A brilliant display from the Magpies were goals from Murphy, Gordon, Longstaff and Wilson secured a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace. Bring on Dortmund on Wednesday! Here come the ratings:
Nick Pope – 7 – Relatively quiet afternoon in front of goal but made a really good save from a free-kick in the second half.
Kieran Trippier – 9 – Totally bossed the right hand side of the pitch throughout the game. Chipped in with an assist for Murphy’s goal and set piece delivery was on point all afternoon. Booked for an altercation with Eduoard in the first half. Yet another performance from the England man, with 68 passes and two of them key.
Jamaal Lascelles – 8 – Another rock solid showing showing from Lascelles, who is stringing together some superb performances. Passed well out from the back and looked really comfortable all game up against Mateta.
Fabian Schar – 8.5 – Passing was absolutely unbelievable today. Cross field balls 30-40 yards across the pitch on point all afternoon and stepped out of defence superbly. A fantastic ball-playing centre back who made it look easy.
Dan Burn – 7.5 – Two weeks rest has done him the world of goods as looked really comfortable and astute in possession all afternoon, also defending well down our left.
Bruno Guimaraes – 8 – Bossed the midfield battle with a cultured performance in the middle of the park. Barely put a foot wrong all game, always passing the ball with purpose and dictating the tempo of our play. Won all of his duels in midfield demonstrates his dominance. World Class.
Joelinton – 8 – Really solid performance coming back from injury and great to see him back on the pitch. Back to his old self, full of energy and endeavour in the middle of the park. Drove brilliantly through the lines and looked a real threat. Taken off at the 80 minute mark for a rest.
Sean Longstaff – 8 – Such a key part of our engine room. Linked up brilliantly with Trippier and Murphy, especially in the first half, showing moments of class in possession to prove he does more than just the dirty work. Scored with a cool finish, capitalising on a Crystal Palace error. England call is surely looming.
Jacob Murphy – 9 – First Premier League start of the season for Murphy and a brilliant man of the match performance. His goal was a bit of a freak, but he also bagged two brilliant assists; one for Gordon and another for Wilson. Involved in so much of our good work in a truly fantastic display.
Callum Wilson – 7.5 – Took his goal beautifully in the second half with his last touch of the game before coming off for Isak. Held the ball up really well and has given Howe a serious selection headache for Dortmund on Wednesday.
Anthony Gordon – 9 – Another unbelievable performance from Gordon, whose dribbling caused Palace all sorts of problems, cutting inside at times but also getting to the byline. Seems to be getting in a lot more goal scoring positions and took his goal beautifully after missing a sitter just before in a similar position. Looks the real deal and a suddenly seems a bargain at the reported £40m fee. Can’t wait to see him tear Dortmund apart on Wednesday night.
Substitutes:
Sandro Tonali – 6 – Really nice to see him get on the pitch. Absolutely gutted for the lad but hope he gets through this really tough period in his life.
Elliot Anderson – 6 – Competitive as ever, hopefully more to come from him.
Alexander Isak – 7 – Linked up the midfield and attack really well, releasing Almiron through for a great chance soon after coming on.
Miguel Almiron – 6 – Missed a good chance soon after coming on, firing his effort straight at Johnstone.
Tino Livramento – 6 – Looked composed and calm replacing the masterful Trippier. Stopped a few crosses well.
