An important win for Newcastle United as goals from Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali completed the comeback against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
Here’s our marks out of 10 and comments following the 3-1 win at St. Mary’s:
Dubravka (7) – Retained his place with Pope back in the matchday squad. Could do nothing about the goal and made one special point blank to deny Harwood-Bellis at 2-1.
Livramento (6) – Could’ve done more for the goal and wasted some good attacking positions. Room for improvement but his one on one defending remains impeccable and he made some good forward runs.
Schar (5) – Was nowhere to be seen for the first goal and was very fortunate to have his blushes spared by VAR late on, totally missing his header before Fernandes’ goal was given offside. Botman is breathing down his neck.
Burn (7.5) – Mr consistent. Threw his body in front of everything and gave away nothing. Was dragged out of position for the goal but otherwise very good.
Hall (7) – Handled everything that was thrown at him. Southampton favoured their right hand side but Hall was defensively sound. Has come on in leaps and bounds and looks solid again after a shaky display last weekend.
Guimaraes (7) – Typically tidy in possession and noticeably seems to enjoy having the ball playing Tonali alongside him. No longer being double teamed by opposition and it’s unlocking his attacking prowess, although probably not as his absolute best
Tonali (8.5) – Sounding like a broken record but he’s unbelievable. Runs all day and very rarely concedes possession. Makes everything tick. Took his goal superbly
Joelinton (6.5) – Seems happy in his role as chief destroyer. Knows he has Bruno and Tonali to do the ball playing while he just causes havoc. Had a couple of chances but lacked composure in front of goal. A few sloppy moments on the ball and was slightly fortunate to avoid a yellow after a lunge on Onuachu.
Murphy (7.5) – Glorious assist yet again for Isak yet again and rattled the post in the second half with a brilliant effort from range. Clamour for an upgrade remains but it’s hard to see what more Murphy needs to do to prove he’s good enough.
Gordon (7) – Another assist continues his purple patch of goal involvements. I has matured as a footballer a lot since arriving at the club.
Isak (8.5) – Best striker in the country without doubt. Another clinical brace to top off a superb all round performance. The first touch and finish for his second was world class
Subs:
Willock (NR)
Miley (NR)
Almiron (NR)
Longstaff (NR)
Tonali. What a signing. For as long as we can hang on to him, good news all day. And the better news is, nobody back where he belongs, can afford him! “Sandro is a Geordie” anyone?
davewallace(Quote)
Bruno score a bit high for me, teams know they can nick the ball off him yet he still dallies.
Isak, Tonali and Burn the spine of the team.
Joseph(Quote)
Bruno – “No longer being double teamed by opposition and it’s unlocking his attacking prowess”
When Southampton are not double teaming him you know he’s not playing well, or, they’ve just figured out how to play him with one.
BykerBill(Quote)