Two 9/10s, several 8s and one wayward 6 - Player ratings from Newcastle 4-0 Leicester
A brilliant afternoon at St James' Park and big win for Eddie Howe as Newcastle United battered Leicester City 4-0 thanks to a Jacob Murphy brace, another goal for Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes header.
Here come our ratings and comments on all 16 Mags involved:
Dubravka (7) - Won’t have a more gentle reintroduction to first team football. Clean sheet was very welcome. Claimed one cross well in the second half and held one low shot in an otherwise quiet afternoon for the Slovakian.
Livramento (7) - Typically solid performance that we have come to expect. Offers great balance and energy down the right, although his final pass and/or crossing could do with some work.
Schar (6) - Much better after his Brentford horror show. Steady defensive display with little to do, but found his passing to be pretty erratic. Some poor giveaways and sloppy attempts to release some of our forward players.
Burn (7.5) - Gave Vardy nothing all game. Towering presence and marshalled the defence superbly with some important interceptions to snuff out rare Leicester attacks.
Hall (9.5*) - What a complete performance capped off with a couple of assists. Defended well - he was strong in the air and never let his man get past him - but it was in attack where he flourished. Link up play with Gordon was world class and constantly drove us forward with the ball. Our own star boy.
Guimaraes (7.5) - Arguably should’ve been sent off in the first half for simulation and a nasty challenge on Mavididi but capped off a good performance with his first goal of the season. Relished the more advanced role
Tonali (8) - Can’t be dropped. Looks so assured at the base of the midfield. Always available to receive the ball and tends to make the right decision. Moves the ball quickly, loves a first-time pass and reads danger well.
Joelinton (7) - Solid performance, did the basics well and should've got an assist slipping Isak clean through on goal in the first half. which was soured by a harsh yellow card which rules him out of the Ipswich game. His physical presence will be missed.
Murphy (8) - Scored two but should’ve had five! Typical rocks or diamonds from Murphy. Took his goals well and has to be commended for being in the right position to even miss the other three! Sloppy early on with some bad giveaways, but made up for it!
Gordon (8.5) - Will only be credited with one assist but had a hand in all four goals. Back to his brilliant best and unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Absolutely electric and set the tone from the off.
Isak (9) - There aren’t many better sights in football than seeing Isak running at defences! Led the line superbly and got a well deserved poachers goal. Also created Murphy's goal and could've had another assist or two. In full flow he was unplayable and ran rings around the Leicester centre-backs.
Subs:
Trippier (7) - Good minutes under the belt for what was essentially a training run.
Barnes (7) - Seemed determined to score against his former club and had a couple of chances to do so. Good battle for that right wing spot with Murphy
Longstaff (6) - 200 appearances for the local lad. Came on when the game was done and could've scored, but took too long to get his shot off. Likely restored to the starting line up at Ipswich in Joelinton's absence.
Osula (6.5) - Wasn’t given many opportunities to show what he could do as we took our foot off the pedal once the fourth went in. Did set up a late chance for Barnes and clearly has pace, power and quick feet, just needs to slow himself down sometimes.
Willock (N/A) - Good to see him after his hamstring niggle, although he was wiped out late on by Okoli. Only played the last 10 minutes, replacing Gordon down our left.