Newcastle United managed a 2-1 victory over Stoke City at the St. James’ Park after they held on to a slim one-goal lead until the final whistle. Newcastle went ahead in the 19th minute in a very dominant first-half performance.
Stoke managed to level the proceedings through a wonderful long-range effort from Xherdan Shaqiri after which Newcastle center-back put them in the lead again scoring a really good header from a Matt Ritchie corner. There was a perceptible change in offensive gear for Stoke towards the end of the second half but had nothing to show for it. Below are Newcastle United player ratings:
Robert Elliot:
Rating: 7.5
Elliot had little to do in the first half but made a vital save in the second half. He maintained a really good composure towards the end of the game.
DeAndre Yedlin:
Rating: 7
DeAndre Yedlin had a decent game and had a really good contest with Ramadan Sabhi towards the end.
Ciaran Clark:
Rating: 7.5
Clark did really well to withstand Stoke’s offensive pressure and made some vital tackles and clearances.
Jamaal Lascelles:
Rating: 8
Not only did he have a good game defensively but also came up with the all important goal with a great header in the 68th minute.
Chancel Mbemba:
Rating: 8
Chancel Mbemba did really well to remain offensively influential while being defensively solid.
Isaac Hayden:
Rating: 7
Hayden had an average game and could have closed down Shaqiri for his goal.
Mikel Merino:
Rating: 7
Merino too had an average game as he made a few mistakes by losing possession in dangerous positions.
Christian Atsu:
Rating: 8.5
Atsu was excellent throughout the game as he made several marauding run forward through the left and centre and maintained the ball upfield.
Ayoze Perez:
Rating: 7.5
Perez did really well to pressurize Stoke City defenders into making errors and showed a really good work-rate.
Matt Ritchie:
Rating: 8
Ritchie had an excellent game, providing two assists with two really good crosses.
Joselu:
Rating: 7
Joselu had a good game but didn’t have anything to show for in terms of a goal.
Substitutes:
Jonjo Shelvey:
Rating: 7
Shelvey tried two long-range efforts after coming one of which was blocked in time while the other flew way over the cross-bar.
Dwight Gayle:
Rating: 7
Gayle injected some energy into the game, chased lost causes and made it hard for Stoke defenders to have time on the ball.
Mohamed Diame:
Rating: N/A
Diame played too little to warrant a rating.
