Tonali x Bruno and 'big six' bullies - Key takeaways from Newcastle 3-3 Liverpool
Newcastle United secured a thoroughly deserved point at St. James’ Park on Wednesday evening in a game which had pretty much everything, and could’ve, and perhaps should’ve, taken all three points on a rip-snorting night under the lights.
Goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon either side of a Curtis Jones strike had put United 2-1 ahead but a double from Mo Salah saw the lads trailing 2-3 with seconds remaining of the 90mins. Fabian Schar then stepped up to tap home the equaliser from an acute angle in the dying embers as the rain lashed down to secure a valuable point.
Here are our five key takeaways from the game:
- Who’s that team we call United
In a game which will be remembered for some excellent finishing, pressing, endeavour, heart, fight and no small amount of skill, United turned up and gave the apparent champions elect a thorough examination and proved just how good a team the Black and Whites can be when they want it. 'Get into them' was Wor Flags' message and we did exactly that.
Many grumbles accompanied the arrival of the team sheet as Jacob Murphy came into the starting eleven in the only change from last Saturday but once again you have to say it was the right call as he looked dangerous throughout and really should’ve scored at least one goal.
Isak was also electric, the run between the lines and the spin on van Dijk for the first goal will be played back for years to come, it was a thumping finish to deservedly put United ahead. Howe also got his midfield three bang on and Gordon's switch to the left was timely, as last season's player of the year finally looked 'at it' again.
All eleven players stood up and made themselves count and, frankly, made Liverpool look bang average as they fumbled and stumbled over the ball in the first 45 minutes. Of course they had their moments, they have some world class players, but United should’ve gone in at half time at least 2-0 ahead, with Gordon passing up a glorious opportunity late in the first half.
I loved what I saw on Wednesday night, yet for all its deserved plaudits; the performance still throws up a few questions about the mentality of the side.
- Can we play a 'big six' side every week?
There was a small part of most Newcastle fans that knew the lads would turn up tonight as they tend to rev themselves up for the big games. Arsenal and Spurs have already been dispatched at SJP so far this season, as the players look keen to prove against the elite teams, that they belong up there too.
So, why can’t the lads, seemingly, put in these sorts of performances away to Palace or at home to West Ham? There’s more to dissect in that conversation later but for now it’s important to take the positives from the performance and look at it in isolation. It was excellent, much needed, and is, hopefully, another fresh kick start to the season.
Wednesday was a huge response by Eddie Howe too - but it also sums up our and his inconsistencies, if United had played like that against Palace and West Ham the results would’ve been very different, and that is what is so frustrating about Newcastle so far this season.
- Bruno and Tonali
It’s all too easy to say ‘who would’ve thought playing two world class central midfielders together would produce performances like that’ when the gaffer is continuing to start others ahead of one of them – but boy o boy, were Sandro and Bruno excellent on the night.
It’s a shame it couldn’t quite secure the win, however, if those performances continue to be put in by the pair, surely United will start trending towards more victories and points!
Proved by Bruno grabbing his first two assists of the season; he looked a man reborn in the number 8 role and Tonali in the no. 6 swept up pretty much everything in the middle of the park while also offering calmness and quality in possession and tenacity in his pressing. Moving forward, the duo must be the first names on the team sheet.
4. Must follow this up on Saturday
There are many challenges ahead – United are clearly very good against the ‘bigger’ teams and are clearly perfectly suited playing as underdogs in big games at SJP, but there are many tests ahead, starting with Brentford on Saturday.
United have an excellent record in west London and must look to take all three points on Saturday by hook or by crook, but ultimately the performance levels must be the same as they were on Wednesday night. If they are then Brentford will do well to live with us, despite their impressive home record.
HWTL
