Merit only way to get into starting XI under Howe
GAP TO HORNETS CLOSES AND BRAZILIAN REPAYS FAITH
THE rejuvenation of Joelinton continued as Newcastle United beat Burnley 1-0 at St James’ Park.
Despite an awkward start to the game in which the former Hoffenheim striker lost the ball a couple of times, he found the strength to recover quickly from the setback and get on with his game.
Against one of the most physical teams in the division, the Brazilian held his own and threw his weight around.
The 25-year-old is finding his feet at Newcastle after a couple of seasons and having struggled in the early part of his stint on Tyneside, he now has the crowd singing his name.
To the tune of ‘She’s Electric’ by Oasis, those in the Strawberry Corner sang: “He’s Brazilian, He only cost 40 million, and we think he’s f***king brilliant, it’s Joelinton.”
For a player who has struggled to win plaudits at times, as well as being burdened with the number number shirt at the start of his Toon career, it is a moment he must have savoured.
SUDDENLY THE GAP DOESN’T SEEM SO BAD
United’s 1-0 win over Burnley was vital but fans still had eyes and ears on the clash between fellow strugglers Watford and title hopefuls Manchester City on the way home.
The Hornets shocked the football world when they hammered Manchester United 4-1 recently so it was never going to be a foregone conclusion that Man City would do Eddie Howe a favour in Hertfordshire.
But a 3-1 win for City means that the gap is just three points between United and fourth-bottom Watford.
If Brentford beat Claudio Ranieri’s men on Friday night, a shock win for United at Leicester could potentially lift them out of the relegation places for the first time since September.
THE MAGPIES AVOID BEING LAST ON MATCH OF THE DAY
Let’s face it, Newcastle’s clash against Burnley looked odds-on to be last on Match of the Day given the tasty fixture list in the Premier League on Saturday.
Title-chasing trio Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool were all in action, against Watford, West Ham and Wolves respectively, but even the other game held some intrigue.
A South Coast derby between Southampton and Brighton and Hove Albion meant that it was likely a scrap between two relegation candidates would not get the wider public salivating and would end the evening.
However, with the Magpies winning their first game since May and recording their first victory since the takeover, it meant fans didn’t have to stay up too late – even if it was hardly an intoxicating display of champagne football.
HOWE’S TEAM SELECTION
Many expected Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Ritchie to walk straight back into the team after suspension but only the captain was afforded that luxury.
You would think that the Bournemouth connection might have resulted in former Scotland international Ritchie swiftly regaining his place after his ban.
However, the new head coach has said the team will be picked on merit.
And for Jamal Lewis, it meant he was rewarded with a second start in a row with the Northern Ireland star playing well again.
Deciding whether to stick with a winning formula or make a few tweaks will be a tough call for Howe.