Geordie Boot Boys

Paul Merson has explained why it is so important that Newcastle United beat Burnley on Saturday.

The Magpies intend to bounce back after an infuriating result against Tottenham Hotspur in midweek. Newcastle’s draw with Spurs felt like a defeat, and now Eddie Howe’s side will aim to respond.

The game against Burnley is the start of an incredibly challenging week for Newcastle United, as they prepare for a Champions League away day and the return of the Tyne-Wear derby.

With those fixtures coming up, Paul Merson believes Newcastle United vs Burnley is such an ‘important’ game.

If you bumped into Eddie Howe on the street right now, what changes would you tell him to make vs Burnley?!

I’d be telling him to get Anthony Gordon in the XI after his cameo against Spurs!

Paul Merson backs a comfortable Newcastle United win over Burnley

Newcastle go into Saturday’s game against Burnley as favourites, with Merson expecting a comfortable win at St James’ Park for Howe’s side.

He has told Sportskeeda that he thinks the Magpies will be victorious, as they aim to build up some momentum ahead of facing Bayer Leverkusen and Sunderland.

“I can’t see anything but a Newcastle win,” he said.

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“Burnley away and Wolves anywhere are the two teams you want to play at the moment. Newcastle are moving steady in the league, and even though they are 12th in the table, just five points separate them from Chelsea in fourth.

“Newcastle are a team that can beat anyone on their day. The only thing they’re lacking is consistency. I think they will finish in the top four if they can be consistent, certainly have the players to do it.

“Let’s not forget, it’s a big week coming up for Newcastle. After the trip to Burnley, they face Leverkusen in the Champions League in a clash that can help them move closer to the knockout stages, if they win. And then, it’s the big derby against Sunderland next weekend! So it’s important they set the right momentum by beating Burnley.

“If Newcastle turn up with the same tempo they set when facing big teams, they will win this game comfortably. If they are complacent, Burnley can hurt them.”

Merson’s prediction: Newcastle United 3 Burnley 0.

Three HUGE games on the horizon, but are you worried Newcastle could get complacent against a struggling Burnley team?

If Newcastle turn up with the same tempo they set when facing big teams, they will win this game comfortably. If they are complacent, Burnley can hurt them.

Paul Merson on Newcastle vs Burnley for Sportskeeda

Eddie Howe will hope to rotate ahead of busy week for Newcastle United

As Merson says, Newcastle United have two crucial games immediately after facing Burnley. The Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen has a lot more riding on it after the defeat against Marseille, while the derby needs no introduction.

Amid this relentless run of fixtures, Howe will want to rotate his side and keep as many of his top stars fresh. That is why Sandro Tonali is rested in Geordie Boot Boys’ predicted Newcastle United XI to face Burnley.

But Newcastle cannot look too far ahead. While Burnley are 19th in the league with 10 points, Eddie Howe will not underestimate them. That would be incredibly dangerous.

With the January transfer window fast approaching, Newcastle United have a couple of areas they need to work on, but Eddie Howe is going to have to perform a delicate balancing act.

The season is just starting to pick up for Newcastle, who are now on a three-game unbeaten run heading into this weekend’s clash with Burnley.

If Kieran Trippier isn’t Newcastle United’s best-ever January transfer signing, who is?

There’s no wrong answers other than Jean-Alain Boumsong 🤣

Eddie Howe may be seeing improvements in his team, but there’s still work to be done. January is an interesting time for any club, with some reluctant to do business, but we expect the Magpies to dip their toe in the market, at least.

Indeed, it’s said Newcastle want a new full-back and a new midfielder as priorities in the New Year. But Howe will surely find it hard to tempt new players to join for one reason.

Newcastle United may be frustrated in full-back search

While Newcastle do need a new full-back, the problem is Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall are simply too good.

Any player coming into Newcastle will know they are only going to be playing second fiddle to the two talismanic full-backs. That’s not exactly the most enticing offer for most players, especially in a World Cup year.

The fact of the matter is, Newcastle are a much better team when both players are in the starting line-up. In fact, the Magpies have not lost a game when they have both started this season. Unfortunately, that’s only four matches, and therein lies the issue.

