Newcastle United largely held Arsenal at bay during Saturday’s huge Premier League win.
Indeed, where last season’s victory over the Gunners was dripping with controversy, Newcastle were good value for their three points in the Premier League on Saturday.
Alexander Isak’s brilliant first-half header proved more than enough for Eddie Howe’s side, who limited Mikel Arteta’s title-chasers to only a few particularly glaring chances.
To suggest they only defended would of course be too much but the defensive performance should still be praised.
Alan Shearer, after all, was delighted with both Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall for their displays on another fantastic day at St James’ Park.
Howe, meanwhile, talked up Hall’s progress following a difficult start to life on Tyneside, with the Newcastle United manager saying the former Chelsea youngster is playing at such a high level right now.
Still, Hall was quick to praise two of his teammates for their work in helping him shut out Arsenal and England star Bukayo Saka.
Lewis Hall people won’t notice how two Newcastle stars helped him stop Bukayo Saka
Saka had scored in each of his last two Premier League games but was denied at Newcastle. According to WhoScored data, the 23-year-old did not have a shot on target and played only one key pass, while only registering two accurate crosses.
Hall, however, was keen to point out that both Joe Willock and Joelinton helped him keep the England star, who he hailed as “unbelievable”, quiet.
“He’s an unbelievable player, I knew I had to do whatever I could to stop him getting a yard or crosses into the box,” he told BBC Match of the Day.
“I had some help from Joelinton and Joe Willock who put in a lot of hard yards that probably go unnoticed.
“As a three we did really well. It’s what we’re known for – high-pressing, getting into people’s faces. It was a really good performance from us.”
Eddie Howe proven right about Newcastle star Lewis Hall
Hall certainly endured a difficult time of things in his opening few months with the club but patience really has been a virtue.
Howe has constantly spoken of the bright future that awaits the 20-year-old and it quickly looks to have dawned.
Already impressing at the top level and with so much of his career ahead of him, Hall looks a masterstroke signing.
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