Newcastle played a 4-2-4 tight in the midfield with Tonali advanced and Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes in front of the defense. Although Newcastle managed to win this match with a three-goal difference the formation Eddie Howe chose to respond 1v1 the lines of PSG, probably was not the right one.
They defended tight though and pressed high up the pitch, a decision that brought success and did not allow PSG to create from the back.
Average Player Positions
Nick Pope had a match where he could not do much to stop the shoots of PSG because their greatest chances ended wide. Dembele, Vitinha, Mbappe, and CO. were not able to shot in the target. He could do nothing in the goal of Lucas Hernandez and his overall performance was good.
His rating is 7.1.
Kieran Trippier was clinical in this game. His meters were effective and the assist he provided in the third goal for Longstaff was a masterpiece in this game for him.
His rating is 7.5.
Jamal Lascelles defended well in the center and covered Trippier for the majority of the game. The goal he conceded in his position could have been avoided, but besides that, he had a great performance. Also in the build-up, Lascelles could cover more and do the easy passes at the right intensity to not overload with too much responsibility Longstaff and Guimaraes.
His rating is 7.3.
Fabian Schar’s performance was the best of the evening and his positioning as the last defender on the pitch gave him and the squad so much confidence and security to play, but at the same time allowed him to score in the last minute.
His rating is 8.2.
Dan Burn was positioned wide on the left side to be able to combine with Antony Gordon and defend Ousmane Dembele. This was brave because his opponent’s speed could harm him and Newcastle. He did well in both phases and his performance including the second goal completed a great night for him.
His rating is 7.4.
Sean Longstaff had a difficult role as a box-to-box midfielder and the fact he was positioned so well and did not allow anything in the midfield made him one of the protagonists of the win. The goal scored in the 50th minute sealed the game for Newcastle.
His rating is 7.5.
Bruno Guimaraes did so well in the build-up moving towards Jamal Lascelles and alternating with Sean Longstaff. He received a yellow for pushing Manuel Ugarte in the last minute of the second half, but in the build-up and in quick transitions his performance was at high levels.
His rating is 7.2.
Miguel Almiron on the right side had some decisive touches including the first goal in the the first half. He had the initiative with the first shot in the 14th minute and scored in the 17th. He was injured and subbed in the 71st.
His rating is 7.3.
Alexander Isak. His positioning in the center of the attack made him a target and the injury he had in the 39th minute did not prevent him from having an intense game.
His rating is 7.4.
Sandro Tonali’s positioning in the left side of the attack, but also in near Gordon and Burn gave him the chance to create more and be more offensive at the same time.
His rating is 7.1.
Anthony Gordon was positioned on both sides of the midfield and he had that extra energy to start attacking from the defensive and the offensive position on the left side. He outplayed Hakimi and was so intense at the same time.
His rating is 7.8.
Substitutions
Elliot Anderson entered for Sandro Tonali in the 65th minute and had a more defensive position and defended well to not allow PSG a lot of space. Although PSG had their shooting chances and could have scored in the last minute of the game, they were not accurate enough.
His rating is 6.8.
Jacob Murphy replaced the injured Miguel Almiron and had a good match covering behind and being able to keep possession in the midfield.
His rating is 6.7.
Matt Target had a couple of minutes on the field replacing Gordon and defended well not allowing Dembele to pass him, doubling Burn in the defence.
His rating is 6.5.
The coach
Eddie Howe put some motivation on the team that made them score at every chance they had. This was a great night for Newcastle and the fact they are in first place is his credit.
His rating is 7.7.