All-action hero Joelinton shows he’s a bona fide No 9

THE finish was befitting of a Newcastle striker wearing the No 9 on his back. Instant control with his right foot, unerring strike with his left. Joelinton’s Magpies career has finally taken off after his 27th-minute winner shocked Tottenham yesterday. Of course, the Brazilian may never be revered as much as the likes of Alan Shearer. But if he can muster goals like he did here, then Newcastle will make a decent fist of staying in the top flight. The 23-year-old’s club record £40million fee was always going to be a burden, particularly when he didn’t find the net in his first two games. But his willingness to make life difficult for centre-backs Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld bodes well for Steve Bruce’s men. In Newcastle’s opening defeats against Arsenal and Norwich, Joelinton cut an isolated figure. But here Newcastle were able to get players closer in support and looked far better for it. Bruce said: ‘He’s only been here for a month and we can play to his strengths better. If we can get the ball into him, we can be more direct. ‘When you come for big money, you want to score and get off the mark. The way he took his goal was excellent.’ In a week where he faced stinging criticism following a 3-1 defeat at Carrow Road, Bruce got it spot-on in the tactical battle against Mauricio Pochettino. Only time will tell if this win represents anything greater than temporary respite in a season many believe will end in relegation. Pochettino, meanwhile, defended his decision to drop contract rebel Christian Eriksen. The Spurs boss refused to offer any guarantees that Eriksen — who can leave as a free agent when his contract runs out next summer — would still be at the club after next Sunday’s European transfer deadline. Tottenham lacked creativity without him. Asked why his playmaker had only come on as a second-half sub, Pochettino said: ‘I can’t pick more than 11. If the result was 3-0, you wouldn’t ask me that.’ Pressed on whether Eriksen, who wants a move to Spain, had played his last game, Pochettino sighed: ‘I don’t know.’