There was so much to admire about Newcastle’s win at Everton

It might seem odd to say someone who has played 60 times in a Newcastle shirt had a ‘coming of age’ performance in United’s 4-1 victory over Everton on Saturday night. But then, Lewis Miley is still only 19 years old.

The Geordie midfielder was handed a big chance at the Hill Dickinson Stadium and not only rose to the occasion, but was possibly Newcastle’s best player on the pitch in what was a colossal performance.

There were star men all over in green shirts, but on a day when United had to stay disciplined for large periods of the first half, and then use the ball well when they took possession, Miley stood out as the leading example of the gameplan.

The fact they went into at the break 3-0 ahead tells you all you need to know about the success of Eddie Howe’s strategy.

So much of that was down to Miley, who glided through the midfield battle in a display with belied his young age.

Of course, he has so much experience behind him that we shouldn’t be surprised at his ability to impose himself on a game.

But perhaps this was the first time, at least against Premier League oppostion, when Miley really ran the show.

Sandro Tonali will no doubt return to the side when Tottenham come to St James’ Park on Tuesday night, and rightly so, but there is no guarantee it will be Miley who makes way.

While his talents have been beyond doubt for some time now, another United star took his chance to show what he can do. Step forward Anthony Elanga.,

We’ve seen flashes from the Swede, most notably in the 4-0 win at Union SG, but this was easlily he best performance in a league game since his switch from Nottingham Forest in the summer.

A menace throughout, it was Elanga’s first-minute run which won the corner that led to Malick Thiaw’s opening goal, and he was a creative threat and outlet in a display full of energy and creativity.

It’s no coincidence that United’s improvement has come with the return to the side of Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento. I wrote before the Man City game that they had the potential to change everything, and the evidence is pretty clear.

It’s no secret that United have looked a far more potent attacking threat with their energetic young full-backs in the side, nor that Elanga was able to be far more effective with Livramento in support, offering overlaps and security.

No one, least of all Eddie Howe, will get carried away with so much work left to do, but the signs are there now for United to kick on. After all, this was a starting XI without Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Yoane Wissa.

Miley and Elanga – and Harvey Barnes before them – have raised the bar. Now it’s up to others to respond. And thats a very healthy position for Newcastle United to be in.