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‘Hasn’t been the best’: Sky Sports pundit slates 25-year-old Newcastle player despite win yesterday

Giuseppe Labellarte

Mon 18 April 2022 10:15, UK

Newcastle United edged further away from the Premier League relegation zone with a 2-1 win over Leicester on Sunday.

The Magpies have gone from seemingly Championship-bound to just three points off the top half of the Premier League table.

Although Newcastle stumbled a few weeks ago by falling to three consecutive defeats, they’ve now won their last two.

Bruno Guimaraes, the most high-profile Newcastle signing in January, scored a brace to defeat the Foxes on Sunday.

Eddie Howe’s charges fell behind at St James’ Park as Ademola Lookman slotted past Martin Dubravka on 19 minutes.

Newcastle weren’t behind for long, with Guimaraes bundling home Jonjo Shelvey’s 33rd-minute corner.

VAR reviewed and gave the goal after referee Jared Gillett initially thought the Brazilian had kicked the ball out of Kasper Schmeichel’s hands.

Deep into injury time, a counter-attack led to substitute Joe Willock getting to the byline and found Guimaraes.

The 24-year-old headed home in front of the Gallowgate End to send the St James’ Park crowd into raptures.

ASM decision-making slated

Allan Saint-Maximin had a rare off-day for Newcastle, though he did try hard to make things happen.

The 25-year-old lacked an end product against Leicester and gave the ball away on occasion, launching several Foxes counter-attacks.

“Saint-Maximin’s decision-making hasn’t been the best today,” said Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith, commentating on the game ().

Nonetheless, it worked out alright in the end, with Newcastle now 12 points clear of the bottom three.

The Magpies are just about to get over the line, and then the summer transfer window should be exciting for the Toon Army.

Saint-Maximin will no doubt be part of a star-studded Newcastle side that, if everything goes right, should start challenging for silverware in the next few years.

Every player has the odd off-day, and it’s not as if he was bad against Leicester, just a bit below-par by his high standards.

“Huge three points for Newcastle”

Jamie Redknapp assessed the game on Sky Sports.

“It wasn’t the best game of football but it’s a huge three points for Newcastle,” he said.

“Eddie Howe’s objective is to make sure his players stay on it now until the end of the season.

“Don’t relax and see how many points you can get and where it takes you.”

Redknapp also had a warning for the current Magpies squad.

“All of these Newcastle players have to be careful because there will likely be an influx of signings,” he continued.

“Players around the world will watch that atmosphere and will fancy some of that.

“The Newcastle squad are vying for their places.”