For the first time this season, Allan Saint-Maximin didn’t complete 90 minutes for Newcastle.
The Frenchman had an ineffective game against Crystal Palace as he moved back to playing alongside Callum Wilson upfront after returning to the wing against Tottenham.
The 24-year-old lost possession 20 times against the Eagles, which was more than any other Magpies player (SofaScore).
The former Nice man was replaced by Joelinton in the 81st minute despite Newcastle still searching for their first win of the season.
Saint-Maximin ineffective against Palace
Despite sitting second in the Premier League dribbling charts behind Adama Traore, the French Under-21 international unexpectedly failed to complete a solitary dribble at Selhurst Park.
That was the first time this season Newcastle’s number 10 had failed to complete at least one dribble in a match.
His previous lowest dribbling output for the season was two dribbles in the match against Leeds (WhoScored).
After two goals and three assists from his opening six Premier League games of the new season, Saint-Maximin has failed to register a goal or an assist in his last three games.
Hopefully Saint-Maximin’s dip in form is nothing more than a blip, but we need our mercurial star to be firing in tandem with strike partner Callum Wilson in order for us to climb the table.
Let’s hope Saint-Maximin is back to doing what he does best and tormenting defences when league leaders Chelsea come to St James’ Park on Saturday.
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