We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle United 3 West Brom 2 in the Carabao Cup.
Newcastle are safely through to the third round of the Carabao Cup (at Millwall, God help us) with a win, while not emphatic, was well-deserved. The scoreline does not reflect our superiority but it doesn’t really matter.
It was no surprise to see Newcastle fielding a much-changed XI after the lung-busting efforts against Liverpool and the opportunities a similar performance could yield at Tottenham. I think there would have been more changes had we not acquired so many defensive injuries.
I thought we had nothing to worry about for the first 10 minutes. We looked fluid and confident. But West Brom – a decent team – came into the game more and more, and scored a clever goal from a direct free kick.
The Baggies played a fairly simple 4-4-2, with a compact midfield, and for a while it seemed to baffle the heck out of Newcastle United. Given that we hardly ever see it in the PL any more, it looked like a new invention to some of our players. But we slowly got to grips with things, and regained a bit of composure. A well-earned equaliser followed, with a couple of our new lads combining well.
I couldn’t tell you whether it was a tactical re-jig or the arrival of Harvey Barnes, but Newcastle looked much better from the get-go in the second half. And it was Barnes who scored to put us 2-1 up.
At that point I thought we’d run away with the game, especially when Elanga and Wissa joined the party, but West Brom were thrown an undeserved lifeline when we gave away a penalty from which they scored.
Being pegged back to 2-2 via a penalty for the second time in our first two games did nothing for my nerves or confidence, but I needn’t have worried. Newcastle got straight back on the front foot and scored what proved to be the winner.
Overall, I was happy enough with this game. We have to accept that we have new players all over the park, have lost some of our best footballers, and have a new manager. It’s going to take time to get where we want to be.
Ewen Jaouen 6
Was completely mugged for the Baggies first, failing to guard his near post.
Was competent otherwise and could do nothing about the penalty.
Amar Dedić 9
I like the look of this lad a lot.
Once he gets used to working with a Murphy or Elanga, he’ll be a real asset.
Defended well and was eager to get up the park. Sometimes a bit too eager – was stranded upfield once or twice. On the other hand, he got two assists, so I’m not going to criticise.
I noticed he’s not afraid to give his colleagues a piece of his mind and that’s a good thing in a new arrival.
Malick Thiaw 7
Solid in defence, got a good header on target, recorded an assist, and never looked flustered.
Dan Burn aside, I couldn’t see any natural captains left after Bruno’s departure, but he’ll do for me.
Sven Botman 7
Likewise Big Sven. It wasn’t as if West Brom spent all game stretching our defence, but when called upon, he was strong, decisive and proactive.
Lewis Hall 7
Poor lad. Had a decent game, then gave away a penalty for the second time in two games.
Nearly redeemed himself minutes later by smashing a shot off the post.
Looked more comfortable working with Barnes than he did with Touré but that is to be expected.
Jacob Ramsey 6
A quiet evening – I don’t remember him doing a great deal, but I think he took time to sort out his role in a 4-2-3-1, plus a new colleague.
But he did nothing wrong and played his part.
Looked a little out of his depth to begin with and gave away the free kick from which West Brom scored. But he grew into the game nicely.
Looks assured. Doesn’t try anything silly, and given his age, that’s the sign of a good player.
Jacob Murphy 5
Got a few crosses in, got a few tackles in, and didn’t look out of place.
None of his crosses found their target, but WBA will argue that was down to the massed ranks of their defence, who crowded out their box.
But in truth, Murphy had little impact on the game. I doubt he’s going to be a first-choice player any more but I can’t see the benefit of letting him go.
Joe Willock 7
All the talk is that Willockinho will be gone by the end of the transfer window but I thought he looked decent here (as he was on Sunday).
More positive than many of his teammates and tried to make things happen. If he stays a magpie, I wouldn’t be heartbroken.
Clearly not used to his colleagues, nor the physicality of the English game, but his head didn’t go down, and scored our first.
Taken off at half time but he’ll feel fairly satisfied with his evening’s work. A learning experience.
Nick Woltemade 5
Some good touches, some not-so-good.
A section of the crowd seems to have turned on him and aired their frustration when he was trying to make things happen in the first half.
For me, he is a peripheral figure – doesn’t get involved in the game enough. He would argue that when he was playing the number 9 role, he got little or no service.
He certainly improved in the second half when Wissa played ahead of him and the crowd warmed to him.
Photo by Hutch via The Mag
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Harvey Barnes 9
Newcastle’s performance improved from the moment he entered the fray at the start of the second half and scored a couple of very well-taken goals.
With Anthony Gordon plying his trade elsewhere and so many young players being brought in, Barnes is a senior player. In this game, he looked like it.
Yoane Wissa 7
Last season’s flop seems to have rescued his reputation within a couple of games. He looked sharp, keen and committed after being introduced in the second half. Fingers crossed we’ll see the Wissa that elevated Brentford.
Anthony Elanga 8
Ditto Elanga. Deservedly second-choice behind Murphy last season, looking like a new man this. Fast, eager, progressive and creative. Looks like a new signing, to coin a cliché.
Lewis Miley 6
This could be – and needs to be – the season that Miley establishes himself as one of the first names on the team sheet. He looked OK in this game, but didn’t impose himself, I’d start him on Saturday though.