Newcastle United started where they left off before the restart winning 3-0 at home against Sheffield United.
The win for the home side has seen them now record back to back wins for the first time this calendar year.
The two sides went in level at half time with the score at 0-0. The biggest chance of the first half fell to Joelinton. The Brazilian striker went through one on one with the keeper only to scuff his chance.Â
The second half started as even as the first half only for Sheffield United defender John Egan see a second yellow card for a shirt pull. That would prove to be the game-changer with Saint-Maximin scoring five minutes later from a Matt Ritchie cross.Â
Ritchie then went from provider to goalscorer, he picked the ball up from just outside the box and unleashed a bullet that gave Henderson no chance. If the game wasn’t over then it was in the 78th minute. Joelinton made up for his earlier miss by getting onto the end of an Almiron cross to wrap the game up.
Player Ratings
GK: Martin Dubravka – 7
The Slovakian was never troubled today. He did the basics right and will hope he has a few more games like this during the rest of the season.
RB: Javier Manquillo – 7
Looked very comfortable today. Kept Stevens very quiet and managed to get forward and support his teammates when required. Only loss of concentration was when he let Billy Sharp get beyond him with the score at 1-0.Â
CB: Jamaal Lascelles – 7
Solid Captains performance at the back today. Very strong in the air and looked comfortable with the ball at his feet.
CB: Frederico Fernandez – 7
Identical performance to his centre back partner. Did not put a foot wrong in the game and looked solid.
LB: Danny Rose – 7Â
Looked very assured at the back today. Tended to hit the long pass instead of looking to play it short. Overall solid game
RM: Matt Ritchie – 9 – Man of the match
Very good day at the office for the Scottish winger. Always involved with anything in the game. Set up Saint-Maximin for the first goal, then produced a rocket to get himself on the scoresheet.Â
CM: Isaac Hayden – 8Â
Full of running in the midfield. Got himself an assist, setting up Ritchie for his sides second.
CM: Jonjo Shelvey – 7Â
A decent performance from the Englishman. Very rarely gave away possession.
RM: Allan Saint-Maximin – 8
Top performance today from the Frenchman. Always looking to run with the ball and caused problems with his dribbling and pace throughout. Got himself on the scoresheet and a nice goal.
CAM/CF: Miguel Almiron – 8
Caused Sheffield United problems all game with his running between the line and constant pressing. Got himself an assist with a lovely ball to Joelinton to make it 3-0
ST: Joelinton -8
Showed great character to come back from the miss in the first half. Lovely link-up place with Almiron to put the game to bed. His first goal at St. James’ Park should do his confidence the world of good.
Substitutions – requires longer than 15 minutes to receive a rating*
Andy Carroll -> Joelinton (79th minute)
Nabil Bentaleb -> Saint-Maximin (79th minute)
Valentino Lazaro -> Almiron (85th minute)
Fabian Schar -> Shelvey (85th minute)
DeAndre Yedlin -> Ritchie (90+2 minute)