Another wonderful night at SJP. Scott Robson was there and has your player ratings. One suspects there will be high marks.
Nick Pope – 7
Strangely, against a team which prides itself on lording it over the opposition possession-wise,
Pope had little to do. Made a timely punch in the first half and a great five-a-side save with his feet but in the second half his only action was to see that late shot whistle inches wide.
Tino Livramento – 8
Very good.
I thought it promising that, in a first half that largely passed us by, Livramento kept the ball and looked for that triangle to get out when he was forced back.
He continued like this in the second half and got really stuck in.
There can be no greater compliment than to say we didn’t miss Trippier as much as I thought we would.
Jamaal Lascelles – 8
Anyone who was wincing at the team pre-match must have forgotten how good Lascelles played Haaland last season and, although he didn’t get the opportunity to nullify him again,
Lascelles was excellent. He organised and looked every inch the club captain.
Paul Dummett – 8
Man of the match for me. Made his first appearance since 1976 and what a comeback it was.
Dummett was magnificent. A perfect, last-ditch challenge denied Grealish while he never lost a tackle all night. In a way, he inspired the way we played in the second half by his first half “get the fuck into them” attitude.
Pencilled in to start the 2026 Champions League Final.
Matt Targett – 7
Struggled to keep the ball in the first half and at one bombshell moment was our furthest man forward. I’m all for total football but that’s not his game.
Stick him in a 50 /50 battle and he’s in his element – as steady as the proverbial Eddie (whoever he was).
Sandro Tonali – 7
Still annoyingly wins the ball with a thunderous tackle (which he did regularly in a fine opening) only to then give it away. Almost like it goes to his head.
You could imagine Trippier yelling “Just calm it Sandro” from the bench.
He was booked, but this was his best game dovetailing with Bruno Guimaraes and that’s progress.
Lewis Miley – 7
The fact he was on the pitch against the European Champions is a culmination of a year’s rapid progress which has left Howe no option but to play him in games like this.
He will learn more from this than any loan spell. Over hit a first half cross when well-placed and no shock to see him go off, but that was obviously the plan beforehand.
Joelinton -7
Welcome back Joelinton. As much of a shock to see him in the team tonight as any other, seen as we were told he would be lucky to see this side of the next international break.
First half he looked rusty but with his mate back in tow, he was unstoppable after the break, continuously bursting through the lines and winning a lot of tackles.
One of those runs set up the goal. We are a better side with him in it.
Jacob Murphy -7
Had the best and only real chance of the first half and it summed up his opening forty five up – he never ever looked comfortable taking the chance on and was never scoring it.
Switching to the left seemed to release him from the shackles and he was much improved after the break. Just like every player really.
Lewis Hall – 6
Played a nice through ball to Isak but struggled a bit with the pace at being hoyed straight into the left wing role. Subbed at half time.
Alexander Isak – 7
Seemed isolated in the first half (Isak can often get like that) and apart from a good ball to put Murphy in he struggled.
However, again he got his goal. I thought he had waited too long but I should really take a look at myself. Isak doesn’t take too long – he is just picking his spot.
What a great position to be in that the two strikers alternating are scoring every time they play.
SUBSTITUTES
Anthony Gordon, for Hall 46 minutes – 8
You know on Trainspotting when Renton gets that injection in the hospital which gets him going? That’s what Gordon did tonight.
Bruno Guimarães, for Miley 46 minutes – 8
This was Bruno at his very best. Has mostly been anonymous against these in the past, but tonight he dragged Newcastle kicking and screaming into the next round.
A second half sub appearance which changed the game.
Miguel Almirón, for Isak 63 minutes – 6
Made a decent fist of emulating Dummett for tackle of the day at one point but was quiet when he came on.
Elliot Anderson, for Tonali 90 minutes.
A bit of a feather in Anderson’s cap that he’s now rested for the League cup bonanza rather than being wheeled out for the sympathy vote. Those days are gone.
Fabian Schär, for Dummett 90 minutes.
Came trotting on after Dummett injured himself doing THAT tackle.
Scott Robson
