Toon strikers can’t take it to the Max

PERHAPS Allan Saint-maximin was right after all.

The French winger claimed he would have more assists to his name, were he playing with better finishers at Newcastle.

“The day when I have a player capable of finishing the actions, I will have seasons with 10 to 15 assists and I will change opinions in the people’s heads,” he said.

Not the kind of remark to enhance team spirit within the dressing-room and one Toon manager Eddie Howe was predictably quick to claim was taken out of context.

But the validity of Saintmaximin’s controversial comment was shown after just 12 minutes at the Etihad Stadium.

The 25-year-old dispatched a fine cross towards striker Chris Wood, who was unmarked and afforded a free header to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

Yet Wood, with impeccable timing to endorse Saint-maximin’s claims, sent a tame header straight at City goalkeeper Ederson.

Unfortunately for Saint-maximin (above), while he might be right about the Magpies’ lack of quality up front, he was himself culpable for Manchester City’s opener in the 19th minute.

Saint-maximin failed to track Joao Cancelo’s run behind him and, by the time he was aware of the danger, it was too late, the City full-back heading back across the Newcastle goal for Raheem Sterling to score.

Thereafter, he tried to atone, going it alone just before the hour on a typical mazy run, only to screw his shot wide.

Moments later, at the other end, Rodri made it 3-0, with a fine headed finish, the kind Wood should have applied to Saintmaximin’s first-half cross.

The player’s stance was further vindicated when substitute Callum Wilson was put through on goal, only to be thwarted by the advancing Ederson.

And, two minutes from time, former Nice star Saint-maximin crossed for Wilson, who miscued from six yards out.

The irony was surely not lost on the Frenchman.