Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Southampton: 9/10 Almiron scores again; Willock, Guimaraes get 8

High-flyers Newcastle United swatted aside a fizzling Southampton side 4-1 at St. Mary’s on Sunday to extend their unbeaten run to nine Premier League games.

Miguel Almiron continued his red-hot scoring form in front of goal as Newcastle United coasted to a superb 4-1 win on the south coast against wasteful Southampton on Sunday to strengthen their grip on a top-four place.

After a very interesting start to the game where both sides looked threatening, the Magpies started to put their stamp on the match, with Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson coming close to breaking the deadlock before the visitors took the lead through the in-form Almiron.

Both Longstaff and Wilson combined to send the Paraguayan to run at the opposition, who knocked the ball around rushing Ainsley Maitland-Niles, swivelling his way before slotting past Gavin Bazunu to continue his streak of freak goals.

However, just before halftime, Mohamed Elyounoussi missed an absolute sitter at the back-post for the Saints after failing to turn in a Stuart Armstrong cross from close range in what was a big let-off for the Magpies.

Southampton dominated from the start of the second half, but a ruthless Newcastle side schooled the Saints on how to finish off chances with several devastating and effective counter-attacks. Substitute Chris Wood doubled Newcastle’s lead with a beautiful finish, and Willock toe-poked in the third soon after.

Full-back Romain Perraud pulled a late consolation back for the hosts with an excellent solo strike. But Bruno Guimaraes curled the ball into the bottom right corner from the edge of the box to make sure Newcastle’s amazing away support — that was enjoying it to the fullest despite heavy rain — leaves on a high.

RELENTLESS. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/A5pNbOHKXw

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 6, 2022

For all of those who think their success is all down to money, Howe is currently getting the best out of some unheralded and underrated players who were previously considered squad players during their time at Newcastle under former boss Steve Bruce.

The likes of Fabian Schar, Sean Longstaff, Willock, Jonjo Shelvey, Jacob Murphy, Almiron, Joelinton, and the list goes on and on. Newcastle are heading into every single game looking like winning, entertaining and the mentality shift is a credit to Howe and these spirited players, as is the fact that they are now up to third in the Premier League table, only five points adrift of being in the conversation for a genuine title-race.

Nick Pope: 8/10

Made two notable saves to deny an early Saints flurry. A fine save low down early in the game prevented Romain Perraud from scoring nine minutes in, before saving a decent enough James Ward-Prowse free-kick in the second half.

Otherwise, the Englishman wasn’t called into action that much thanks to the incredibly resilient backline in front of him. It’s a shame he didn’t come away with the seventh clean sheet of the season.

Kieran Trippier: 9/10

Unyielding pressure on the right, the Newcastle captain demonstrated exactly why no one is talking much about England’s right-back dilemma despite the loss of Kyle Walker and Reece James, relying on his imperious form this season.

Kieran Trippier’s game by numbers vs. Southampton:

4 ground duels won
4 long balls completed
3 tackles won
3 clearances
1 key pass
1 assist

Another top performance from the Newcastle skipper. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/eFUnbxIBmC

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 6, 2022

Barring the moment when he left Elyounoussi unmarked at the back-post, he was defensively sound. He was at his creative best on the other end, playing an eye-of-the-needle, weighted defence-splitting pass to assist Willock’s goal.

Acted almost as an auxiliary De Bruyne-Esque playmaker, while his deliveries on creative set pieces were bang on the money. Gave in-attendance Gareth Southgate and Eddie Howe a live heart attack when he struggled a bit with his hamstring.

Fabian Schar: 8/10

Schar was like a wall between a craving Southampton and Pope. Didn’t let a fly past him, smartly cleared time and time again. Showed composure and class on the ball with a couple of trademark passes over the Saints’ defence.

Sven Botman: 8/10

The Saints’ frontline were thwarted by some excellent, composed last-ditch defending from Botman. Big, physical, classy on the ball, capable of playing out from the back, and just loves to defend, the Dutchman is a real find from Eddie Howe and co. Will be annoyed by Southampton’s late goal, but that’s the standard the Magpies are setting these days.

