Miguel Almiron looked back to his best even without his first Newcastle goal

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All the talk after Newcastle’s win over Crystal Palace was about Miguel Almiron scoring his first Toon goal.

It’s been a long wait for the Paraguayan. After an incredible start in black and white, the pressure to score his first goal seemed to increase week by week. It seemed like he was doomed not to score, earning a lot of critics along the way.

But Almiron silenced all the doubters against Palace, netting the winner in the 83rd minute. Could this be the start of a golden run in front of goal for the speedster?

Almiron goal was the cherry on top of a great performance

Regardless of his goal, Almiron looked back to his absolute best on Saturday. At times this season he’s been too eager to impress, rushing things and failing to make the right decision.

But against Palace, his composure was back. He played in a different role, on the left of the midfield three, and it appeared to suit him. Almiron is at his best on the left, despite Steve Bruce preferring to use him on the right for most of the season.

Throughout the game on Saturday, Almiron found space on the left, helping Paul Dummett out whenever he could to try and create chances and give Newcastle the lead. He just looks so much more comfortable on that side of the pitch.

He’s a very one-footed player, which sees him run into a lot of traffic when playing on the right. But on the left he can hit the touchline and try and find a teammate.

Even if he hadn’t scored the winner, fans would have been toasting a fine performance from Almiron against Palace.

With Allan Saint-Maximin out for a while, there is real pressure on Almiron’s shoulders to be the creative force in black and white. With the confidence of a goal and playing in a more natural position, he isn’t going to buckle under that pressure.