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Newcastle need cover on both sides of defence. It’s no good playing Dan Burn at left-back, and Kieran Trippier is also injured which leaves the right side at risk, too.

But, just as Tottenham Hotspur found out, signing back-ups to your best players is a near impossible task. Harry Kane was undroppable for Spurs during his time there, which is the main reason the Lilywhites had to make do with players like Carlos Vinicius, Vincent Janssen, and even Richarlison, to an extent.

The same applies to Livramento and Hall, so the task for Howe is essentially to either find a player good enough to truly challenge them, or settle for a sub-par player who will be happy enough playing a bit-part role.

Eddie Howe needs to be ambitious with transfer targets

While the option of finding a suitable second-choice full-back may make the most sense in terms of squad harmony and financial outlay, there is something very tempting about the idea of going big and signing another elite full-back.

If you look at Arsenal, for example, this season they have essentially got eight top-drawer defenders competing for four spaces in the team. That’s working out pretty well for them, isn’t it?

Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall need help!

Newcastle United need a new full-back, but should Eddie Howe go big or play it safe?

Newcastle United cannot lose when Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall start together.

Which full-back would you sign in January?

Can you imagine if Spurs had managed to sign another world class striker alongside Kane; someone who would push the England captain all the way and make him sweat over his spot?

It’s easier said than done, of course. You have to identify that player, spend money on that player, and convince them to come. But, if Newcastle want to go to the next level and truly break the Big Six, this is how they do it, and PIF need to make that investment.

There was a strange feeling inside St James’ Park after Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur.

Toon fans had watched Newcastle United draw with Spurs, despite Eddie Howe’s side being comfortably the better team.

Alan Shearer thought Newcastle played well against Spurs, but it did not translate to three points. Instead, the Magpies were stung by a 95th minute equaliser courtesy of a Cristian Romero overhead kick.

Having seen a lead slip away twice, Bruno Guimaraes was furious after the game. In an interview after the full-time whistle, Bruno said it felt like a defeat, and that was a sentiment shared by multiple people within the club.

We paid £40m for Bruno Guimaraes – just how much is he worth now? 🫨

Since his first start in March 2022, Bruno Guimaraes has been left out of Newcastle United’s Premier League starting XI on just 10 occasions.

The Magpies have not won a single one of those games!

Spurs draw feels like a defeat to Newcastle United

That is according to the Athletic’s Chris Waugh, who spoke about Newcastle drawing with Tottenham Hotspur on the latest episode of Pod On The Tyne.

Waugh shared how people within the club have viewed the draw, after being asked if Newcastle United are a ‘what if team’ currently.

“It feels like that at the moment,” he said.

“It certainly feels like that they are trying to grasp momentum and it just keeps slipping through their fingers whenever it feels like that they’ve got it.

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“Speaking to a lot of people in and around the club, so many of them independently of one another have described the draw as feeling like a defeat against Spurs given the manner of it and really given the fact that twice they’ve taken the lead and twice they’ve thrown it away.

“And at St James’ Park where they have been so strong for so long, against a Spurs side that offered very little in attack. They had two shots on target and scored them both. Second goal in particular is a shambles all round, how it ends up going in the net.”

Another goal conceded in stoppage time, what is going on? 😡

That’s four points lost from goals conceded in stoppage time.

Newcastle United’s attitude can help them against Burnley

Drawing with Spurs in the manner that they did was crushing for Newcastle United. However, it could also serve as momentum.

Eddie Howe’s side are a team that have proven they can bounce back from setbacks, particularly at St James’ Park.

Given the nature of the Spurs result, there will be a feeling internally that they need to respond. In a perverse way, the draw could actually help them against Burnley.

Of course, what would help them more is having two extra points on the board. Alas, they remain in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Now they have another chance to build up momentum against Burnley, as they prepare for a massive week. After facing the Clarets, they head to Germany to take on Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. Then it is the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.

Newcastle United striker Nick Woltemade had a polarising night against Tottenham Hotspur.

The German forward had confidence pulsing through his veins after his audacious lob against Everton, but could not add to his tally on Tuesday night.

