'Helping Newcastle stay up' - Lee Ryder highlights unlikely hero to NUFC's survival push

Newcastle United made it three consecutive wins in the Premier League thanks to Kieran Trippier’s second free-kick goal of the week. Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa had no answers and Eddie Howe’s side secured a hard fought 1-0 win.

A superb result now leaves Newcastle four points clear of the drop zone with a game in hand – what a position that is considering they were the last team to win a game in the league this season.

The goal scoring right-back will be getting the majority of the headlines either way, having won the game but being forced off with an injury. However, journalist Lee Ryder picked out the performance of Joelinton for a special mention in his post match debrief.

He gave the Brazilian an eight out of ten in his match ratings, highlighting his defensive work as a huge factor in Newcastle’s success. He claimed: “His defensive grit – rather than offensive contributions – is helping Newcastle stay up. Six big tackles.”

If you’d have said a year ago, Joelinton would be where he is today you’d have been laughed at! No one would’ve thought the record signing, brought to the club to fire goals in for fun, would struggle to hit the back of the net and change position.

His defensive work is clearly a big factor, a far cry from his original Magpies purpose having been signed as a striker. He may have only won nine ground duels, but he attempted 17 – showing his commitment to the cause and desire to get stuck in. He won three from five aerial duels too, that’s huge for the midfield battle.

He made six tackles as mentioned by Lee Ryder, having more touches than either of his his midfield counterparts, so he was clearly instrumental to the win at St James’ Park.

In other news, Gary Neville lauds Dan Burn

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