‘Three Amigos’ have serious potential for the Magpies
NEWCASTLE United took another huge step towards survival as they moved seven points clear of the relegation zone after recording backto-back victories over their relegation rivals.
Fabian Schar and Sean Longstaff both scored at St James’ Park as United defeated Burnley 2-0 on Tyneside, just three days after overcoming bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield Town by the same scoreline.
It was far from a classic, but the United faithful will not have cared and instead they delighted in celebrating Schar’s magnificent 20-yard first-half strike, as well as Academy graduate Longstaff ’s first senior goal at St James’ Park.
Here, NUFC Writer Chris Waugh takes us through what we learned from another successful evening for Rafa Benitez and his players...
1. Much-needed inspiration arrives from the most unlikely of sources
Newcastle had attempted to start several attacks through Miguel Almiron, Ayoze Perez and Longstaff during the early stages, but with minimal success, and it took something very speculative to eventually open the scoring during a drab first half.
In the 24th minute, Burnley thwarted the Magpies’ initial buildup play, before eventually the Clarets’ defence backtracked and afforded Schar space 25 yards out.
Looking up, the Swiss defender recognised that the opposition backline were not closing him, and so he decided to let fly.
He caught his effort extremely sweetly, and the ball arrowed into the net via the right-hand post. Tom Heaton dived, but the ball was basically past him before he could even have hoped to have got across to it.
St James’ Park erupted in delight, and the United players ran to the corner to embrace Schar, who celebrated his third Magpies strike with glee.
It was exactly what a game which had been meandering towards nothingness needed – and it is a goal which Schar will certainly remember for a long time to come.
No matter how long he continues to play for United, he’ll be hard pressed to hit a strike quite as sweetly again.
2. The St James’ Park crowd rise to ‘one of their own’
There has been a sea change in mood on Tyneside since the turn of the year, and one of the biggest positives fans can take from the past two months has undoubtedly been the emergence of Longstaff as a genuine first-team regular.
The 21-year-old has excelled in midfield with seven consecutive Premier League starts – and, alongside another solid display came his first ever senior goal at St James’ Park. Matt Ritchie whipped in a dangerous cross towards Rondon, the Venezuelan’s presence dragged three Burnley defenders to the front post and, although it was a Claret who nodded the ball on, they could only divert it into Longstaff’s path.
After taking a heavy touch to his right, the midfielder maintained his composure to merely lash a low effort under Heaton’s body from a tight angle and into the back of the net.
As the Academy graduate and his team-mates celebrated, Newcastle fans began with a chorus of: “Sean Longstaff, he’s one of our own.”
Newcastle supporters like nothing more than to be able to cherish their own homegrown talent, and in Longstaff they genuinely believe they may have unearthed a gem.
Benitez even suggested during his Press conference on Monday that the 21-year-old would not look “out of place” in Gareth Southgate’s England squad. If he continues on this trajectory, nobody would doubt he could break into the Three Lions set-up.
For now though, United fans can merely enjoy watching a boyhood Newcastle fan excel in black-andwhite stripes.
3. A surprise change - but even Manquillo contributes
Benitez had hinted before the game that he could make some changes to his starting XI given that there was only a three-day turnaround following the 2-0 victory over Huddersfield Town.
In fact, the only change to the
team was a surprising one – even by Benitez’s standards – as Javier Manquillo was the one player to come into the team at the expense of DeAndre Yedlin at right-wing-back.
Yedlin had impressed against Huddersfield and, although the American was not injured, the Newcastle backroom staff had run physical tests on all Magpies players and deemed it necessary for the fullback to be rested up so that he is ready to take on West Ham United on Saturday.
It was Manquillo’s first Premier League start since the 0-0 draw with Fulham immediately before Christmas, and seemingly Benitez hoped the Spaniard could expose space down the Clarets’ left-hand side.
While the 24-year-old is suspect defensively and really struggles as an out-and-out full-back in a line of four, he can get forward and provide crosses into the area in attack when utilised as a wing-back, and he even provided the vital assist away at Huddersfield back in mid-December following a swift counter-attack.
And, while Manquillo did not necessarily provide a match-winning moment against Burnley, he played his own small part in what was very much a team victory.
Tasked with staying deeper more often than Yedlin had done at the weekend, Manquillo showed discipline in defence – even if it is evident he is largely clueless when it comes to positioning, it thankfully did not cost his side during this match – as well as a willingness to attack on the occasions such opportunities presented themselves.
Ever since he signed for the Magpies, Manquillo has been derided by a section of supporters – and there is no doubt he is limited.
But Benitez asked the Spaniard to carry out a specific job against the Clarets as the United manager looked to utilise his squad, and Manquillo did not let his compatriot down. Yedlin will likely return this weekend, but Manquillo can reflect positively on what was a decent enough personal display.
4. Newcastle’s ‘Three Amigos’ are a work in progress - but this combination has serious potential
There were some suggestions during the build-up, therefore, that Almiron could be dropped given that he left Atlanta United midway through pre-season to join Newcastle.
But the Paraguayan was once against in the starting XI, providing excitement and anticipation for supporters who had witnessed his electrifying home debut at the weekend.
Almiron has immediately struck a rapport, both on and off the pitch, with fellow Spanish speakers Rondon and Ayoze Perez – and the trio were once again named in United’s attack.
Affectionately dubbed the ‘Three Amigos’ already by supporters, these three attackers have developed an understanding out on the field, despite having trained together for less than a month.
Rondon was again up front, with Almiron and Perez playing either side of the Venezuelan in a 3-4-2-1 formation, and they repeatedly caused problems for the Burnley back three.
Although they were not quite as effective as they had been three days previously, it was still obvious that Almiron’s searing pace unnerved his opponents.
While Huddersfield played a high line, Burnley attempted to stifle space, but Newcastle’s midfielders were still able to find Almiron on occasion – and Rondon made a nuisance of himself both in the air and on the ground.
While none of the trio got themselves on to the scoresheet, they could be send communicating throughout the game – and it is obvious that a burgeoning relationship is being built.
This combination remains a work in progress, but it is one with undoubted potential – and hopefully, the more they play together, the more it will blossom.
5. Whenever Newcastle face a relegation rival, they always deliver
In 10 matches against the other seven sides in the bottom eight so far this season, Newcastle have now collected 19 points.
The only blemish on their record is a narrow defeat they suffered earlier in the season against Brighton & Hove Albion, who are now in freefall, but aside from that Benitez’s men are unbeaten against their direct rivals.
Newcastle have done the double over Burnley and Huddersfield – completing that feat over the past four days – and are now seven points clear of the drop zone.
When it comes to preparing the Magpies for the most significant matches, Benitez always gets it right.
The Spain training camp helped on this occasion, but you wouldn’t bet against the Spaniard delivering in the coming weeks and months as well.