Dan Burn: 8/10

While his lack of pace worked against him against tricky Saints’ flank-men and caused him some trouble at times, not much got past him. Strong in the air when he needed to and dealt with what Southampton had to throw at him well. Rock solid and was there to sweep up. Seven clearances, and a lovely switch to Trippier showcasing his underrated quality on the ball.

Sean Longstaff: 8/10

Had plenty of moments in the game to get at least two goals, of which one was headed wide after being put on a plate by Willock at the near post. Anyway, those moments aside, his overall display was simply fabulous, and he’s playing with so much more confidence and freedom when compared to past seasons under Steve Bruce when he looked somewhat deflated.

One of many examples of Eddie Howe’s excellent coaching working wonders, he covered every blade of grass as usual, while making numerous underside and overlapping runs down Romain Perraud’s side. Played a big role in the opener and was just irrepressible. Sprinting to close down the opposition keeper in the stoppage time. Put in a real shift for the team. Blade runner.

Bruno Guimaraes: 8/10

When Guimaraes has a good game, Newcastle are destined to win, as the midfielder put on a brilliant show in the middle. The Brazilian controlled the game’s tempo for the majority of it and popped up with the best goal of the match with a lovely curling strike from range to put the icing on the cake. And yes, he did it again while chewing gum. Absolute filth, making a mockery of the sport.

Joe Willock: 8/10

A really impressive performance by Willock. Got into some really good areas on the left-hand side and put in a few testing crosses for the Saints’ backline to deal with. Provided energy and again covered a lot of ground. Added the much-needed goal to his game with an expertly taken toe-poke top-spin finish past Bazunu. His pace in the transition made him a threat.

Miguel Almiron: 9/10

Miguel Almiron continued his fine form with his seventh goal in as many games for Newcastle and four in a row. And it was another great finish. The Paraguayan burst past the Southampton defence at ease, dancing and bending away from challenges, before slotting the ball underneath Gavin Bazunu in front of the away end. Involved in the Magpies’ most dangerous attacks.

Miguel Almiron’s leading the way at Newcastle 👊 pic.twitter.com/LXFqgct6rd

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 6, 2022

Eddie Howe has really turned water into wine in the case of Almiron, who wasn’t able to buy a goal last season and is now scoring for fun. There are some sheer high-quality goals and wonder strikes in his season’s showreel. How(e) wrong was Grealish about the magical South American?

Callum Wilson: 7/10

Played an important part in the opening goal, allowing Miguel Almiron to pick up the ball in space and gallop at the defence before finding the back of the net. He was replaced at halftime, leaving some Newcastle supporters sweating, but nothing serious; it was just a precautionary measure.

Jacob Murphy: 7/10

An excellent shift from Murphy, who was not expected to play at the start ahead of Allan Saint-Maximin, but Howe kept with the Englishman as a more defensively sound option. His industry and attitude to never give up were there to see, while he also flung in a few good crosses and interchanged positions with Willock on the outside seamlessly. Bagged an assist for Wood’s goal as well.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Chris Wood: 8/10

Wood came on at the half-time break for Callum Wilson, with Eddie Howe taking no risks with his talismanic striker. Having come under some light criticism from Newcastle fans, the New Zealander reminded everyone of his deadliness with a quality finish on the spin past Gavin Bazunu.

The goal was a critical one as it provided Newcastle with some breathing space, with the hosts turning on the pressure at 1-0 down in the first half. Selfless, good at defensive headers, and sprints to cover for the midfield runner, Wood was inspirational, and sacrificial and deserves a mention here.

Jonjo Shelvey: 7/10

Eddie Howe called on Shelvey to stabilise things, with Newcastle a bit under the cosh in the opening exchanges of the second period.

And the veteran playmaker did exactly what was asked of him, while his raking balls, switches of play, and outside-of-the-boot passes set off the Magpies on the counter-attack multiple times. Adds another layer of class to Newcastle’s forays. With this appearance, he triggered a one-year contract extension at the club.

Allan Saint-Maximin: 7/10

After being three down, the last sight the tired legs of Southampton defenders want is that of Saint-Maximin lacing up his boot on the touchline. He gave Newcastle a lift in transitions, while some of his close control was mesmerizing. Got an easy assist for Guimaraes’ stunner. Excellent cameo.

Elliot Anderson: N/A

Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.

Javier Manquillo: N/A

Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.