A brilliant start to the Sela Weekender for Newcastle United as a Sean Longstaff brace, another goal for Jacob Murphy and smart Anthony Gordon finish saw us batter Girona 4-0 at St James’ Park.
Here come the ratings and some comments on each player involved in on the night:
Pope (7) – Great save in the first half and made one near post stop in the second, but otherwise untroubled aside from a tough back pass from Livramento.
Livramento (7.5) – Assist for the first goal and linked up well with Murphy. Careless giveaway in the first half nearly led to a goal, but he was a constant outball down our right and looks ready to make that position his own.
Krafth (7) – Much improved performance after an awful second 45 against Yokohama and looks to have formed a good understanding with Burn. Handy squad player.
Burn (7) – Comfortable at the back and was never troubled. Solid, no nonsense and almost scored after a powerful effort was well saved in the first half.
Hall (7.5) – Looks very comfortable on the ball and has a knack of being able to get himself out of trouble. Won the ball high up several times and is growing in confidence every game.
Longstaff (8) – A couple of goals will give him a much needed confidence boost. As usual, takes up great positions in attack and does the little things well. Much maligned but did well today after being wasteful in the final third last time out.
J Miley (7.5) – Has really maximised his opportunities in pre season. Hasn’t looked out of place and put a good shift in. Won tackles and was tidy in possession. A quietly impressive display from Lewis’ older brother.
Joelinton (9*) – What a beast. An absolute destroyer in midfield who’s pressing and ability to break up play sets up the attacks perfectly. Had a hand in everything positive and one of the first names on the team sheet going into the new season.
Murphy (8.5) – Who says we need a quality right winger to come in? Murphy doing everything he can to prove he is more than capable. Took his goal with trademark confidence and enter the season in great form.
Gordon (8) – No concerns about his fitness. Took his goal well and was a menace down the left in the first half. Given 45 minutes but looks sharp for the season ahead.
Isak (8) – Did everything but score. Penalty miss aside, a great performance from Isak who caused the defence all sorts of problems with his dribbling and movement. He’s genuinely unplayable at times.
Subs:
Sanusi (7.5) – We have a real talent on our hands here. Full of youthful exuberance and no shortage of skill. Has earned to be in and around the first team and showed flashes of brilliance today. Work to do on final ball and gave it away a few times, but he was fearless and showed real confidence to show for the ball and take his man on.
Parkinson (6.5) – Always hard coming on a a sub in a friendly as the rhythm of the game is gone but he looked ok today. Will be gutted he didn’t bury his chance right at the end.
Ruddy (6.5) – One game, One clean sheet! Good to see him get a few minutes to play at home. Did nothing wrong in the short time he was on.
Hernes (N/A) – Only on for the final two minutes.
Stanton (N/A) – See above.
Who says we need a quality right winger to come in?
EVERBODY!!!!!!
One swallow doesn’t make a summer (though it can spice up a Friday night).
BykerBill(Quote)
Obviously it’s a typo!
BykerBill(Quote)
We need a consistent quality right winger, the problem with Murphy is he lacks that consistency blows hot and cold.
A decent squad player who can be used as an impact sub imo, can’t fault his effort.
As for Almiron he is not as good as Murphy, can’t fault his effort either.
To get to help get to the next level we need an upgrade in this position.
Joseph(Quote)