FINALE All bets are off as 4 TONALI!
SANDRO TONALI ran on to the St James’ Park turf to a huge ovation.
Newcastle were 4-0 up when the Italy international came on after 70 minutes to make what could be his last game for a year, with a lengthy ban for breaking betting rules looming.
After two weeks of personal turmoil, the 23-year-old felt exactly how much love the Geordie crowd have for him.
Boss Eddie Howe had asked for the crowd to “throw their arms” around the £52milllion midfielder, despite his misdemeanours while at Milan which could scupper this season and beyond.
Howe had other heroes on display too. Jacob Murphy with a goal and an assist, Kieran Trippier brilliant and Anthony Gordon elusive.
But it felt emotional as the young star, now labelled a “gambling addict” by his agent, led a lap of honour thanking team-mates and supporters for their backing.
In future Tonali may get a chance to repay that loyalty and solidarity shown by Howe and the Tyneside crowd.
United ran riot and became the league’s top scorers. The perfect start saw them ahead inside four minutes following a brilliant finish by Murphy.
He combined expertly with Trippier. Fab Schar drove a diagonal ball to the England full-back who cushioned a lovely pass into the box for Murphy to lob inside the back post.
It was flagged for offside but a VAR check showed Trippier was onside.
Howe’s men were in full flight, moving the ball quickly and creating chances particularly down the right, but even so Gordon hit the bar from five yards out with an open goal.
Trippier then crossed to Callum Wilson at the back post, who nodded over from close range.
The second arrived just before halftime. After a dribble Schar sprayed the ball right to Murphy who used the overlapping Trippier as a distraction to cross to the far post where Gordon was on hand to net
In first-half injury time it was three. Trippier, again, launched a ball to the edge of the box which Marc Guehi failed to clear and Sean Longstaff, sidefooted home from 18 yards out.
Three up at half-time was the sort of routine win Howe wanted before their Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
Newcastle’s fourth was a length of the pitch five-touch wonder with Wilson providing the finish. Nick Pope rolled the ball to Trippier and he slid Murphy in who whipped across to Wilson. So simple and easy, but alarming for Crystal Palace.