Saturday proved a welcome return to Premier League action for Newcastle United.
Indeed, after heading into the international break in rather dire shape having lost to Borussia Dortmund and Bournemouth amid a frankly ridiculous injury crisis, Newcastle duly put Chelsea to the sword.
Though the opening 45 minutes were tight after Raheem Sterling had cancelled out Alexander Isak’s opener, Eddie Howe’s side ran riot as the Blues collapsed in the second-half to ultimately win 4-1.
It was a particularly good day for young Lewis Miley. The 17-year-old started his second game on the spin – his first Premier League one at St James’ Park – and provided the glorious assist for Isak’s opener.
The pass was hailed as “lovely” by pundit Paul Merson and it’s fair to say Howe was also impressed.
Lewis Miley: Eddie Howe wowed by Newcastle player vs Chelsea
Speaking after the game, Howe hailed the teenager’s “brilliant football brain.”
“To have that composure, to have that moment when so young and on [his] home debut], it was a brilliant pass and finish,” he told Andy Sixsmith.
“He has a brilliant football brain. We sometimes forget he’s 17 years-old!”
Lewis Miley: What a performance from Newcastle teenager
To show such composure as a local lad with the crowd willing him on shows supreme confidence.
Rather than playing the occasion and rushing into a shot, Miley showed an ability to deal with pressure and deliver a perfectly-weighted through ball to Isak.
Hailed over pre-season for his performances in America, it’s fantastic to see the academy graduate back up the hype. Keeping him at the club was a wise decision.
Up against a World Cup winner in Enzo Fernandez, Miley looked more than capable of rubbing shoulders with such company.
With Paris Saint-Germain to come on Tuesday, the teenager has seemingly very little to fear if Howe turns to him again.
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