Newcastle United will play in the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the first time after beating PSV Eindhoven 3-0 at St James’ Park on Wednesday night, with the only thing to be decided is what round United will enter them.
A top-16 finish is guaranteed, with United’s most likely opponents either Monaco or Napoli in the playoff round, or PSG or Barcelona in the round of 16.
Here are two good and two bad from the game:
Bad: Bruno limping off
The very fact that Bruno actually limped off with an injury probably highlights that it’s one that will keep him out for a few weeks, as in any other circumstance he would’ve stayed on. United’s record without out captain is dismal, with the solitary victory coming in the first leg of last season’s Carabao Cup semi-final when he was suspended.
Writing this a bit later the usual has allowed me to see absorb some of the criticism that seems to be flying Eddie Howe and the medical staff’s way for him staying on for another seven minutes following the initial injury and treatment; but if a player wants to give it a try and feels he’s able to (especially one as vital as Bruno is to the side) then I can see the logic of letting him give it a go.
However, the flipside is that with such an important player perhaps you need to go above his head and take the decision out of his hands. Thankfully, United are well stocked in central midfield when to compared to other positions in the squad, but any lengthy absence for the captain could be a season killer. We’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully it’s not too serious and he’ll be back ASAP.
Good: A boost for our front three
That display was probably United’s most effective attacking performance in months with all three attackers getting on the scoresheet. Wissa also grabbed an assist with some excellent pressing, and he has now scored on each of his Premier League, Carabao Cup, and Champions League debuts for the club.
Barnes and Gordon took their UCL goal tallies to five and six respectively with Gordon now level with Alan Shearer as the player with the most goals in the competition for the club. Joelinton was also utilised further forward as he was often the one of the midfield three bursting forward in what was another confident display from the Brazilian.
Gordon must find his shooting boots in the Premier League soon though as the discrepancies between his league form and UCL form is stark and for a player of his undoubted quality he really needs to be doing it in the bread and butter of the league too.
Good: Elanga lift and Miley’s moment
Anthony Elanga has had a tough time since sealing a £55m move from Nottingham Forest, with his lack of output in the final third and sheer lack of confidence a huge issue.
Howe asked for the fans to support him, and that they did on Wednesday night. After chanting his name, his second half cameo was arguably the best we’ve seen him look in black and white.
That may not be saying much, and he didn’t score or assist, but he was going past his man, bursting into space an put one lovely ball in for Nick Woltemade.
As for Miley, it was some moment to see the calm, classy and versatile teenager take the captains armband at 19 years of age. A lovely touch from Kieran Trippier and a sign of things to come?
Bad: The three goals coming via opposition mistakes
This might be a slightly controversial point, but with all three goals coming from PSV mistakes (and granted two were from forced mistakes which is a positive for our pressing) I just couldn’t help but feel United still need to improve from open play if they are to go much further in the competition.
Teams seem much more up for attacking each other in this competition especially compared to the Premier League, which has seen a massive rise in anti-football tactics and defensive play, and that clearly suits the personnel and tactics that United want to use and play.
Still, there is a niggling thought in my mind that we just wouldn’t be presented with such clear cut chances by the opposition in the league, and if there was a way (whether that be a loan or moving some summer business forward) for United bring in an attacking midfielder this window to strengthen that area of the pitch I would do it.
Good: Wissa’s strongest game in Black and White (and not a moment too soon)
It had been a rough few games for the Congolese striker prior to Wednesday. He missed glorious chances against both Bouremouth and Man City in the cups (chances we just can’t afford for him to be missing) and he was completely ineffective against Wolves who have basically been a footballing catastrophe this season.
For a £55m striker he wasn’t delivering, but against PSV we saw a much-improved performance. He may have scuffed his finish for his goal, but it literally doesn’t matter if it ends up in the back of the net, but the far more encouraging piece of play was his press and forcing the mistake out of the PSV defender that led to the second.
That highlighted a little more of his footballing brain, and he was also offside far less than he was in previous appearances which allowed consistent pressure to be built on our opponents, which in turn forced all sorts of errors from the Dutch Champions elect.
United now have an opportunity to beat a top side in Aston Villa, who have a stinking record on Tyneside, in what is clearly a huge game for our aspirations this season. We probably still need to find another level, but with an extra day’s rest and Villa out in Turkey we need to take advantage of that on Sunday.
Keep the faith. HWTL
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