He did come close, with Nick Woltemade’s second half header cleared off the line as Newcastle United drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur.

The 23-year-old played the full 90 minutes at St James’ Park, and it is fair to say he endured a challenging evening.

Late HEARTBREAK 😫 Who was your Newcastle MOTM against Tottenham?👏🏻

Newcastle United saw the good and bad of Nick Woltemade vs Spurs

Starting with the positives, how about that assist?! Once again, Woltemade was influential in the final third.

So many of Newcastle’s best attacking moments this season have come through him, and the draw with Spurs was no exception.

Woltemade cleverly knocked Anthony Gordon’s cross into the path of Bruno Guimaraes, who produced a wonderful finish to give the Magpies the lead. It was once again a reminder of Woltemade’s creativity and desire to bring others into the game, with the 6ft 6in forward now boasting nine goal contributions in all competitions.

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He produced the goods when it mattered, but it was actually more of a frustrating performance from Newcastle’s most expensive signing.

There were plenty of moments that Newcastle United needed Woltemade to hold the ball up, yet it was either bouncing off him or he tried to pull off a sexy flick that did not reach a teammate.

At times, the Magpies needed Woltemade to relieve the pressure, but it just was not happening for him. However, he remained on the pitch with 18-year-old Sean Neave being the only alternative in reserve.

Yoane Wissa help is finally arriving for Nick Woltemade

The game against Spurs was a clear example of Eddie Howe desperately needing another striker to turn to. However, he was not afforded that luxury.

Fortunately, it is a luxury that is suddenly coming his way. Yoane Wissa is back in training, and his debut is finally on the horizon.

Wissa and Woltemade should play up front TOGETHER – agree or disagree?

It has been reported that Wissa wants to feature against Burnley, which is the Magpies’ upcoming game on Saturday. It could be the moment Toon fans have been waiting for, with the £55million forward desperate to repay the faith the club have put in him.

Wissa’s return is great news for Woltemade too. It lifts the pressure off his shoulders, even if it is pressure he has largely coped with since arriving on Tyneside.

Finally Howe is set to have two strikers he can rely on, in a moment that could prove to be transformative for Newcastle United’s season.

Bruno Guimaraes did everything Eddie Howe asked of him, but it did not guide Newcastle United to victory against Tottenham Hotspur.

The 28-year-old was brought on at half-time on Tuesday night, and it looked for all the world that he was propelling Newcastle United to another crucial win at St James’ Park. Bruno Guimaraes’ wonderful finish gave them the lead, but it was not a lead they could protect.

The Magpies conceded, re-took the lead then conceded again, throwing away victory against a well below par Spurs side.

Newcastle’s draw against Tottenham Hotspur was infuriating, and Bruno refused to hide his true feelings when he spoke to the media after the game.

Use just one word to describe this man’s display tonight…😍

Bruno Guimaraes delivered, but brands Newcastle’s results against Spurs as ‘unacceptable’

As soon as the full-time whistle blew, Bruno was visibly annoyed. He clashed with Cristian Romero before storming round the pitch for the lap of appreciation.

The enraged midfielder then spoke openly about the result to BBC Sport, branding it ‘unacceptable’ to draw in the way that they did.

“It’s tough to say about the game when you concede [so late],” he said.

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“The ball was bouncing in the box, and no one was there to take it away, including myself. The feeling right now is very negative. We did the most difficult thing, which was to score again and make it 2-1, but it is unacceptable for us to concede again at the end of the game.

“It was a brilliant finish, but I would change everything about my goal to get the three points today. The gaffer asked me to come to the pitch and put the energy on, we did this, but I cannot leave happy today, even with the goal. We have to take the positive, we have another game on Saturday, and we have to be ready and positive, have the energy and intensity to get the three points.”

Bruno Guimaraes says Newcastle United did not get what they deserved against Spurs

Bruno went on to admit that he thought Newcastle United were the better team against Spurs and deserved the full three points.

