Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin and Matt Ritchie created more chances than any other player outside the traditional “big six” clubs over the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.
ASM set up Callum Wilson’s opener in our 4-2 loss, with Ritchie’s cross finding opposing wing-back Jacob Murphy to head us back in front before a shocking collapse defensively saw us beaten easily.
Saint-Maximin’s inclusion is no real shock given how he tormented that Hammers defence in the first half, however it may surprise a few Toon fans given many slated him for his part in Sunday’s defeat.
He struggled to get crosses away in the second half and was caught out on several occasions defensively, being out of position our caught sleeping for a couple of the Irons’ goals.
Both players created FOUR chances in total, putting them level with West Ham’s Pablo Fornals and ahead of Watford’s Ismailia Sarr and former Toon duo Andros Townsend and Ayoze Perez.
Here is the graph in full, courtesy of The Other 14:
ASM was also second in the charts for most dribbles completed, finishing in second on 10 dribbles behind Wolves winger Adama Traore (11 dribbles).
In another impressive stat, the Frenchman carried the ball further than any other player from the ‘other 14’ clubs, pipping Declan Rice on 304 yards.
Elsewhere, Federico Fernandez topped the charts when it came to combined blocks and clearances – ending the game on 14:
Is this the same Matt Ritchie that was slated in the Blogs player ratings, given a 3.5?
Is this the same Fernandez who was also slated in the Blog’s ratings given a 4.5?
Just wondered
BykerBill(Quote)