Sandro Tonali on target as Newcastle United thump Aston Villa 5-1
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Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali celebrates scoring their first goal on his league debut, with Sven Botman and Bruno Guimaraes.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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NEWCASTLE – Eddie Howe has urged Newcastle United fans to “dream” after the Magpies thrashed Aston Villa 5-1 in their English Premier League season-opener at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Midfielder Sandro Tonali and forward Harvey Barnes both scored on their debuts, while Alexander Isak reminded everybody of his calibre with two exquisite finishes.
“We want the supporters to dream. We scored five, we could have scored more. Everything clicked for us,” Howe told Match of the Day.
“It was a tight game, decided by our ruthlessness in front of goal. Villa were also in the game, so we’re very pleased.
“We had to be at our best. We knew we had a difficult start (with the fixture list), so you look at this game as a massive moment in our season.
“Now we have to go to Manchester City, which is the hardest place to go. We’ve got to embrace the challenge and then of course Liverpool, but we will focus on City first.”
Tonali, who signed from AC Milan in July,
France winger Moussa Diaby also scored a debut goal, when his sizzling half-volley put Villa level in the 11th minute, but Newcastle soon took the lead again with a brilliantly worked free-kick routine that ended with Sven Botman teeing up Isak for a simple finish.
Unai Emery’s side suffered a serious blow when defender Tyrone Mings went down after a tussle with Isak and had to be replaced by Pau Torres.
The injury to Mings comes days after the Birmingham side lost Emiliano Buendia to a serious knee injury that will reportedly keep him out for up to eight months.
After the break, Sweden international Isak exploited a dreadful error by defender Ezri Konsa to add Newcastle’s third in the 58th minute with a sublime chip.
Alexander Isak scores Newcastle United’s third goal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
With the three points seemingly in the bag, Isak made way for Callum Wilson, and he made it four in the 77th minute with a calm finish after good work by fellow substitute Barnes.
The fifth goal arrived in stoppage time as Barnes slotted past Emiliano Martinez before receiving the acclaim of the Gallowgate End for a goal that sent his side to the top of the table on goal difference.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer believes Tonali might turn out to be a “bargain”, even though Howe spent £55 million (S$94.5 million) to sign the Italy international.
“As debuts go, this was as good as it gets – what a magnificent start to his Newcastle career,” said Shearer.
“It was the perfect midfield performance; a goal, an assist, tackles, great range of passing, late runs into the box, getting stuck in, did his bit defensively – he was involved in almost everything.
“When you compare some of the prices that have been paid for midfielders and are about to be paid for them, I know it is early days... but he might turn out to be a bargain.” REUTERS, AFP