More points thrown away, do Newcastle United have a mentality problem?😠

Bad feeling not being able to come away with the three points, especially right at the end of the match. We need to improve our mentality so that mistakes like this don’t happen again. On Saturday we have another opportunity at home, which we can’t afford to waste.

Bruno Guimaraes via his official Instagram account.

“This is not the first time we conceded at the end of the game,” he said.

“This is something we have to sort out.

“It is a game where, in my point of view, we were better than them. The goal we conceded was like a defeat tonight, and we leave here very unhappy.”

Newcastle were the better team, but it counts for nothing. They conceded in stoppage time in spectacular yet embarrassing fashion, picking up just one point instead of three.

Bruno thinks Newcastle need to improve their mentality, and it is hard to disagree. This is the third time this season that they have conceded a decisive goal in stoppage time, giving up four points in the process.

Their game management must improve, starting against Burnley on Saturday. After that it is a Champions League away trip to Bayer Leverkusen, before facing Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby.

If the Magpies’ mentality is not right for that game then there could be trouble ahead.

Anthony Elanga’s stop-start Newcastle United career continued against Spurs on Tuesday night.

The 23-year-old looked like he had turned a corner during Newcastle United’s win over Everton, getting his first assist for the club when he set up Nick Woltemade.

Eddie Howe praised Anthony Elanga for his performance, insisting that the winger could now go from strength to strength.

What came next was a return to the Newcastle United bench and a cameo that left Toon fans frustrated.

Has Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham made you feel any differently about Aaron Ramsdale?👀

Anthony Elanga made no attempt to stop Cristian Romero

Cristian Romero’s equaliser in Newcastle United’s draw with Spurs was infuriating and avoidable.

Aaron Ramsdale has been criticised for his role in the goal, reacting slowly as the centre-back’s overhead kick found its way into his net.

However, Anthony Elanga also cannot be looked upon favourably for his role in the goal.

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As the ball looped high into the air, Romero was the only player on the pitch interested in engaging. Having initially been knocked to the floor, he swiftly got to his feet and decided he was attempting the spectacular.

All the while, Elanga watches him do it as the closest Newcastle United player. There is no attempt to get between man and ball or block the shot from the summer signing.

This Newcastle United squad is built on a never say die attitude. Eddie Howe’s players put their bodies on the line for the badge, but Elanga did not do that on Tuesday night.

He needs to buy into what makes this Newcastle United team special. If not, he may never truly succeed in black and white.

Another goal conceded in stoppage time, what is going on? 😡

That’s four points lost from goals conceded in stoppage time.

Eddie Howe’s verdict on Tottenham Hotspur’s late equaliser

After the game, Eddie Howe gave his honest feelings on the 95th minute equaliser to BBC Sport.

“Ultimately, we haven’t defended a corner well enough,” he said.

“That comes from not doing our jobs individually. Not getting a really strong first contact on that first ball that comes into the box. It’s a painful way to end the game.”

Newcastle United were awarded a penalty against Tottenham Hotspur that just about everyone agrees should never have been given.

With not long left on the clock, Newcastle United were able to take the lead against Spurs through a fine Anthony Gordon penalty.

It all counted for nothing, of course, with Tottenham clawing back in the final moments to share the points on the night.

Late HEARTBREAK 😫 Who was your Newcastle MOTM against Tottenham?👏🏻

While fans fume about Eddie Howe’s tactics and the poor performance from Aaron Ramsdale, the controversial penalty Newcastle were given is a major talking point for neutrals.

Awarded after Rodrigo Bentancur tussled with Dan Burn in the box, most outside of the Newcastle fanbase have said it was a case of six of one, half a dozen of the other, but the spot-kick still ended up being given.

VAR is influencing referees too much

Interestingly, referee Thomas Bramall didn’t give a penalty at the time, before VAR intervened and told him to go to the monitor. He changed his mind once reviewing the footage.

Discussing this incident on The Rest is Football, even Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer was baffled by the fact his team got the penalty call.

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He said: “I was actually thinking, he’s going to go to the monitor and he’s going to stick with his original decision, which was no penalty. Obviously, he didn’t give it. And I’m thinking, once he sees this, is he going to actually believe there’s enough to say he’s made an absolute howler here?

