Dream debut as Longstaff sinks United
STEVE BRUCE saluted Matty Longstaff’s impressive debut after seeing him fire Newcastle to their first home victory of the season against struggling Manchester United.
The 19-year-old, who lined up alongside older brother Sean in the Magpies’ midfield, smashed home a 73rd-minute winner to cap a perfect day at St James’ Park.
In the process, he handed Bruce his first win over the club for which he played with such distinction as a manager and extended the Red Devils’ run without an away victory to 11 games in all competitions.
Bruce said: “It’s quite ironic. Matty Longstaff’s beaten them in his first game and I’ve been going 20-odd years. I’m delighted for everyone concerned, and of course the response was the great thing.
“When it fell to him - he blasted one in here against St-Etienne [in preseason] in exactly the same position, and we’ve seen him in training.
“‘Surely not’, was the call, but he smashed it in the net. It was great.”
Bruce went back to basics after last weekend’s 5-0 drubbing at Leicester, but, boosted by the return from injury of lively winger Allan Saint-Maximin and the energy provided by the Longstaff brothers, saw his team turn in a vastly-improved display just when they needed it most.
The win was thoroughly deserved as the visitors, who failed to muster a shot on target against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening, once again proved blunt in attack and were made to pay for it by the younger Longstaff.
Head coach Bruce said: “He trains every day with a big, beaming smile on his face, he’s refreshing, wants to play, he’s a great kid and I’m delighted.
“Typical of him, the first thing he said to me coming off was ‘Thank you’. It’s ridiculous after what he’s just done.”
If Bruce was thrilled to have taken the wind out of the sails of some of his critics, opposite number Ole Gunnar Solskjaer cut a frustrated figure as he assessed the wreckage of a defeat which left his team in 12th place in the table, 15 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
The Norwegian said: “We have given ourselves a very, very tough task to get into the top six, never mind top four, and we’ve got to get results straight away.
“We need to get on a run, get momentum.
“I can’t give you what’s acceptable – every game should be one that we should look to win at this club.”
Things might have been different had defender Harry Maguire buried a free header on the stroke of half-time but his manager did not attach too much blame to the £80million summer signing.
The former United striker said: “Yes, but that’s football. I missed bigger chances, seriously. If you’re 2-0 up and your team is winning every game, he’ll close his eyes and score on that one.
“At the moment, it’s just not going for us and Harry knows he could have, should have scored.
“We know it’s a big opportunity, a big moment in the game.”
Goalkeeper David De Gea says improvements are needed across the board as the goalkeeper endures his “most difficult time” at Manchester United.
Asked how United can put things right and what is missing, the Spain goalkeeper told Sky Sports: “Everything.
“A lot of things to improve. I don’t know what to say. Just keep trying, keep fighting, keep improving every day.
“It’s a hard moment for us, a difficult moment but we’re United, we need to keep fighting.” FRANK LAMPARD believes Chelsea can challenge at the top of the Premier League this season, but only if they keep up the work-rate and togetherness they currently have.
Chelsea made it four consecutive wins in all competitions with a 4-1 victory over Southampton at St Mary’s after goals from Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount, N’Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi.
Chelsea have 14 points and are two off second-placed Manchester City – after the champions’ shock home defeat to Wolves – but trail Liverpool by 10 after eight fixtures this term.
Lampard said: “I think we are a few points short of where we should be, based on our performances and that is not bad luck, just me being self-critical because there are games where we should have gained more points from so that is on us, but I’m pretty happy.
“I am happy we are in and around the [top] group. Obviously Liverpool are out on their own at the minute, but at this early stage we are in a nice position.
“This should give us determination to go away [for international duty] and come back in the same vein.” UNAI EMERY hailed the positive impact of David Luiz as the summer signing’s first Arsenal goal secured victory over Bournemouth.
Luiz, 32, joined from Chelsea in August and recorded his maiden goal and first clean sheet as the North London side won 1-0 to move third in the table, just a point adrift of reigning champions Manchester City.
The shut-out was only the second time in 13 league games that Emery’s side have stopped the opposition from scoring as Bournemouth lacked a cutting edge at the Emirates Stadium.
Luiz’s glancing header from Nicolas Pepe’s ninth-minute corner ended up settling the contest – with Emery praising the defender after the game.
“Yes, because he’s very positive,” he replied when asked if Luiz is popular in the dressing room.
“Every time he’s speaking about positive things and helping young players. He came late into the squad but really, his commitment is very high with us, and his behaviour is too.
“We knew if we won, we’d go third. For our confidence and our way, it was important, but not feeling the pressure of that.”