Newcastle United booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday with a 3-1 win over fourth-tier Luton Town.
The Magpies were cruising after a first-half brace from Ayoze Perez was swiftly followed by Jonjo Shelvey’s third, but a 49th-minute Danny Hylton goal kept Luton in the tie until the closing stages.
Newcastle progressed, though, and here is how we rated the home players’ individual performances…
Freddie Woodman – 4
Settled after a nervy first hour in which Luton scored a soft goal. Made one smart stop.
Javier Manquillo – 4
Struggled against the Luton left winger throughout and too often gave the ball away cheaply.
Jamaal Lascelles – 5
Offset the usual astute defensive work with some lazy possession play before being withdrawn as a precaution.
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Ciaran Clark – 6
Showed some nice touches but was too often left exposed by his defensive team-mates.
Paul Dummett – 5
Although solid enough at the back, the full back lacked quality in the final third at the other end.
Jacob Murphy – 7
Luton had no answer for the wide man’s pace and a jinking run down the left led to the first goal.
Jonjo Shelvey – 6
Took his goal well and drove the midfield forward. Made way shortly after a foolish foul and yellow card.
Mikel Merino – 7
Ran the midfield for Newcastle with fine work in defence and attack. Clashed with Clark after one Luton counter.
Matt Ritchie – 4
A clear lack of pace hindered numerous Newcastle attacks, while his final ball was also poor. Looked better on the right.
Ayoze Perez – 7
Too often ponderous, but linked play and was alert to twice profit from rebounds and set Newcastle on course.
Dwight Gayle – 7
The star of the show. Newcastle’s number nine did not find the net, but he was central to all three goals.
Isaac Hayden (sub for Lascelles) – 5
Accomplished in the first half, sloppy in the second. Escaped with a yellow after one particularly rash challenge.
Mohamed Diame (sub for Shelvey) – 5
Looked to dominate the Luton midfield but, as so often, struggled when asked to contribute in attack.
Henri Saivet (sub for Merino) – 5
Kept the midfield ticking over as Luton’s spirited challenge faded.