All posts by h79snht.top

After their toughest game in quite some time, Leicester held firm against Manchester United on Saturday to come away with a point. Jamie Vardy broke a goalscoring record, but the fact that Leicester aren’t crumbling under pressure from the big boys is surely the bigger story.

The Foxes may even have won that game were it not for a possible goalkeeping error from Kasper Schmeichel for Manchester United’s goal and some uncharacteristic toothlessness on the break from Jamie Vardy when he tried to play in a team mate instead of shooting.

I’m in no way slating Leicester, though. They weren’t big mistakes. I’m pointing them out only to show just how close Leicester came to actually winning the game.

Manchester United were their usual sterile selves, but they’re not still in touch with the leading pack for nothing. They’re a good side with good players who just need to find a spark from somewhere before they can do some serious damage. But it doesn’t look forthcoming.

Then there’s Leicester. You’d also have to say they’re second in the table for a reason. Manchester City and Arsenal have both lost three times this season, United twice. Leicester have only lost once; against Arsenal. And although they may have had a fairly favourable run of games, they’ve still had to win them. They are where they are because they’ve been better than most. And you can’t really argue that they lack that certain spark like United.

No, Leicester didn’t disappoint this weekend. They set up to stifle Manchester United, and stifle them they did. The goal came from a set piece, but those two banks of four were too solid for United to break down from open play – though it may be argued that a wet cardboard box is too structurally sound for United to break down these days. The two up top did their job linking up well in possession to facilitate the counter. And the counter is Leicester’s food and drink.

There will, at some point, come a slump. And not because Leicester aren’t as good as the other teams around them either. The form of Vardy and Mahrez surely mirrors Arsenal’s Sanchez and Ozil or City’s Silva and Aguero, without whom the big teams are understandably weakened. For all intents and purposes, Vardy and Mahrez are Leicester’s pair of world class players.

But the slump will arrive because it arrives for every team every year. Most teams rely on the form of one or two individuals to light up the side. It’s normal for a team to have a particular creative spark that they rely on, or a leader on the pitch who make the team better. That’s part of the normal team dynamic.

What is also normal is an injury scare. So every team has a slump because no team can go a whole season on super-human form. Especially Leicester, given they put so much effort into playing without the ball, staying solid and counter attacking with so much pace and precision. There’s only so many times you can come back from two goals down!

There are still some huge games for Leicester between now and the end of the year, and it would be no surprise to anyone if they slipped down the table quite a bit over the next few weeks.

But they didn’t disappoint this weekend. The game had the feel of a cagey top-of-the-table clash in some ways. It was a game of few clear cut chances, decided by breakaways and set-pieces. It remains to be seen if they can cope with the more all-action styles of Manchester City and Liverpool who may have enough to trouble Leicester more than Manchester United did.

Leicester’s display at the weekend was worthy of their top-of-the-table status, and even if they won’t win the league, surely they can now start dreaming of a top four finish.

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It’s just so difficult to pin down this particular incarnation of a team representing Liverpool Football Club. Everything good and everything bad about the Jurgen Klopp was in plain sight in the thrilling game with Norwich City earlier today.

A painfully slow start to the game somehow resulted in a Roberto Firmino goal during the opening stages although the Reds looked just about as one-paced as a certain other North West giant going through a transition.

Mainly, it was due to the terrible defending of the home side. The Brazilian slipped behind the defence and fired in from an acute angle, though question marks surround Canaries custodian Declan Rudd about the fact he was beaten from there.

However, after that, it was Liverpool’s turn to defend comically. Yet another corner wasn’t dealt with sufficiently, though Dieumerci Mbokani pulled off a clever back heel in order to further compound their set-piece woes.

£8m man Steven Naismith then made a clever late run into the box, though both Lucas and Emre Can appeared to be innocently bewildered that the Scot was left with so much time in the box. Well guys, he did run directly past you.

The game continued at a relatively poor pace, sloppy passing and not much in the way of chances. Despite the high score line, it remained one of the major themes of the entire match.

As if being 2-1 down wasn’t bad enough, Reds defender Alberto Moreno then appeared to literally be doing his best in order to concede a penalty. After scything Naismith down in the penalty area, a crime that went unpunished, the Spaniard then barged him BACK to the ground as he was lifting himself of the floor.

