I honestly thought yesterday was going to be really tough to win our first Premier League game of the season, against Aston Villa at home.
The Villains had done so well once new manager Unai Emery came in last season and they finished in 7th place with 61 points, just 10 points behind Newcastle.
But I was completely wrong.
Newcastle went ahead with a great goal from debut boy Sandro Tonali after 6 minutes.
And then the debut boy for Villa, Frenchman Moussa Diaby, a former Newcastle target, scored the equalizer after just 10 minutes and looked like a great player in the first half.
We went ahead before halftime with a good goal from Alexander Isac after just 16 minutes.
A beautiful free kick from Tonali from right midfield was sent back across goal by Sven Botman and Isak was there to hammer the ball past Martinez, who would later make some good saves to keep the score down.
The second half was basically one-way traffic as Newcastle lifted their game into a higher gear, and went after Villa.
Goals from Isak on 58 minutes – a great chip over the goalkeeper, then Wilson after 77 minutes, who was set up nicely by new-boy Barnes from the left, and then Harvey Barnes himself scored one of his trademark goals after 91 minutes with that right foot of his coming in from the left.
What a player this lad is going to be for us this year – he’s certainly got an eye for goal.
That made it a wonderful 5-1 win and one of the best performances by a Newcastle side in their first league game of the season.
The Newcastle fans were absolutely magnificent and the place to play your football right now is in the great City of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
🙂
This is what Eddie Howe Told Match Of The Day after the game:
“We scored five – we could have scored more. Everything clicked for us,”
“It was a tight game decided by our ruthlessness in front of goal. Villa were also in the game, so we’re very pleased. We had to be at our best.”
“We knew we had a difficult start [with the fixture list], so you look at this game as a massive moment in our season.”
“Now we have to go to Manchester City, which is the hardest place to go.”
“We’ve got to embrace the challenge and then of course Liverpool, but we will focus on City first.”
And so to our Man of the Match and we have to say not one single player had an off day yesterday.
And it showed just how strong our bench is with the contributions of Wilson and Barnes coming in the second half.
Tonali, who will become a world-class central midfielder under Eddie Howe’s coaching, is our Man of the Match with 59% of the vote currently.
Second is Aleksander Isak with 20% and third is Anthony Gordon with 16%.
Note that all three players were signed over the last year by our recruitment team under the leadership of Sporting Director Dan Ashford.
Please vote if you haven’t already done so.
We cannot expect this every week, so we will have to calm down, just a little bit.
There again maybe Newcastle will dish this out in every game – they will certainly try to do that under Eddie Howe.
🙂
Hope so, because our long-suffering fans deserve this and the new owners, players, and coaching staff have allowed Geordie fans all over the world to dream again.
And we will.
Newcastle United is a happy family these days – and there’s more to come.
Howay The Bonnie Lads!!
211 comments so far
The Taco Taker
Aug 13, 2023 at 4:37 PM
Comment #81Valle,
It means that particular Villa fan thinks that the media all love NUFC. I actually included that comment on purpose cos so many people on hear think the opposite, but the reality is every club has fans who think someone else is the media’s darlings. That is just how some fans are.
valle
Aug 13, 2023 at 4:42 PM
Comment #82TTT
Ok, that is weird. I dont think many pundits have us in top 5 but you make a good point.
Ace50
Aug 13, 2023 at 4:45 PM
Comment #83A great thread (with stats for those that like them) on Tonali from yesterday (and his interplay with Bruno): https://x.com/edit_kev/status/1690736325429796864?s=61&t=oE9r0YZuqCwo-geMmhvYtQ
The Taco Taker
Aug 13, 2023 at 4:53 PM
Comment #84Dkiller,
It is cos Boehly (the clown) had agreed a deal with Paramount+ without realising that of course the PL would (and did) block that transaction as it would be in breach of their contracts with Sky, BT and pretty much every international TV broadcaster that shows PL games. They don’t pay for the right to show games to allow rivals publicity. Just the same as you don’t see adverts for Virgin media on a sky channel.
Then he agree a deal with Stake.com, without considering the changes to the rules on having betting companies as sponsor that are coming in and the fan reaction to that was not good either, so that deal died a death too.
Chelsea have been looking for someone else since then. He really hasn’t got a clue what he is doing.
Ace50
Aug 13, 2023 at 4:55 PM
Comment #85How simple and beautiful was this goal from yesterday? https://x.com/nufc/status/1690722371781726209?s=61&t=oE9r0YZuqCwo-geMmhvYtQ
TheDrewid
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:06 PM
Comment #86Chelsea looking poor here. Don’t think either side is looking particularly cohesive. And I’m not seeing anything so far that I think we would have to worry about. Think our midfield waltzes all over either of these.
valle
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:09 PM
Comment #87Ace50
I just get a twitter post when i press that link.
Adamn_92
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:10 PM
Comment #88Drewid
Totally agree. Both teams look poor defensively. Liverpool midfield can be bypassed with 1 or 2 simple passes. Chelsea look like 1 through ball will unlock them.
Could be a high scoring game this.
Scythe
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:10 PM
Comment #89Liverpool losing 2-1 now! 😀
Scythe
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:11 PM
Comment #90Grrrrrr VAR possible offside…
check the toastie
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:12 PM
Comment #91Liverpool look incredibly open to being got at. Lots of softies in their team. Top 4 have zero interest in defending.
We will punish em.
Scythe
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:12 PM
Comment #92Chalked off, still 1-1.
A Geordie Mongrel
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:12 PM
Comment #93Scythe @19, he can offer contracts as long as he likes. For amortization under FFP the maximum allowable is 5 years. Boehly hasn’t got a scooby doo.
