BBC pundit names Newcastle duo in Team of the Week alongside Arsenal, Chelsea & Man City stars

by Olly Hawkins · 15 August 2023, 11:27

Following the opening weekend of top flight fixtures, Garth Crooks has named his Premier League team of the week.

Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak both make it into the BBC pundit's XI following their outstanding displays in Saturday's 5-1 win over Aston Villa.

Tonali showed his tenacity and technical ability in a superb all round performance at St James' Park, not only scoring our opener but running the show in midfield, while Isak kicked off the campaign with two goals and another devastating display.

Following links with a late move to Newcastle, Crystal Palace's Joachim Andersen also features after impressing in their 1-0 win at Sheffield United.

Here's the team of the week in full, followed by what Crooks had to say on both Toon stars:

(3-4-3): Leno - Andersen, Van Dijk, Thiago Silva - Saka, Tonali, Rodri, Lemina - Bowen, Haaland, Isak.

Sandro Tonali (Newcastle): It was only a matter of time before the bubble burst in Unai Emery's face after such an amazing end to last season's campaign. He loses 5-1 at Newcastle on the opening day of the season and with it his best centre-half. Tyrone Mings suffered a nasty injury just before the break and his departure changed the game for Villa.

Newcastle's Anthony Gordon put in a good shift and so did Bruno Guimaraes, but it was the performance of Sandro Tonali that exposed Villa's high line. Isn't it wonderful to see a midfielder playing forward and not continuously sideways or backwards and actually playing team-mates in?

Alexander Isak (Newcastle): His first goal against Aston Villa for Newcastle was important, but his second was delightful. What exactly was Ezri Konsa trying to achieve, having won the ball from Isak and then trying to roll his foot over the ball in an attempt to show us just how good a footballer he is - and he was the last man? Well Isak made the Villa defender pay a heavy price for his folly.

This was a decent performance by Newcastle but a poor day at the office for Villa. However, I worry for Newcastle this season. The Champions League, while extremely attractive, will have a massive bearing on their season and I'm not entirely sure they have the squad to achieve another top-four finish as a consequence.