Sandro Tonali was 10 months in the making during Newcastle United FIFA ban
Lee Ryder
4 – 5 minutes
Eddie Howe rejected talk that Sandro Tonali didn’t mean his Leazes End wonder strike – insisting he’s seen that sort of thing on the training ground before.
Last season fans were starved of such bright spots for Tonali as he sat in the stands serving a 10-month FIFA ban. But he has more than made up for it this season and Howe was not surprised when he uncorked a vintage against Brentford to win it for the Carabao Cup winners.
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The Italy international played a poker face last night when asked about his intentions on the goal and stated it was ‘70%’ cross. However, Howe’s reaction when told in the Press conference was one of surprise and insisted that nothing should tarnish the magic moment that kept Newcastle on track for the Champions League.
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Howe said: “I’ve seen him practising them in the last few weeks, actually, from that kind of angle. Let me say one thing about Sandro: he can hit a ball like no-one.
Newcastle United 2 Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Simon Bird shares his thoughts.
Newcastle United 2 Brighton and Hove Albion 1, Simon Bird shares his thoughts.
“When he strikes it, I fear for our goalkeepers’ wrists sometimes because he can hit it that hard, so I wouldn’t put it past him meaning that. It was a big moment in the game because we needed it.
“At that moment, the game was very much in the balance, so it’s a big moment in our season.”
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Tonali put in a sparkling display that had fans chanting his name for long periods during the 2-1 win over Brentford. After serving a 10-month ban last term for illegal betting, the real Tonali has stepped forward.
The ex-AC Milan star said he felt like a ‘new player’ again and Howe heaped praise on his technical ability. He said: “Technically, he’s an outstanding player.
“Sandro, the beauty of him, he doesn’t tend to try to do difficult things. Now the goal he scored against Brentford is incredibly difficult, but just in his general play, he makes good decisions, he doesn’t over-complicate the game.
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“Off both feet, he’s a very, very clever player, a very intelligent player and then when he’s shooting, he has the ability to hit balls from range. I get the privilege of seeing that every day and from distance, he does a lot of shooting and it’s something that I think he’ll continue to do. I think he does have goals in him.”
Howe also feels that Tonali’s change in position has been integral to the team’s fortunes this season. The head coach switched Bruno Guimaraes from a No 6 and dropped Tonali back a little from the No 8 slot.
He said: “I think we’ve seen a big uplift since he’s moved position. I think that was maybe a turning point in his career here. I think he looks a lot more comfortable in the position he’s playing now.”
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