NORWICH: Eddie Howe wishes he could field a team full of Joelintons after a Brazil-inspired Newcastle United victory at Norwich City.
A surprise pick as a forward, Joelinton netted the opening two goals of the game at Carrow Road, before compatriot Bruno Guimaraes made it four goals in black and white with a smart second-half finish.
Joelinton has been used in a number of roles since arriving in a $52 million deal in 2019, with No.9, wide forward, No.10 and most recently No.8 in midfield on his resume.
Howe, though, is keen not to pigeonhole the player in any particular role — but he does know the player’s versatility is a real asset to United’s squad.
“I think Joe can play anywhere in those front positions and obviously as an attacking midfielder as well. I’d never say that’s his position and that’s where he’s going to stay,” said Howe following the 3-0 win.
“Today, he showed his versatility and importance of his role in the team. He can play as a center forward or a second striker, he can play wide or in an eight, so it’s great to have players like that. I wish I had a few more.”
The summer is likely to see United dip into the market for yet more players of the ilk of Joelinton and Bruno, and although Howe is refusing to be drawn on any specific plans, fellow Brazil international Lucas Paqueta is understood to be on the club’s radar.
Asked whether more Brazilians were on the menu at the Magpies ahead of next season and why Newcastle’s current duo have proven so valuable, Howe said: “It’s difficult to say if it’s their nationality. It’s them as people.
“The two lads are a joy to work with. You’re right, they do have that inner strength. They’re both great people, very welcoming and they’ve become integral to the squad already.
“They’ve very much settled in and are very popular in the dressing room. They do have a slight flamboyance in the way they play,” Howe added.
“I’m delighted with both and long may that continue.”
For more than 10 minutes after the final whistle, and long after most had left the ground, Joelinton stood, arms aloft, fists clenched saluting the traveling fans, who sang his name with passion.
It was a good moment for the player on his 100th Premier League appearance, and one not lost on Howe.
“I’m really pleased for Joelinton on his 100th appearance,” said the head coach.
“You saw the scenes at the end there — brilliant moment for him especially knowing the journey he’s had at the club. A great day for us.”
On the win itself, which saw Newcastle climb to ninth in the Premier League table, Howe said: “It was a tight game until we scored the first goal. We weren’t particularly happy with how we started but once we scored, I thought we showed a different level in our play. We scored some great goals today.”
Howe full of praise for Joelinton after match-winning performance at Norwich
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Howe full of praise for Joelinton after match-winning performance at Norwich
- A surprise pick as a forward, Joelinton netted the opening two goals of the game at Carrow Road
- “I think Joe can play anywhere in those front positions and obviously as an attacking midfielder as well,” said Howe following the 3-0 win
NEOM concede at the death for the second week in a row as Al-Taawoun salvage late draw
- NEOM narrowly lost to Al-Nassr 1-0 last weekend after Mohamed Simakan scored an injury-time winner
- Al-Taawoun followed up with a late equalizer by Mohammed Al-Kuwaykibi to deny them three points
RIYADH: The Saudi Pro League returned for Matchday 26, with the table beginning to take its final shape as the season enters its final quarter. The title contenders kick off on Friday and Saturday, but Thursday’s action focused on a clash between upper mid-table sides NEOM and Al-Taawoun, alongside three relegation-battlers — Al-Najma, Damac and Al-Kholood — attempting to improve their standings.
In Tabuk, NEOM played out a 2-2 draw with Al-Taawoun, this season’s surprise package under the returning Pericles Chamusca. After a brilliant start to the campaign that saw them spend much of the season in the top four, a poor run of just one win in their last eight games has followed.
Al-Taawoun’s late equaliser was vital in their bid to maintain a spot in the top five. With Al-Ittihad lurking just three points behind and yet to play this weekend, every point matters for the Wolves of Qassim. Regardless, it has become a painful second half of the season for Chamusca’s side, as they now sit 12 points behind the top four.
After a heroic performance from Luis Maximiano against Al-Nassr last weekend, NEOM were unfortunate to leave Riyadh empty-handed after conceding at the death. There were still plenty of positives from the defeat, as Christophe Galtier’s squad appear to have finally hit second gear this season.
Calm and collected against Al-Nassr, they repeated the same approach against Al-Taawoun. Knowing their opponents thrive on space in the transition, NEOM prevented them from accessing wingers Marin Petkov and Biel, leaving star striker Roger Martinez isolated for most of the match.
Amadou Koné and Abdoulaye Doucouré did their part to disrupt the centre of Al-Taawoun’s block, with the former driving forward and the latter drifting in between the lines to create the opener. In the 23rd minute, Al-Taawoun’s defence were pulled apart as Luciano Rodríguez met Doucouré’s precise through ball to slot home.
NEOM maintained their composure throughout the match, but it took a wonder strike from Martinez to bring the visitors level in the 70th minute, the Colombian producing a superb strike from distance.
It only took six minutes for NEOM to respond. Saïd Benrahma broke down the Al-Taawoun defence once again, releasing Alexandre Lacazette for a powerful finish to restore the hosts’ lead.
Despite the strong performance from NEOM, they ultimately fell victim to another late setback. Substitute Mohammed Al-Kuwaykibi surged down the flank in stoppage time before cutting inside and curling a precise finesse shot beyond Maximiano to salvage a point.
Elsewhere, Damac continued their resurgence under Fabio Carrille with a 3-1 victory over Al-Najma, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table. The win moves Damac six points clear of Al-Riyadh in the relegation zone, while Al-Najma sit 14 points from safety with eight matches remaining.
Meanwhile, Al-Hazem secured a late victory after Abdulaziz Al-Dwehe netted an 86th-minute winner in a 2-1 triumph over Al-Kholood. It was a frustrating night for the Saudi Pro League’s all-time leading scorer Omar Al-Somah, who missed a penalty for the winners in the 60th minute.
Saudi Pro League action resumes on Friday, with Al-Fayha hosting Al-Ettifaq and Al-Riyadh welcoming Al-Ittihad at 10:00pm. The headline fixture of the evening — kicking off at the same time — sees second-placed Al-Ahli travel to face fourth-placed Al-Qadsiah. Victory for Al-Ahli against tough opposition would strengthen their title push, while defeat for Al-Qadsiah could effectively end their unlikely championship hopes.