No idea what planet he was on and I’m not sure he did either. So, the penalty was then coolly converted by Wes Hoolahan. 3-1. Game over.

Well, that was until the home side simply stopped defending. Where Moreno was rash, the Norwich rearguard were absent. Reds skipper Jordan Henderson was afforded acres of space in the penalty box to score a smart volley, before Firmino was handed similar space to level the scores following smart work from Adam Lallana.

As if the defending had not already comical enough, Russell Martin then somehow managed the worst back-pass in history to send James Milner, not the paciest let’s remember, clean through on goal.

The comeback was on, Liverpool led 4-3 and the game had appeared to be fizzling out.

Steven Caulker had been brought on to shield the defence, though was nowhere to be seen when a late free-kick was lofted in. As usual, the Reds failed to deal with a high ball, which found its way to Sebastian Bassong, who drilled in what appeared to be a late equalizer.

Five minutes deep into injury time, the visitors besieged the home box and a spot of head tennis resulted in an Adam Lallana volley that took an age to enter the net. But it did. 5-4.

A poor game. An incredible game. An incredibly poor game.

But what did we learn?

BENTEKE NOT RATED AT ALL

Jurgen Klopp is an experienced manager who will have no doubt sussed out that Norwich are often dominated in the air. The fact they had conceded the most goals from crosses in the Premier League was seemingly the stage needed to give the under fire Belgian the chance to earn some confidence.

However, Roberto Firmino was preferred in the central attacking role. While he has been in decent enough form, the Brazilian is clearly not a natural centre-forward, a type of player the Canaries have struggled to contain all season.

Granted, it did work in the end as Firmino netted twice. Still, the deeper meaning of leaving Benteke out in a game seemingly tailored made for him may be a signal of Klopp’s future intent.

If he’s not going to play in games like this? When will he?

PINTO STRUGGLES

Ivan Pinto arrived from Dinamo Zagreb earlier this week and much was made about the fact he had played in the Champions League. No easy feat at all, but the Portuguese defender looked well out his depth today.

As is so often the case with modern day full-backs, the attacking intent was there, but lapses in defensive concentration were all too often prevalent. In fact, most of the joy Liverpool had today was when the new signing was isolated, affording their attackers acres of space.

While the entire backline should be blamed, the glaring inefficiency of Pinto to cover Jordan Henderson in the box was almost dumbfounding. The 26-year old had not a soul to mark as the ball drifted in, yet still failed to pick up the Reds skipper who was stood directly in front of him.

Harsh to judge the man too harshly on his maiden voyage in the Premier League, but he did not fill Carrow Road with universal confidence.

HIGH BALLS STILL A PROBLEM

The Liverpool backline contained four internationals today, as well as their defensive midfield adding a further two. You wouldn’t have guessed it.

Whenever a ball is lofted in, a theme that is not solely constricted to just corners anymore, the Reds simply look as if they are about to crumble. For the opener, they failed to deal with another corner in both the first and second phase.

Not one man took leadership into clearing the ball, leaving Dieumerci Mbokani with all the time in the world to pull off a clever back-heel. A fine improvisation no doubt, but he was flanked by both Mahmadou Sakho and Kolo Toure.

Even for Bassong’s late goal, a lofted free-kick was headed about without ever really being dealt with before it found its way to the centre-back on the edge of the area.

It’s not as if these players don’t know how to defend such set-pieces, it’s just something about them right now makes seasoned professionals crumble.

NAISMITH A SPARK

In the midst of this relegation battle, a few of the teams can boast top class players to provide them an extra something when the going gets tough. Jermain Defoe at Sunderland, Newcastle have Giorgino Wijnaldum and Bournemouth have the likes of Benik Afobe and Charlie Daniels.

Now, you can add Norwich City to that list following their signing of Steven Naismith. Okay, he wasn’t enough to secure three points today, but the 29-year old was promising.

Popping up in dangerous areas all day, the Scot made a clever late run into the box in order to finish off a good Norwich attack and put the side 2-1 up. While we rightly lambast Moreno for his awful defending, it’s important to remember Naismith was the one causing the Spaniard problems.

The former Everton man provides a creative link between midfield and attack. He may not be enough to keep the team in the Premier League by himself, but he bridges the gap somewhat.

CLYNE HELD HIGH

Only really Nathaniel Clyne can hold his head high after such a poor performance. The England international hasn’t truly been at his wonderful best since a summer move, though was excellent today.