“If you give him that, I think you’re giving five, six, seven, eight penalties a game. There wasn’t enough in it for me for it to be a penalty.”

Gary Lineker agreed, and picked out the fact that referees very rarely stick to their guns when they are asked to review footage.

“It’s mad really how rare it is that a referee will stick with his on-field decision after the influence when he’s sent to a monitor.” Lineker said.

Newcastle didn’t deserve penalty, but did deserve three points

Even the most ardent Newcastle fan would probably, secretly agree that the penalty was soft, to say the least. But, it did give the Magpies a deserved lead.

Newcastle dominated Spurs for much of the game and really should have come away from St. James’ Park with all three points.

More points thrown away, do Newcastle United have a mentality problem?😠

Bad feeling not being able to come away with the three points, especially right at the end of the match. We need to improve our mentality so that mistakes like this don’t happen again. On Saturday we have another opportunity at home, which we can’t afford to waste.

Bruno Guimaraes via his official Instagram account.

The home side registered an xG of 2.04 while Spurs only managed 0.75, which tells you all you need to know. Newcastle also had 19 shots to Tottenham’s eight, and enjoyed the majority of possession with 53% to 47% for the away team.

It was a strong yet frustrating display from Newcastle, with poor defending costing them two points. If you ask me, Eddie Howe shut up shop and invited pressure by switching to five at the back, and it’s not the first time that’s happened.

The Newcastle United manager must throw caution to the wind and be bold, and the rewards will surely follow.

Bruno Guimaraes was exceptional off the bench against Tottenham Hotspur, but he is not the only Newcastle United player who can hold his head high.

The Magpies’ captain was introduced at half-time on Tuesday night, putting in the kind of performance that should have won them the game. Alas, Newcastle United could only draw with Spurs after conceding in the 95th minute.

Given the nature of Spurs’ equaliser, it feels like a defeat. Bruno could not hide his frustration after the game, and that sentiment was shared by a devastated Toon Army.

But as the dust settles on more dropped points, some positives can be taken. The aforementioned Bruno played very well, while Anthony Gordon offered major encouragement.

Great cameo from Anthony Gordon! Is the Magpies’ number 10 ‘back’?!

What a penalty by the way!

Anthony Gordon finally steps up for Newcastle United

For the second game in a row, Eddie Howe left Anthony Gordon on the bench against Spurs. Given his importance at St James’ Park, that was a bold call.

With Newcastle needing an injection of creativity, Howe turned to the 24-year-old in the 66th minute. The pressure was on Gordon to deliver, as he went in search of his first Premier League goal contribution since January.

He did not immediately get it, but Gordon deserves huge praise for his role in the Magpies’ opener. The winger showed blistering pace to get beyond Pedro Porro, before picking out Nick Woltemade in the box. His layoff was then converted by Bruno Guimaraes, who celebrated wildly in front of the Gallowgate.

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Gordon then got his big moment in the 86th minute, scoring a controversially awarded penalty.

It was his first Premier League goal of the season, and a first goal contribution in the league since 25th January. Before the penalty, his last was an assist in a 3-1 win over Southampton.

This will hopefully be a turning point for Gordon, whose inconsistency in domestic action has proven to be a major source of frustration.

Late HEARTBREAK 😫 Who was your Newcastle MOTM against Tottenham?👏🏻

Anthony Gordon needed to deliver amid Harvey Barnes’ form

Gordon’s impact against Spurs will prove to be a massive confidence boost, at a time when his place in the Newcastle United starting XI has come under threat.

While Gordon has been struggling on the left, Harvey Barnes has been flying. Going into the game against Spurs, Barnes boasted a record of four goal contributions in his last five games.

The £39million man has enjoyed a great run of form, so much so that you could argue he deserves to start consistently ahead of Gordon.

Now the former Everton man has hit back with a strong performance of his own, much to the delight of Eddie Howe who needs as many options as he can get amid a gruelling run of fixtures.

Bruno Guimaraes could not hide his frustration after Newcastle United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

It had looked like the Brazil international was going to be the Magpies’ saviour, having been introduced at half-time and given Newcastle United the lead.

