Bruce relief as Joelinton finally hits the target
Newcastle 3 Sheffield Utd 0
NEWCASTLE head coach Steve Bruce hopes Joelinton is finally finding his feet in English football after seeing him score his second Premier League goal 301 days after the first.
The 23-year-old Brazilian rounded off a 3-0 win over 10man Sheffield United at St James’ Park on Sunday with a solid 78th-minute finish after passing up a glorious opportunity in the first half, the kind of miss which has earned the £40million summer signing concerted criticism.
Bruce said: “When somebody wants to achieve something and wants to do well, we all want him to do well, staff, players, everybody around.
“He’s a really genuinely good lad and he gives his all for the team, so once you keep doing that and you’re a team player like he is, then you’re going to get the respect of everybody.
“He personally has suffered in the lockdown more than anybody. He’s had no family here, no friends, holed up in an apartment somewhere, so it’s been really, really difficult for the kid, so I’m delighted for him because he’s a really genuinely good pro and he can only get better.”
Joelinton was a the centre of most of the game’s significant moments, his first-half clash with defender John Egan earning both men yellow cards before the Republic of Ireland was handed a second for hauling the frontman back five minutes after the break.
The Magpies capitalised when the impressive Allan Saint-Maximin fired them ahead after Enda Stevens’ error before Matt Ritchie extended their lead and Joelinton wrapped up the points with 12 minutes remaining.