Well, as excellent as you can be when playing in such a woeful defence. An extremely athletic individual, the former Southampton man is a fine example of a modern day defender who take his defensive abilities as seriously as his attacking ones.

With a summer of upheaval likely to be on the way, Clyne is surely the only member of that back four that can all but guarantee he won’t be shipped in the summer.

Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal had set his sights on Europa League glory this week.

Relative European success may have taken the pressure off his and his underperforming squad he must have thought, thinking that even they should be beating Midtjylland of Denmark.

But no, it wasn’t to be and as United fans protested about ticket prices and screamed we’re f****** s*** from the Danish terraces, the pressure increased once more on Van Gaal and his flops.

Three wins in four had initially taken the pressure of the Dutchman’s shoulders- it was a temporary spell of rest bite in a constantly choppy season that has been riddled with controversy and disappointment.

But just as the team looked like it was taking a turn for the better, they were completely outfought in Denmark. The defeat had nothing to do with class on the ball or high-name players- they were outbattled.

With all due respect to United’s opponents, Midtjylland of the Danish Superliga are hardly European giants. These games are always potential banana skins but a squad of Manchester United’s quality should have won this comfortably.

But on the pitch there was nothing- absolutely nothing to suggest this rot is ever going to end.

Van Gaal cut a sombre figure on the sideline, his head constantly in his hands as he struggled to understand why his players aren’t performing for him.

An air of hopelessness hangs over the club- it’s just not the same anymore. United of old used to strike fear into the heart of opponents- people used to dread going to Old Trafford fearing an inevitable drubbing.

But now you get sideways football and a severe lack of attacking talent.

To outline the Europa League as the main target for the season shows just how far the club have fallen.

And with that title looking a million miles away, it looks like it could another season of disappointment and failure- and something needs to change.

It never seemed like Louis Van Gaal had 100% of the board’s backing and I doubt he will now. They never came out in full support of their manager, even when the turbulent spell began way before Christmas and this result could be the nail in the coffin for the Dutchman.

It seemed almost ominous that as the United fans sung and chanted about the ticket prices being over £70 for the tie, they crumbled to another lacklustre defeat- it’s the story of their season.

Disappointment after disappointment is what Manchester United are repeatedly being known for and it needs to change, quickly.

It’s astonishing to think the club’s main priority is a second-string European cup when in Fergie’s era, it was winning trebles.

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Arsenal star Danny Welbeck has picked up a knee problem ahead of England duty, being unable to participate in their first training session this week, according to reports from the Express.

Welbeck has been in fine form for the Gunners after recovering from a knee operation that kept him out of action for almost the entire campaign, scoring in their latest 2-0 win over Everton this past weekend.

However, Arsenal and the Football Association made an agreement to take care of the striker during the international break, and is now receiving treatment on his left knee at St. George’s Park.

This will come as a big blow to the Three Lions, who are concerned over his fitness before their friendlies against Germany and the Netherlands.

The 25-year-old is one of England boss Roy Hodgson’s favourite players due to his versatility, being able to play in any of the three attacking positions up front.

Welbeck has only featured nine times for Arsenal this season, scoring four goals.

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Was it a Manchester derby blessed with pace, passion and end-to-end action?

Probably not, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t intriguing, as, arguably, this was one of the most vital derby wins for Manchester United in years, and it was all thanks to another one of their teenage protégés.

Despite facing a barrage of flack and criticism for the majority of his Man United tenure, Louis van Gaal hasn’t been afraid to give his young guns the chance to shine on the big stage. And most of the time, his teenage team have repaid that faith, performing well on their debuts.

And none have had a brighter start to being a Red Devil than Marcus Rashford, who scored four times in two games to begin with before following that up with the all-important derby-day goal on Sunday.

United fans are raving about the 18-year-old, who became United’s youngest ever scorer in the Manchester derby, and rightly so. He’s shown some fantastic traits and I’m sure if his development continues at this rate, his form could be a massive plus point for the England national team, too.

But with fantastic form at such an age comes the frustration. Every player has barren spells and although Rashford hasn’t been on the scene for too long just yet, there will be a point when the goals will dry up and people will begin to question whether the youngster should be in and around the first-team.

