition half late on. Looks the part as a leader and senior member of the squad.

Atsu – N/A – Came on for a knackered Saint-Maximin in the 90th minute and barely had a touch as Bournemouth pushed for a goal late on.

(Fancy writing for us? Get in touch at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

3 thoughts on “PLAYER RATINGS: Newcastle 2-1 Bournemouth – 9’s, 8’s and one 7 for Marvellous Mags

  1. Unfair to give Lascelles a rating? He was ****, even before the injury.

    Another brilliant day for Steve Bruce’s Magpies?

    Weren’t you the one moaning on about Charlie Nicholas’s “BIZARRE” statement when he talked about how Bruce likes to play attacking football?

    It really is about time that you guys thought a bit more about the team and a bit less about trying to ingratiate yourselves with the constantly moaning anti -ashley lot and being so negative all the time.

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  2. Briiian:
    Unfair to give Lascelles a rating? He was ****, even before the injury.

    Another brilliant day for Steve Bruce’s Magpies?

    Weren’tyou the one moaning on about Charlie Nicholas’s “BIZARRE” statement when he talked about how Bruce likes to play attacking football?

    It really is about time that you guys thought a bit more about the team and a bit less about trying toingratiate yourselves with the constantly moaning anti -ashley lot and being so negative all the time.

    Wait a second, so you’re moaning about our negativity in a positive article that is praising both Bruce and the team? The hypocrisy from you is baffling at times Brian..

      (Quote)

  3. Briiian:
    Unfair to give Lascelles a rating? He was ****, even before the injury.

    Another brilliant day for Steve Bruce’s Magpies?

    Weren’tyou the one moaning on about Charlie Nicholas’s “BIZARRE” statement when he talked about how Bruce likes to play attacking football?

    It really is about time that you guys thought a bit more about the team and a bit less about trying toingratiate yourselves with the constantly moaning anti -ashley lot and being so negative all the time.

    Also, are you honestly telling me he was right in saying Bruce has always played attacking football?! That piece wasn’t us slating SB, it was commenting on bizarre comments from Nicholas.

    Seems you also missed the part where we said Nicholas was wrong to say our team ‘isn’t capable of playing attacking football’. It is – as we’ve proved over the past two weeks – but you can’t say Bruce has played front foot football during his PL career!

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