Newcastle United returned to the Championship summit with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa – here is how their players rated.
Karl Darlow (7/10) – Needed to adjust his position to tip a deflected first half Jonathan Kodjia strike over his crossbar. Darlow looked assured and confident whenever Villa attacked – none more so than when superbly blocking a Birkir Bjarnason strike in the second half.
DeAndre Yedlin (7/10) – A typically energetic display from the American full back, despite picking up a stray elbow from Villa midfielder Henri Lansbury mid way through the first half. Yedlin regularly got the better of direct opponent Kodjia in both defensive and forward areas.
Jamaal Lascelles (7/10) – Newcastle’s captain was booked for a first half foul on Villa’s centre forward Scott Hogan, as part of a fiercely stoic showing alongside Ciaran Clark. Lascelles’ headed attempt led to Henri Lansbury’s own goal for Newcastle’s second.
Ciaran Clark (6/10) – The former Villa defender continued his role in a flourishing central defensive partnership with Lascelles. Clark subdued Villa’s Scott Hogan on numerous occasions.
Paul Dummett (6/10) – Defended well and endeavoured to support Yoan Gouffran on Newcastle’s left side. Dummett was untroubled by the absence of a right-sided Villa midfielder, until Albert Adomah’s 70th minute introduction.
Jonjo Shelvey (8/10) – Grew into the encounter and soon became the pass-master that Newcastle fans love to see. Shelvey dictated much of Newcastle’s tempo with a wide range of passing and the expected sense of combative edge thrown in for good measure – which saw the midfielder booked for dissent in the first half.
Jack Colback (6/10) – A typically Colback showing, as the Newcastle man scuttled and busied himself alongside the more dynamic Shelvey. Colback helped Newcastle keep and move the ball well during a decent amount of second half possession.
Matt Ritchie (8/10) – The winger provided a constant threat for the home side, in tandem with right back Yedlin, and the pair were involved in most of Newcastle’s positive play throughout. Ritchie came close to extending Newcastle’s lead just before the break, but blazed his shot wide of the post.
Yoan Gouffran (6.5/10) – A neat and tidy display in possession, but Gouffran was inconsistent in the tackle and tracking of Villa’s forward-thinking right back, Alan Hutton. The scorer of the game’s opening goal, Gouffran was quick to react to the chaos in the penalty area following a well-worked corner.
Mohamed Diame (4/10) – Failed to impact on the game after being deployed in a supporting role to Newcastle’s centre forward. Diame was Newcastle’s most anonymous performer during the victory and is certainly capable of producing better.
Dwight Gayle (5/10) – Newcastle’s returning goal-getter lasted just half an hour before being replaced by Aleksandar Mitrovic (6/10) – who put forth a typically industrial showing.
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