Aaron Ramsdale – 8
He might have to wait for his turn a bit longer, but any more performances like this in the games he does play in, creates another selection headache for Howe, which to be fair, is starting to happen all over the field now.
When we were attacking, he was standing ten yards outside the penalty box and one magnificent first time clearance set Willock away and had people rubbing their eyes. We always knew he could kick, but the shot stopping was great as well. A crucial save at 1-0 from Sarr was the high point but he did well from three or four others.
The score might seem routine but it wasn’t an easy night for Ramsdale and that’s exactly what he needed. Well played.
Emil Krafth – 7
As ever, did the basics without fuss and in only his second start of the season he fitted back in like a glove. He saved Dan Burn’s skin just before half time before a great piece of skill was followed by possibly the worst five yard pass I’ve seen this side of Jeff Hendrick. You can’t win them all, our glorious leader.
Fabian Schär – 8
On a night when certain players had points to prove, Schär reminded us with a big dig in the ribs that he’s not done here yet. Sporting the unfamiliar, but far better, long sleeved ensemble, he looked great from the off, spraying the ball around and making a couple of crunching tackles for the cognoscenti to admire. Of course scored the opener before being booked in the second half.
What a choice Howe has when the two full backs are fit. Schär showed he’s right in the mix.
Malick Thiaw – 7
Another excellent performance from Thiaw, even if he was, for once, overshadowed a bit by the man next to him. An early crunching tackle saw a reaction straight from the Guimarães school of OTT theatrics, but he’s Thiaw, he can do stuff like that.
At that stage it looked like another Man of the Match, but his levels dropped a little and he got booked. No one argued.
Dan Burn – 7
Burn has made various things his trademark since entering the building. Now it appears to be ‘hail mary’ headers when it looks like he’s been shot out of a cannon to every chipped pass and excellent turns and demon crosses like he did early on.
This left back secondment gets wilder every appearance and it’s certainly box office. We all know the flaws but luckily for us none of the opposition seem to have picked up on them. Yet.
Sandro Tonali – 9
First half he didn’t hit his usual heights, probably still feeling his way back after being ill and after he ill-advisedly dangled his foot into a 50/50 challenge and Miley was warming up strongly at the break, it looked like that might be that.
HOWEVER, he then proceeded to produce one of the greatest halves of midfield football for a lot of years. That second half was a pleasure to watch as he played Tottenham on a different level than anyone else. It was obscenely good.
As the last few kicks were played in the penalty box, Tonali stood on the centre circle as if he was reenacting the earlier last post/ minutes silence and reflecting on just how good he is.
Joe Willock – 6
Getting wrongly accused of getting stuck in a maze is one thing but getting stuck in a continuous fog of his latter day Newcastle career is another. A big day for a likeable player who is surely not going to get a load more chances. Did he come through unscathed? Well, yes to a point.
In the first half he was better. I half expected him to run Ramsdale’s super kick out of play, but he really took it on and it should have been a goal. He also got the ball and was positive. However his awful header from Barnes’ cross should have been 2-0 before a decent assist for Woltemade. Those two incidents are him in a nutshell right now and it’s really frustrating.
Jacob Ramsey – 6
Did nothing particularly wrong, just on a night when certain players were superb, he was just ok. Neat in possession without standing out, the early chance that was blocked, could and should have been lift off and how much would that have helped his confidence?
Still, though, more minutes in the legs.
Anthony Elanga – 6
After doing a bit better from the bench on Saturday, he was given the chance to shake off the underwhelming start to his United career. Much like Willock though, we didn’t learn anything new tonight and it’s still not the marauding player Forest had last season.
It may well come, but for now he’s still checking inside and losing the ball too much, despite a lot of effort.
Nick Woltemade – 7
Another goal, another link up masterclass and another time when he’s getting two different songs sung at him. It’s fair to say Woltemade has hit the ground running. Tonight wasn’t him at his all action best, but he was still a right pain in the arse for the opposition and long may it continue.
Harvey Barnes – 7
Missed two excellent first half opportunities, I’m not quite sure how he hit the bar just before half time, but I thought he was decent tonight. You either get one or the other with Barnes. A goal fest or a couple of deadly balls in. Twice in the second half he did the latter, especially for Willock’s headed mishap.
SUBSTITUTES
Kieran Trippier, for Krafth 71 minutes – 5
Strolled through the last twenty odd minutes and put over a couple of great balls in. Whisper it: One of them was a corner.
Joelinton, for Willock 71 minutes – 5
Got involved with Kudus after what looked like a really ropey challenge on him which VAR might have had a look at, if it hadn’t been packed away in the outhouse.
Will Osula, for Woltemade 71 minutes – 5
One ridiculous double step over in front of us was a joy to behold. Honestly.
Bruno Guimarães, for Ramsey 79 minutes – 5
Got straight into the action as you can imagine but I couldn’t remember much. Not even some cheerleading.
Anthony Gordon, for Elanga 89 minutes
Not really much point in him coming on but he gets his bonus.
Scott Robson