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Even before the game against Manchester City, Sky Sports pundits were suggesting that Rashford shouldn’t have been given as much game time as he has enjoyed, to which he duly replied by skinning Martin Demichelis and banging in the winner.

But seriously, can the youngster keep up his rich vein of form?

Many United fans would like to think so, but its a big ask. Yet when you see the goal he scored against City, it’s hard to doubt the youngster. It was the sort of goal Thierry Henry used to score on a weekly basis, and it really did offer Van Gaal a lifeline – which he sorely needed after the Europa League defeat to Liverpool.

The goal also took Rashford’s tally to five in eight games, and for anyone doubting the teenager, this is already more than what Radamel Falcao could manage during his barren spell at Old Trafford.

It almost seemed written for Rashford to grab the limelight. He was the only Mancunian in the match day squad, and as a local lad, he looked up for it from the off.

He’s successfully pushed United’s big-money buy Anthony Martial out to the wing, and that is proof that Van Gaal trusts in his player’s ability to play centrally. Rashford has frightening pace, passion to boot and a keen eye for goal.

Yes the pause in form will come, but it’s important that United fans keep behind their young striker and moot him for further glory.

He’s going to be special.

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So, that’s it.

The curtain draws on the Boleyn Ground after 112 magical years for West Ham United in that venue.

The future is no doubt bright for the club and an exciting move to the Olympic Stadium dawns as they look to continue their recent upward trajectory under the stewardship of Slave Bilic.

While there is cause for excitement, tonight was all about all Upton Park.

The final chapter in its fabled history got off to a rocky start as the Manchester United team bus was attacked and pelted with bottles outside the ground, leading to a 45 minute delay for the kickoff.

As shocking as those scenes were, they merely added to the emotion on what was a wonderful night of football. Other than the ugly affair outside, it was a truly fitting sendoff to one of Britain’s most famous grounds.

Truth be told, the Red Devils looked as if their coach hadn’t shown up at all for much of the opening period.

Diafra Sakho put the home side ahead and they continued to squander a number of chances as they blew United away in a first-half blitz.

After the interval however, things changed. Antony Martial continued his form as the club’s best player this season by flipping the game on its head with a well taken brace.

Still, such is the magnitude of this game, the home side were not to be deflated so easily.

A storming come back following two headers from Michail Antonio and Winston Reid topped off a truly dramatic night of action in typical West Ham style.

On this most historic of occasions, we’ve complied a gallery of photos that truly encapsulate the farewell to Boleyn.

One of the most ambitious Premier League clubs is undoubtedly West Ham United. T

he London club have wasted no time this summer in going all-out to bring in some big names.

Having achieved a strong 7th place finish last season, the club may be looking do one better in the coming season, despite the extra strong competition this coming season.

One thing that may set the Hammers apart from the top four may be their lack of a top striker, someone who can grab the 20 goals+ needed to push towards the Premier League summit in the coming years.

The Club’s Stature

Despite being a household name to English fans everywhere, West Ham don’t compare in stature to many of the clubs that they rival for forwards’ signatures.

West Ham fans mustn’t take this as an attack on what is clearly a very large club, but with all due respect, when rivalling some of Europe’s elite for the transfer of a top European player, they are already one step behind their rivals.

Even in England, clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool already carry such big names that they are sure to be an attractive prospect for any sought after talent.

This isn’t to say they can’t attract players, because of course they can. However, it may mean they have to offer a great deal more by way of alternative incentives.

The Lack of Champions League Football

Despite a superb season, the fact of the matter is that they won’t be playing in the Champions League this season, which could prove to be a stumbling block for several players.

One thing most high profile clubs can offer is Champions League football. I use the example of Alexander Lacazette who will be looking to play at the top level of European football, and while he may succeed at West Ham, one may suspect he would rather try his hand at Arsenal or Tottenham.

However, as Manchester United have proven, Champions League isn’t everything when it comes to transfers. They have managed to attract Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitrayan and potentially even Paul Pogba, with Jose Mourinho coming in to fill the manager position.

One might argue that this is down to their stature and financial dominance, but the fact remains that they have made successful signings despite the lack of Champions League football.

Finance

In this day and age, no Premier League club is poor or struggling financially, but the difference lies in a club’s willingness to spend the vast riches they have amassed.

For example, despite the chip that many wear on their shoulders when it comes to spending money, Manchester City have seen nothing but success for the most part as they have gone out and bought the best players.

