Storming Toon Blow Away USG

The pressure was on for Eddie and the Toon after their stuttering start to the season, especially as they were up against a team unbeaten and top of the Belgian Pro League. and with a 3-0 CL win over PSV already under the belt.

The pressure was definitely on... but it was USG who took the full force of a storming Toon high pressure performance that blew USG away. This was Newcastle United back to their rampant attacking best with that high pressure exerted right from the KO.

All over the pitch every single player looked 'on it' from the start and that applied especially to our front three of Gordon, Woltemade and Elanga. Gordon looked far more like the player of two seasons ago and Elanga was fast, direct and whipping great crosses into the box.

And what about Woltemade?! Those who have questioned his hold up play were taught a lesson in judging players too early. He not only held it up like a seasoned pro, his brilliant close control and range of passing was top notch. And then his goal... a lovely back heel flick from Tonali's shot that left the keeper for dead. Hacks saying it was a 'deflected; goal need their eyes tested. IMO Woltemade was close to MOTM and that was a full £69M performance. The overpayment claims from Germany are looking more and more like sour grapes.

Putting out a team with only two changes from Arsenal - one enforced with Tino's injury - could have backfired on Eddie if we'd put in a tired performance. It didn't, and a highly motivated and energised performance from every single play in a B&W shirt proved Eddie's selection was spot on. Pre-match Eddie put the lads through training on the Lotto Park pitch to give them a feel for the ground and, with the stadium not being USG's own ground, it was another factor in our performance and the Toon looking like the home team. 10/10 for Eddie.

On a night of top performances all round here are the one's that stood out...

• Nick Woltemade: Outstanding on the night — not only scoring the opener but constantly involved in forward link play and unsettling the USG defence

• Anthony Gordon: Calm from the spot, scoring both penalties. Also contributed in buildup phases and a threat all across the front line. Back to his form of two seasons ago.

• Harvey Barnes: Came off the bench to wrap the game up with a composed finish How many times has he done that?!

• Sandro Tonali & Anthony Elanga: Important in transitions and chance creation; their work in midfield and out wide kept USG under pressure and on the back foot all game.

Match Stats USG Newcastle

Possession 43% 57%

Shots 17 13

Shots on Target 6 6

Corners 7 5

Yellow Cards 4 1

The Toon now go into a run of four winnable Prem games; Forest, Fulham, West Ham and Brighton, Win three of those and we'll be on 15pts, the same total after 10 games of last season. That has to be the target to get us back on track and closer to the top six.

Last night's performance and result makes that target realistic.

Comments welcome.