We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Tottenham 0 Newcastle United 2 in the Premier League.
Well, well, well. What do we have here?
A Newcastle United team with confidence, poise and flair. It’s certainly starting to look this way. A poor pre-season, followed by a promising start when the real stuff began, is suddenly looking like a campaign of real potential.
I’ve been a Newcastle fan long enough to know it’s wise not to get carried away, but given the pessimism on Tyneside a week ago, I’m enjoying what I’ve seen so far.
And there was much to enjoy about this performance. The defence looked cohesive, the midfield kept things simple, and we had pace and purpose up top. And so far, we are not missing any of our high-profile departures. One of them played against us today, and to be fair, looked quite good in the first half. But he was subbed off long before the end, having been unable to make any impact on the game.
It was one of those games in which everyone played their part, and followed the gameplan to the letter. Tottenham looked much-improved from last season’s version, and were the better side in the first half. But not by miles, and we dealt with them well enough. Indeed, we nearly scored right at the start of the game, and looked dangerous on the counter.
The second half was ours. As Tottenham ran out of ideas, we took full advantage, with a fantastic breakaway goal and another down to good reactions in the box.
We will have problems at some stage this season, I am sure, but four points from our opening games against two of the Sky Six is more than I expected. Our new coach, our new players and our old hands should all take a bow.
The lads have a full week before our next game – Bournemouth at home. I reckon they’ll be looking forward to it. I am.
Lukáš Horníček 7
Looks like a decent keeper, although Newcastle’s defence ensured he wasn’t overworked.
Looked assured when he was called into action and handled everything without fuss. Like most of our new signings, looks like he’s been here for years.
Amar Dedić 8
This lad is a find.
As I remarked on Wednesday, he is more than fond of a gallop upfield, which could, on occasion, leave our defence exposed. But as long as his manager is happy with his play, I most definitely am.
Good strong defender, and so far this season, our leading assister.
Malick Thiaw 7
I’ve always liked Thiaw but he was prone to lapses in concentration last season. Not so far this and our captain is helping us look strong in defence.
Blocked well, got his head on things, and, as ever, good on the ball. A well-deserved clean sheet.
Sven Botman 7
I’m delighted that big Sven has come through three games unscathed and looking something like the player we bought before his catalogue of injuries.
If he can stay healthy, it will be a major bonus. He was a colossus against Spurs.
Lewis Hall 9
I thought Lewis Hall was immense. Would not be beaten – always seemed to have the better of whoever was trying to go past him. And as we know, he’s pretty good on the ball.
I see Jamie Carragher gave Elanga the Player of the Match award and I have no intention of disagreeing with the whiny scouser. For what it’s worth, I would have given it to Lewis Hall. And he didn’t give away a penalty!
Class.
You could see he was unused to his team mates to begin with, and probably not 100% match fit, but dear me, he’s good on the ball.
Like all the best midfield players, he makes time and space, and what a pass he has! Sandro who?
Lewis Miley 7
I feel a bit mean giving Miley a 7, as I imagine he followed his manager’s instruction to the letter.
Held his position, was always available to receive the ball, and used it intelligently without doing anything silly.
Sometimes a solid performance is everything you need.
Photo by Jamie Smith via The Mag
Anthony Elanga 9
We all hoped we’d see this version of Elanga last season, but for whatever reason, he failed to set Tyneside alight.
Yet from minute one against Liverpool, he’s looked like the real deal, and he carried that form into today. Fast, sharp and clinical in front of the net. Superb run and finish for his goal. Well played.
Joe Willock 7
A few of my mates thought he was poor today but I thought he did OK for the most part.
I think he got a bit carried way by the positive reviews he got in our first two games and tried to do everything on his own today.
If he’d made better decisions in the final third, he’d be on for a 9/10.
Harvey Barnes 7
I’m liking what I’m seeing of Barnes this season.
I don’t know if it’s due to Gordon’s departure, or his own new contract, but he seems to have stepped up to the plate and been more involved.
Nothing spectacular today, but he was willing and positive, and didn’t drift out of the game as he has in the past.
Yoane Wissa 8
He and Elanga are on pretty much the same trajectory so far this campaign.
Looked like an expensive flop last season; looks like a player reborn this. He was full of running against Tottenham and scored a great improvised goal. It may have looked simple but to calculate what he needed to do and then execute it in a split second and a crowded penalty area was top-level striking.
SUBS
Nick Woltemade 7
Looked more purposeful than he has done sometimes and got into the game quickly.
Got an assist for our second by doing exactly what coaches tell you to do – put the ball into a dangerous area. Chuffed for him.
Sean Steur 7
This lad is going to have some good times at St James’ Park.
As someone else said, he’s a 24-year-old in an 18-year-old’s body. Has taken to the Premier League like a mackem to cheesy chips. Keeps it simple. Uses the ball well.
Jacob Ramsey N/A
Not on long enough to judge. His job was to see the game out, which he did.
Jacob Murphy N/A
As above. We needed fresh legs and discipline in the last 10 minutes and he gave us that.
Bazoumana Touré N/A
Only on for a minute or two, but became a meme for laughing in the face of World Cup-winning halfwit Pedro Porro, who was trying to intimidate him. Good lad.