But it was a lead that did not last, with Newcastle drawing with Spurs after throwing away the lead twice.

In the hours after the game, Bruno questioned Newcastle United’s mentality. He is right to do that, having been part of a side that has now given up four points from goals conceded in stoppage time.

That reaction from Bruno was on social media, but what he did on the pitch immediately after the full-time whistle said just as much.

More points thrown away, do Newcastle United have a mentality problem?😠

Bad feeling not being able to come away with the three points, especially right at the end of the match. We need to improve our mentality so that mistakes like this don’t happen again. On Saturday we have another opportunity at home, which we can’t afford to waste.

Bruno Guimaraes via his official Instagram account.

Bruno Guimaraes stormed round the pitch after Newcastle United’s draw with Spurs

There was a brief coming together after the referee called time on Tuesday night, with Bruno Guimaraes and Cristian Romero embroiled in a war of words.

After they were separated, Bruno then shared his frustration with fellow Brazilian and pantomime villain Richarlison.

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The 28-year-old then started what had to be the quickest lap of appreciation St James’ Park has ever seen. Bruno marched around the pitch alone, clearly seething at seeing his side concede so late on.

It was such a soft goal to concede too. The fact a Newcastle United player was unable to block Romero’s overhead kick is incredible, while Aaron Ramsdale did not cover himself in glory either.

Bruno’s post-match actions said it all. It is an infuriating result, and one that feels like a defeat rather than a draw.

Cristian Romero mocked Bruno Guimaraes during Newcastle United vs Spurs

There was no love lost between Bruno and Romero at full-time, as is often the case when Brazilians and Argentinians come together.

Cristian Romero bizarrely copied Bruno Guimaraes’ celebration after scoring against Newcastle🤔

Nothing quite like copying your idols…

The reason for their war of words is unclear, although it is hard to imagine Bruno was best pleased with what Romero did after his 95th minute equaliser.

The Spurs centre-back ran in front of the Newcastle United fans in celebration, cupping his ears just like Bruno does when he scores.

On a night that should have belonged to the Magpies, it was certainly Spurs who got the last laugh.

Newcastle United were not terrible against Tottenham Hotspur, but some of Eddie Howe’s players certainly did not do themselves justice.

It was a frustrating end to what should have been a comfortable night inside St James’ Park. Newcastle United were largely dominant against Spurs, but did not capitalise on the chances they created.

They were ultimately punished, with Newcastle drawing 2-2 with Spurs despite leading twice.

Eddie Howe will be furious with his side’s game management, and the biggest culprit was surely Joelinton.

It’s time to talk about Joelinton. Poor yet again vs Spurs, so should he be dropped?

Eddie Howe has plenty of options in midfield.

Joelinton unable to find consistency as problem returns

It was just over a week ago that Newcastle United beat Manchester City. Howe’s side were spectacular that night, with Joelinton playing particularly brilliantly.

After that game, I praised Joelinton for his performance after previously criticising the midfield enforcer. I called on him to find consistency, but that has not happened.

The 29-year-old did well against Everton on Saturday evening, but followed that up with an infuriating display versus Spurs. He was so wasteful in possession, especially in moments when Newcastle needed control in centre-midfield.

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Joelinton’s technical shortcomings were clear for all to see, and it is becoming a major issue for Eddie Howe. The £40million man offers so much with his tactical awareness and physicality, but his ability on the ball continues to hinder the Magpies.

Another goal conceded in stoppage time, what is going on? 😡

That’s four points lost from goals conceded in stoppage time.

Lewis Miley is the solution to Newcastle United’s midfield issue

Should Howe decide it is time to replace Joelinton in midfield, he has plenty of options.

But while Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey would love to get an extended run in the starting XI, it is Lewis Miley who deserves the opportunity.

The Newcastle United academy graduate has impressed in recent days, retaining his place in the side against Spurs after shining in the win over Everton. Miley was great against the Toffees, while he can also be happy with his display on Tuesday night.

The 19-year-old has become much more physical, while he has the technical qualities that Joelinton is missing.