Leicester’s success last season may convince teams that they don’t need to spend, and while this approach may work for some, it could be disastrous for others.

It was rumoured that when the Hammers went in for former forward Carlos Tevez, they were horrified at his £250,000-a-week wage demands. Obviously, in this case, these demands seem extortionate to say the least. The point being, sometimes teams have to pay for the best, or settle for weaker options.

Even when Robin Van Persie beccame available, the club rejected him, despite his reduced wage demands. This seems surprising considering he is arguably one of the best forwards the Premier League has seen. David Gold and David Sullivan may have to get their cheque book out over the summer, and will have to get used to it if they desire long-term success as much as they say they do.

However, it might be ok…

With the arrival of Carlos Bacca supposedly imminent for a fee of approximately £27million, it may prove that the owners are willing to spend. They will reportedly have to match the wage demands of Bacca, which will be similar to those of Hammers’ superstar Dimitri Payet, whose form will likely once again be pivotal to any success the club have next season.

However, having impressed at the European Championships they may face a tough task to keep hold of the Frenchman.

Alongside this, moving into a new stadium may prove to be the catalyst for West Ham’s rise in English football. The fans can also be positive about the signings of Harvard Nordtveit and Sofiane Feghouli, who are sure to be real assets to the club.

In the end, though, a lot will surely rest on the ability of the club to secure the signature of a top quality striker this summer, a task which has thus far proven problematic for the London club.

This article was submitted via our Write For Us feature. Think you can do better? Submit your own article via the link below, and give yourself the chance of winning monthly cash prizes…

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All of a sudden there are rumours about Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez, with West Ham and even Manchester United supposedly interested.

From the Hammers’ point of view, this is the most audacious target in their entire history and despite the jibes from other fans, it would send out a clear signal that West Ham are here to play seriously.

From two free transfers already within the West Ham ranks comes talk of a bid of €60m for the Colombia international, which has left most people reeling and Hammers fans stunned.

Whether there is a grain of truth about it remains to be seen, but in the context that Rodriguez has Manchester United and PSG to choose from, it appears unlikely that the Irons would be his destination of choice.

However, never say never. Apparently, the player wants to feel as loved playing for his club as he does when he plays for his country.

If it’s adulation and praise and lots of it that he’s after, then as long as he puts in a shift, he’ll get that in buckets down in east London. In Paris and Manchester, he’ll melt into the playing staff along with other big and bigger names and won’t be guaranteed first team football regularly either.

So, why would West Ham et al suddenly take notice of a player that has essentially flopped in La Liga despite having some of the world’s best around him?

Well firstly, Rodriguez faces a deeply uncertain future at Real Madrid after his manager, Zinedine Zidane, admitted that the size of his squad leaves his situation “complicated” amid reports of a move to the Premier League.

The 25 year old cost Real a cool £63m in 2014 on the back of the World Cup in Brazil, but has been starved of first team football, something that West Ham are able to offer him. Pressure is a word synonymous with being Real Madrid boss and Zidane is trying to find a place in midfield for such an important player as the Colombian, but with Isco and Gareth Bale playing so well week in and week out, he may be forced to sell and recoup some of the money spent. Rodriguez didn’t even get a sniff of playing in the Champions League final – there is no room at the inn.

It’s time to move on.

It’s possible that West Ham are thinking of a Dimitri Payet replacement, should the Frenchman leave after all. If that’s the case, then the money for Payet will be close to the amount they will need to spend on Rodriguez.

Could Payet and Rodriguez play together? It would be a nice conundrum to have if you are Slaven Bilic.

Once considered to be among the best young players in the world,  James can play in several positions across the midfield, having played as a playmaker, a winger, and a central midfielder for both club and country, though in an interview, he stated his main preference as an attacking midfielder. Praised for his technical skills, vision, and his ability to create chances for team-mates as a playmaker, the Colombian international’s performances have led to comparisons with the famous Colombian footballer Carlos Valderrama. Valderrama himself declared James as his “successor”.

Rodriguez has been valued at around €80m by Real and it’s unclear whether the east London side would be willing to match such a high asking fee, despite having the funds to do be able to complete the deal.

