A huge win and magnificent performance as Eddie Howe’s Mags beat Arsenal 1-0 thanks to Alexander Isak’s first half header and some brilliant defending at the other end.
Here come our ratings from a sensational team effort on Tyneside:
Pope (7) – Back to back clean sheets and was relatively untroubled throughout. Struggles on the ball but doesn’t matter much when he’s protected this well!
Livramento (9) – My man of the match. Gave Martinelli and Jesus absolutely nothing all game, stopping so many attacks down their left. Used the ball well, driving us forward and has firmly established himself as our first choice right back.
Schar (7) – Much improved performance this week, despite the odd silly foul and stupid yellow for kicking the ball away. Didn’t have much to do but so much of what he did was done well.
Burn (7.5) – Whole hearted performance that we’ve come to expect. Got his head onto everything, bullied Havertz and was tidy in possession. Big presence against a physical Arsenal side.
Hall (9) – Unbelievable performance up against Saka. Has improved so much defensively as the season has progressed and showed it here. Won so much in the air, didn’t let Saka past him once, read the play, won the ball several times with some forceful interceptions and was a constant threat in attack too. Take a bow!
Longstaff (8) – Yet another pivotal performance and it’s no coincidence we look a lot more solid when he’s in the midfield. Read danger and did the simple things well. Some nice forward passes to get us on the break.
Guimaraes (8) – Covered every blade of grass and won plenty of crucial free kicks to release the pressure valve. The heartbeat of the team who showed that unique blend of graft and craft once again here.
Willock (7.5) – Watching him in full flight is great to see after his injury troubles. Constant menace throughout and interchanged well with Joelinton.
Gordon (8) – Nobby Solano would’ve been proud of that cross for the first goal! Unbelievable assist. Ran his socks off, lasted the game well and caused Timber issues all game down the right.
Joelinton (7.5) – Gave away plenty of free kicks but that’s part and parcel of what you get with his physicality. Rotated with Willock defensively to add muscle into the centre of midfield.
Isak (8) – Took his goal brilliantly. Looks to be finding his form and never made things easy for Saliba and Gabriel, even bringing down long ball to good effect and linking our attacks. Could see he tired a lot towards the end of the game, but it’s 3 in 3 for him and the perfect week. A fit and firing Isak is crucial to any success this season.
Subs:
Tonali (7) – Some tidy touches shortly after coming on but was given a defensive remit. Did his job well but no real opportunity to showcase the attacking side of his game
Barnes (6) – Defended well without being given much of an opportunity on the break
Kelly (NR)
Straight choice between Longstaff or Hall for man of the match for me, all these fans that called Longstaff should hang your heads
Darren Bebb(Quote)
Darren Bebb:-
The reason people called Longstaff was because he was consistently poor and nowhere near the midfielder he has shown he can be, perhaps it was down to carrying injuries but I am sure all Newcastle fans will be pleased to see him back to a better level.
Also the added competition for places can only help the whole team.
Joseph(Quote)
Joseph if he was carrying injuries last season he was still the midfield’s top scorer which makes the calling of him worse
Darren Bebb(Quote)
Darren, I fully accept that Longstaff played very well yesterday and that his work off the ball is excellent. It may sound churlish in these circumstances but I still ask myself “would any other “top six” side take him”? The answer, of course, is not a chance. He never gets linked with Arsenal or Chelsea does he?
So, no hanging my head here, just a respectful nod and a “well played” to him.
Moving forward in the long term, though…….
The Panther(Quote)
Get what your saying Panther would any of top 6 sign him probably not my grief with some fans is how he was made a scapegoat last season obviously not 100% fit yet he was still the midfield top scorer
Darren Bebb(Quote)
He certainly improved his goalscoring ratio last season, for sure. If only Bruno and Tonali could do similar!
The Panther(Quote)
Not that long ago, Manchester United were after him as one for the future. Don’t know which side of the argument that supports😁. Personally, I think he is one of the workhorses that all good sides have – they may not get everything right, but they get where they need to be and take the weight off the more skilled players. Man U got rid of theirs, and now he’s dominating Serie A. And you can’t argue with the results with him in the side, compared to not.
Finchy(Quote)