Newcastle United are in fine form right now.
With the Premier League potentially in line to be afforded five spots for Champions League football next season, Newcastle are in a brilliant position as things stand.
Indeed, their 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day saw Eddie Howe’s side move up to fifth, albeit the congested nature of the table means they are there only on goal difference.
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Still, when Howe’s side are in this kind of form, it’s hard to look past them. With no European football on the calendar this season, the full focus can go on domestic matters and that must be a dangerous prospect for all of those competing for similar berths.
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Key to their revival of late has been Sandro Tonali.
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United running during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Newcastle United and Brentford at St James’ Park on De…
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
The midfielder is looking worth the wait following last season’s betting ban and has provided balance to the engine room, finally building something of a partnership with Bruno Guimaraes.
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While Anthony Gordon’s finish for the first goal against Villa will undoubtedly take the headlines, BBC Sport pundit and former Lionesses star Ellen White noticed Tonali’s role in the build-up.
Tonali broke up a Villa attack in the opening few minutes, before freeing Guimaraes who later found Joelinton for the assist for Gordon’s strike.
Speaking to BBC Final Score, White hailed the interception – which underlined the Italian’s fantastic reading of the game – as “genius.”
“Eddie Howe put Sandro Tonali in that midfield six role and he intercepts the ball with a touch of genius,” said White.
Eddie Howe has been praised for his tactical change at Newcastle
Tonali hasn’t always seemed to have Howe’s full trust, albeit he was perhaps building his fitness back up again following such a long time out of football.
The Newcastle United manager, after all, was booed after taking Tonali off against Chelsea earlier this season.
Still, the former AC Milan star has now seemed to settle and the likes of Alan Shearer have been delighted to see him replace Guimaraes as the deeper midfielder, unlocking the Brazilian to move further forward.
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