Alexander Isak scored twice tonight in Newcastle United’s 5-1 demolition of Aston Villa but his two goals weren’t enough for him to pip Sandro Tonali to Player of the Match.
Newcastle got off to a perfect start to the new Premier League season brushing aside the challenge of Aston Villa with such ease it was almost unfair.
Alexander Isak bagged a brace, Callum Wilson got off the mark on the opening day as is tradition while Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes helped themselves to debut goals. Of course it was Moussa Diaby who netted for Villa as was written in the stars, but ultimately it didn’t matter at all.
Newcastle will spend tonight at the top of the Premier League
The 5-1 win took Newcastle to the top of the league ahead of Brighton who defeated newly promoted Luton 4-1 in a 3 o’clock kick-off. Opening days don’t come much better than this.
The game took a big turn midway through the first half when Tyrone Mings had to be stretchered off the pitch. It took the sting out of the game for a while and may have gone a long way towards Villa’s capitulation. From a Newcastle point of view though, it doesn’t matter how it happened, just that it happened.
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Speaking to Sky Sports after the game Alexander Isak spoke highly of Sandro Tonali’s debut and the quality he’s brought to Newcastle saying: “Prior to Tonali’s arrival we all knew his quality. It is not easy to come to a new league and make such a debut as he did, same with Harvey Barnes, so yeah I’m really impressed.
“We know the quality we have in the squad. For the confidence of the new players, you always want them to play good and the sooner the better. I am happy for the team and those players.”
I gave myself a huge slap on the wrist today for ever thinking Tonali would need time to settle into the Premier League. He didn’t look remotely out of place at any point.
Sandro Tonali rightfully picked up Player of the Match
He made everything look effortless. I knew he was good, but I wasn’t prepared for him being that good. It’s like Bruno Guimaraes‘ debut all over again. Just a different class.
Tonali thoroughly deserved Player of the Match in spite of Isak’s two goals. Barnes with a goal and an assist in 30 minutes of game time in the second half is also a very mouthwatering taste of what’s to come from him too.
What a day!