NUFC player ratings vs Burnley - One 9, three 8's, several 7's and a few 6's

by Jake Jackman · 4 December 2021, 18:33

Catch your breath lads and lasses. We got a vital three points, but by heck, it wasn’t a comfortable ride!

We were the better team and deserved the points, however it was clear to see the lack of confidence in the team and desperation to get all three points as the clock ticked by.

Eddie Howe now has the platform to build on. The next few matches are tough on paper, but the same application as we have seen this past week and we may have a chance.

Below we rate each player:

Martin Dubravka - 7 - A first clean sheet of the season for the team and it comes in Dubravka’s third match of the season. He didn’t have a great deal to do, but he offered an assured presence.

Javier Manquillo - 6 - It was a typical steady but unspectacular performance from Manquillo. He was solid in both halves of the pitch, without standing out.

Fabian Schar - 7 - I didn’t particularly notice much about Schar’s performance, which means he went about his job well and a sign he's not doing anything stupid! He didn’t stand out as much as Lascelles and he is still a little suspect in aerial duels, yet his calmness and quality on the ball is key in games like this.

Jamaal Lascelles - 9* - It was a colossal performance from the captain as he looked like he had a point to prove. Many didn’t want him to be named in the team, but he showed why Howe wants him involved with so many big clearances and aerial wins. Hopefully the start of a resurgence from the skipper.

Jamal Lewis - 8 - He is slowly going about his business in a tidy fashion. It seems criminal that he was out of the team for so long. Very good at the back and a nice overlapping option when he goes forward.

Jonjo Shelvey - 6 - It was a decent display in the middle of the park from Shelvey, without standing out in the same way he did against Brentford. His forward passing is key in injecting pace into our game.

Joe Willock - 7 - There will be some criticism of Joe Willock after today. I personally sympathise with his role, as he is required to do a lot of running to cover for Shelvey and Saint-Maximin. There are fewer that work harder than the summer signing and his forward drive was evident today.

Joelinton - 8 - Another very good performance from the Brazilian. His hold up play and ability to link the defence and attack was important. Like Willock, he is one of the hardest working players in the team.

Miguel Almiron - 6 - There we’re flashes of his quality going forward, but there is some rustiness to his game. In the first half, he blazed over from range ignoring the chance to play in Willock. In the second half, he came close to scoring on a couple of occasions, having one goal-bound shot well blocked.

Allan Saint-Maximin - 6 - There were some exciting moments from the Frenchman, but his decision making was a concern. That’s the case for all of the attackers, which is why they all have been marked down one.

Callum Wilson - 8 - It was a match winning display from Wilson. He is so good at running the channels and he causes chaos for opposition defenders. His goal was very well taken.