TheDrewid
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:13 PM
Comment #94I mean, in fairness, we’ve now seen four goals this half, albeit two ruled out for offside, but I don’t think it’s on behalf of good football from either side.
The Taco Taker
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:14 PM
Comment #95The thing is that is why they are scrapping over the likes of Caicedo and Lavia, they know that have issues to address in midfield. The longer they take to sort that the better for us.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:15 PM
Comment #96Would fancy ùs big time against either of these sides at the moment
Scythe
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:16 PM
Comment #97If they play like this at Anfield next weekend we’re going to have an absolute field day. Hope they don’t pick up any defensive midfielders over the next week.
DKillers
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:17 PM
Comment #98TTT, thanks for the Chelsea info. I now vaguely remember the Paramount+ story.
A Geordie Mongrel
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:18 PM
Comment #99You can see Poch has made a difference but the defence looks very suspect. Same for Liverpool. 1-1 or 5-5? I have no clue.
Scythe
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:18 PM
Comment #100Geordie Mongrel
Cheers. You’d think he’d have advisors telling him what to do but it seems like he’s trying to do it all himself and he’s come over here like Ted Lasso without knowing what the hell he’s doing!
Ace50
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:19 PM
Comment #101Valle, I think it’s a glitch with the stupid, new Twitter (X)….it just shows a still picture for me now too. That is, the video won’t play.
TheDrewid
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:20 PM
Comment #102Hypothetical question time!
At this moment in time, which players from either Chelsea or Liverpool would you say be guaranteed starters for us?
Ace50
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:21 PM
Comment #103Both of these sides look unbalanced. Early days but nothing that is going to worry us too much.
Ace50
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:21 PM
Comment #104Salah on the right
Ace50
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:22 PM
Comment #105Maybe Robertson or Chilwell at LB
The Taco Taker
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:27 PM
Comment #106AGM
Correct. He might have got away with the 6 year+ deals that he did before this window though since that rule was not in place then so maybe those can be amortised over the length of the contract, since normally you can’t apply new rules retrospectively. The rule was put in place as a reaction to what Chelsea were doing.
I did read that one reason why Chelsea offered long deals (and still do) has more to do with player wages in that they offer less per year than a rival bidder might but since the contract is longer the total overall is higher and offers the player more security. There is an argument to say that is quite smart but not if you end up with a dud who won’t leave.
Personally I think this long contract stuff is dumb. You can get locked into a player who won’t leave/no-one wants. Also players you want to keep can always stamp their feet and demand a better new deal and/or demand to leave and there value only really starts to drop a bit when the have 18 months or less left on their contract . Since all the power is with the player it make little sense to give them super-long deals. More downside risk that upside reward in my view.
check the toastie
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:29 PM
Comment #107Yeh, pretty much Salah.
Loads that would add to the squad.
Slobozai dont look all that.
valle
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:31 PM
Comment #108LCBP and Ace50
Sorry, I didnt see that you also answered My question… Thanks, and I agree that I thought it was the other way around.
valle
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:33 PM
Comment #109I hope this Chelsea vs Liverpool match ends as a draw.
TheDrewid
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:35 PM
Comment #110Ace50
Agreed. And as much as I love Pope…..maybe Allison?
The Taco Taker
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:37 PM
Comment #111Salah and Alisson (no disrespect to Pope but he would), Maybe Disasi if he keeps scoring from CB, we miss that. Still think Szobozlai will do well the PL too.
Ace50
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:47 PM
Comment #112Yeah Drewid. I forgot about GK position. Agree re Allison.
The Taco Taker
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:48 PM
Comment #113From Belfast Live:
A West Belfast teenager labelled the ‘Golden Child’ is set to go on trial with Manchester United and Newcastle United.
Coran Madden might only be 14 years of age, but he is already being tipped for a big future across the water.
The forward has come through the ranks of Cliftonville’s burgeoning academy, having joined the Reds when he was just six.
Marc Smyth, the club’s Head of Youth, has hailed the teen as the “best young talent in the country”.
And he says it is no surprise that a host of Premier League clubs are tracking the youngster.
“Coran is just 14 and he is an exceptional talent. He can play 10, left wing, right wing – basically anywhere across the front,” said Smyth.
“He is the best young talent in the country. He recently won player of the tournament at this summer’s SuperCupNI, playing for County Antrim.
valle
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:48 PM
Comment #114Allison and Chilwell
Ace50
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:48 PM
Comment #115It’s a good point/comparison you highlight though. There’s not much between our team and these mega-expensive traditional ‘top 4’ teams. Makes you even more proud of us 🙂
The Taco Taker
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:50 PM
Comment #116Valle, a draw is indeed the ideal result, but a few cards would be good. I still want a Klopp meltdown leading to a touchline ban too.
Ace50
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:52 PM
Comment #117Good to hear TTT. We are picking up lots of youngsters of all ages. Also a good weekend for U21s who came from 2-0 down to win 5-3. And the women’s team won 9-0 in their final (I think) friendly.
valle
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:56 PM
Comment #118Taco
Indeed, in fact, as much as possible to go wrong for both clubs, and then ending in a long drawn out and hard fought draw would be perfect 🙂
north east lincs toon
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:56 PM
Comment #119Just watching Liverpool v Chelsea the amount of quality players on show ,they are absolutely shite compared to our team
north east lincs toon
Aug 13, 2023 at 5:56 PM
Comment #120Just watching Liverpool v Chelsea the amount of quality players on show ,they are absolutely shite compared to our team.