With more readily available cash to hand, the Hammers can now command big wage packages. The club were rumoured to have offered former star Carlos Tevez a £150,000-a-week contract in an attempt to bring him back, but despite being turned down, it shows the club’s new-found financial clout.

The fact that such a name, wasting his talent on the bench in Spain could be free to move on, is what is alerting clubs, but for West Ham to show interest is a display of intent from the Hammers board.

A player like the Colombian in an improving West Ham squad could make all the difference when it comes to obtaining one of those golden Champions League places next season.

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Under Mauricio Pochettino we know how Tottenham will play and how they will set up next season. We’ve learned a lot about the north Londoners over the past year. From the fact that they’re one of the fittest teams in the league who like to press and make life difficult in the midfield, to the fact that they also have a streak of being pretty to watch.

They are a good team filled with good young players, but there are dangers there. And that’s something we learned, too. In that violent game against Chelsea when Spurs realised that their title challenge was slipping out of their grasp, we saw an indiscipline, too. But they’re young and will learn. It’s an exciting time to be a Spurs fan, even if next season will be tougher.

Last season

It was both thoroughly unexpected and also Tottenham’s best season in years, but Spurs will have to prove that last season wasn’t simply an anomaly; that they can establish themselves as Champions League regulars and challenge for titles.

The problem is, it’s harder now. In many ways last season was an anomaly, even if Spurs can prove that their league position and the level of their performances weren’t a one-off for them.

It wasn’t just the identity of the champions that made last season anomalous, it was the fact that the top teams underperformed so thoroughly over the course of an entire season. This season, even if Spurs progress and play even better, they could still find themselves fighting tooth and nail for a Europa League place come the end of the season. That’s the nature of the Premier League these days.

What does success look like?

That makes success much harder to define at Spurs this year. Usually progression is the big demand; and after a third place finish last year, second or better would be the logical progression. But this team is so young and has so much potential that just playing better football that last year, and being more consistent will be a success. The aim is to learn, not necessarily to win.

They might, however, target a cup competition rather than the league as their best chance of a more tangible success than simply making their good young players better. A good showing and a cup to show for it should be the aim.

How has the summer gone?

Whilst the big teams who finished below Spurs are investing heavily and throwing money at their considerable problems, Tottenham are investing quietly in areas where they needed more depth.

Victor Wanyama is an astute signing, though Pochettino may have to iron out the discipline wrinkles in his game. On his day, though, he is Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier rolled into one.

Vincent Janssen is the stand out signature so far this window for Spurs, though. Harry Kane can’t take all the responsibility to score all the goals every season, so more firepower is needed, and if Janssen’s meteoric rise continues, he’ll do the trick.

Key man

There isn’t always one stand out player at Spurs, but there certainly is a reliance of sorts on Harry Kane’s goalscoring ability, even if it’s not as bad as it was the season before last.

Kane will once again be the main man, however, and whilst there are no doubts over his ability to score – as there were this time last year – there are certainly doubts over Tottenham’s ability to get goals if Kane does drop off in form as all players do from time to time. They’ll be hoping Janssen is worth the money.

Make or break season

For the outlay spent on him in the wake of the Gareth Bale transfer, and for his high profile before signing, Erik Lamela still needs to produce more consistency than we’re used to seeing of him in a Tottenham shirt.

We do see glimpses of his ability from time to time, but with players like Dele Alli coming through the ranks, glimpses won’t be enough for much longer.

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Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles impressed the Toon faithful during their victory away at Rotherham United on the weekend.

The Magpies’ star centre-back was sensational as his team secured a 0-1 victory away in south Yorkshire to continue their pursuit of promotion back to the Premier League.

Questions marks were raised over the summer when Rafael Benitez handed the captain’s armband to the young defender but his steely performances have been instrumental in Newcastle’s early season fortune and Saturday was no different.

Rotherham’s direct approach saw Lascelles make a staggering 18 clearances to keep them at bay – the second highest clearances registered by a single player in the Championship this season and bettered only by Derby’s Jason Shackell, who made 20 in a single game.

It wasn’t only his clearances that had Tyneside fans excited, as his 83% pass success rate was a return that even Pep Guardiola would have appreciated. His aerial prowess and domination of the Rotherham forwards was evident also as he won 11 challenges in the air.

The win keeps Newcastle in third place, just two points outside the top two, and after securing all three points against Norwich in midweek, a victory at the New York Stadium was crucial.