Newcastle United were denied a win at Nottingham Forest after Elliot Anderson scored a late equaliser in an often turgid 1-1 draw.
A Harvey Barnes goal after a brilliant pass from Jacob Ramsey saw Newcastle United break the deadlock in the 74th minute after what was in truth a rather dull game.
Both players were brought on just after the hour mark and changed the game, which is a credit to Howe’s in-game management, which has been questioned at times this season.
Anderson, however, would score a late equaliser at the City Ground to break Newcastle hearts in more ways than one.
Here’s how Geordie Boot Boys rated the players…
Nick Pope – 6
Flapped at one cross but made some fairly good saves at times. That’s just the Nick Pope experience at this stage of his career, it seems.
Jacob Murphy – 5
Murphy struggled to get into the game, truth be told.
Dan Burn – 4
Asked to play at left-back despite his previous problems there. Burn clearly isn’t the best left-back in the world and struggled at times in the first half. A strange pick in that position from Howe.
Malick Thiaw – 5
Thiaw‘s dip in form is understandable given the amount of football he’s played but the German was far too weak as the game wore on.
Sven Botman – 5
Does not look robust at the moment. Botman is still capable of winning duels but has been way off the pace for a while now.
Lewis Hall – 5
Oddly played at right-back and that limited his attacking threat. Should have done far better for the goal.
Bruno Guimaraes – 7
Guimaraes has had better games for Newcastle United but he continued to be as important as ever. Perhaps not the most eye-catching of games but he grew into it. He was shattered by the time Anderson scored but still should have done better.
Sandro Tonali – 6
Industrious as ever without really taking the game by the scruff of the neck. Tonali‘s form isn’t in crisis but he’s a few levels below where he was last season.
Joelinton – 7
A decent showing from Joelinton without tearing up any trees.
Nick Woltemade – 5
Some nice touches from Woltemade at times but hardly an emphatic response to being dropped. His quality is clear, it’s just whether it can ever work in the Premier League.
William Osula – 6
Should have done better with a chance in the first half and then hit the bar with a free-kick.