‘Very clever’… Ally McCoist so impressed by what two Newcastle players did just before Joelinton scored tonight

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Ally McCoist was left impressed by two Newcastle United players in the buildup for Joelinton’s opener for the Magpies against AC Milan.

The Brazilian international fired the Magpies ahead in their final UEFA Champions League fixture with a thunderous volley from just inside the penalty box in the opening half.

It was quite an outstanding goal from Joelinton, who has continued to show why he is one of Newcastle’s most important players under Eddie Howe.

And speaking on TNT Sports, McCoist was full of praise for the roles Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento played in helping Joelinton put Newcastle ahead against Milan.

Indeed, it was one of the best goals the Brazilian international has ever scored for Newcastle, yet McCoist was right to highlight Gordon and Livramento’s roles in the build-up.

McCoist said: “I’ll tell you what, it all comes from Gordon going into that pocket because Calabria can’t go with him. What a hit. What a hit. Absolutely magic.

“So what happens there is Anthony Gordon can sense it, he goes into the pocket, he picks it up and hits it wide and Joelinton just fires it, smashes it into the top corner.

“What a goal. It’s just a brilliant goal all-round. But very clever play down the left-hand side involving Gordon and Livramento.”

Joelinton will be gutted with Newcastle’s result tonight

Joelinton has stepped up in a big way for Newcastle this season amid their ongoing injury crisis, yet tonight showed the 27-year-old’s real quality.

The midfielder was exquisite against an under-performing Milan side, which makes the loss tonight that more heartbreaking for Joelinton.

The ruthlessness of the Champions League showed it’s ugly teeth tonight, with Newcastle going from heading into the round of 16 to crashing out of Europe as a whole in just a few minutes.