Newcastle United were able to introduce Sandro Tonali from the bench in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Fulham.
Eddie Howe would have been forgiven for being a little frustrated on Saturday afternoon as Newcastle United struggled to break down Fulham.
Jacob Murphy’s opener had been cancelled out by Sasa Lukic, and Newcastle appeared to be heading for a 1-1 draw.
Bruno Guimaraes came up with the big moment late on, scoring from close range after Bernd Leno saved William Osula’s strike.
Substitutes Osula and Anthony Elanga had a hand in the winner, as Howe was able to call on his bench for inspiration.
Marco Silva comments on Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali
Midfielder Sandro Tonali was another player thrown on by Howe in search of a winner.
Tonali was introduced for Lewis Miley around the hour mark, just five minutes after Lukic’s leveller.
The Italian is usually a nailed-on starter in Newcastle’s midfield, but Howe gave him a break with a spot on the bench.
Being able to call on Tonali from the bench is quite the luxury, and one Marco Silva couldn’t quite believe.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Silva noted that Newcastle took more risks on the ball and really stepped it up by sending Tonali on.
Silva added that having Tonali on the bench is Newcastle’s ‘reality’, and Fulham just can’t compete.
“They started to take more risks,” said Silva.
“They pressed us higher. They put a lot of energy in the frontline. They were able to change all the three players in the frontline.
“They were able to put a player like Tonali in the middle of the park. It’s their reality – and it’s not our reality right now,” he added.
Newcastle United’s recruitment highlighted by Sandro Tonali point
Howe went with a midfield three of Bruno, Miley and Joelinton.
Tonali was always likely to come on, and he was certainly the highest-profile substitute brought on by Newcastle.
The other changes highlight Newcastle’s strong recruitment, though, as Fabian Schar, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Elanga and William Osula were all introduced.
Schar is a proven Premier League defender, Barnes and Elanga have shown quality out wide for years and Osula is a real athletic threat off the bench.
£43m summer signing Jacob Ramsey was an unused substitute, such is the strength of Howe’s squad.
Yoane Wissa, Lewis Hall and Valentino Livramento were all out injured and were not even named on the bench.
To see those players ruled out and then still be able to rest key players while winning a Premier League game really sums up the strength of Howe’s squad.
Newcastle’s hit rate in the transfer market has been seriously impressive since PIF’s takeover and that should be commended as Howe attempts to take another step forward.
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