Smal

we're still on just 7 points lost from winning positions this season then, the best in the league. I know it's not natural for a Newcastle fan but I'm starting to feel more comfortable when we drop into a defensive block that we'll just see it through now. Always feel like if we score early then we'll win. It's obviously not even how Howe wanted us to play in the second half but the fact we're so good at it regardless is a massive credit to him, the staff and the players.

he was really good. I didn't see any rustiness in his performance at all.

feels like ages ago but Isak was poor for the first 10 or so games of the season as well imo. Some of our performances back then were honking and he was a pretty big part of that, especially first 6 games where he only managed 1 goal.

yeah, think only Hall was on a par with him until the injury. Burn probably still edges it because... well...

I thought his link up play and lay-offs were generally good actually. He is doing some bizarre stuff in front of goal though. This volley he's go into the habit of doing where he leans back and slices it with the outside/top of his boot needs to end ASAP.

they were right

they've spent a billion - 1,000,000,000 - Great British Pounds on that team

Incidentally this guy lost possession more than any player on the pitch. Pope lost it the fewest times out of anyone who played the full 90. I do find it strange when teams don't press Pope. When he has time his kicking is ok, as it should be tbf. When teams press him it's tragic. I think we do a pretty good job of not giving him it in dangerous positions tbf.

Rice not in the squad for Arsenal

he definitely started pulling out of challenges after that. I don’t blame him, it must be pretty traumatic when anything happens with his knee. Hope he’s ok for next week.

it’s very clear to me that he’s a final third player. You can see it with that pass to Barnes again, and his ability to keep the ball around the box through top decision making and technical ability to match. he is poor in duels and defensive awareness, so struggles when he plays further back like he did for the first 15 minutes before swapping with Bruno.

was just waiting for him to make the right decision but he didn’t, very unlike him. Was still significantly more effective than Gordon.

the extra goal gives is big for the GD over Chelsea as well

defensive line way too deep

Miley played 13 minutes and not touched the ball yet

good sub

it’s a very different position to playing wing back

why does Isak keep striking the ball like that recently

Gordon’s been underwhelming imo. Bit concerned about Murph as a pure RB. Wonder if we’ll bring Krafth on soon.

straight red, won't play again this season

Murphy regularly plays passes and crosses I’d only expect to see from world class technicians like Trent and KdB

Caicedo again

Barnes has made the wrong decision a couple of times in that area. He’ll get it right at some point though.

was Sandro who won the ball back too. What a man.

I think this can work against Chelsea specifically. They tend to play both full backs narrow and leave space out wide. We should have plenty of space for the 4 wide players on transition. Our CBs will need to be flawless.