Newcastle United were not awful against Tottenham Hotspur, but there were moments when the team fell back into bad habits, and certain players simply failed to rise to the occasion.
It was a night that should have brought three points, especially after the level of control Newcastle had for long stretches at St James’ Park. Instead, they walked away with a 2-2 draw that felt more like a defeat, especially after twice taking the lead and giving it away through poor decisions and sloppy play.
For Eddie Howe, the most painful part will be knowing that the game was there for the taking. Tottenham were chasing shadows for large spells, and Newcastle’s pressing, energy and attacking combinations should have been enough to kill the game off.
But football is cruel to teams that don’t take advantage of their dominance, and Spurs punished every lapse in concentration. While the result will frustrate the fans, it is Howe who must now look closely at the individuals who let the team down, and Joelinton will surely be at the top of that list.
Joelinton remains one of the most frustrating figures in this Newcastle squad. Just over a week ago he produced a brilliant performance in the win over Manchester City, playing with aggression, discipline and confidence.
It was exactly the kind of display that made supporters believe he had turned a corner. His physical presence, energy and tactical awareness were outstanding against the champions, and many praised him for proving his critics wrong. Even against Everton, he held his own and contributed well.
But then came Tottenham, and once again Joelinton slipped backwards. It was the kind of display that reminded everyone why his inconsistency has become such a problem.
He was careless on the ball, slow in possession, and wasteful in moments when Newcastle needed calm and control in the middle of the pitch. Every misplaced pass added pressure to his teammates, and every poor touch made it harder for Newcastle to build attacks or protect their lead.
At 29 years old and having cost the club £40 million, it is fair to expect more. His physical qualities are clear, and his tactical understanding is often excellent, but technical weaknesses continue to drag down his overall contribution.
When the game becomes frantic or when the opposition pushes harder, he often loses composure. That unpredictability is now becoming a liability for Howe, who needs more reliability in midfield, especially with the number of important fixtures approaching.
If Howe decides it is time to take Joelinton out of the starting lineup, he has options. Joe Willock is eager to get back into a consistent rhythm, and Jacob Ramsey is pushing for minutes after his own return. But the most natural solution is the one already standing in front of Howe: Lewis Miley.
The 19-year-old has been one of Newcastle’s brightest sparks in recent weeks. Against Everton he played with maturity far beyond his age, and he kept his place against Tottenham because Howe trusted him.
That trust was rewarded. Miley showed composure in tight spaces, calmness under pressure and a keen understanding of how to move the ball quickly. His passing was sharp, his movement intelligent and he handled the physical side of the game far better than he did earlier in the season.
Miley is becoming stronger, more confident and far more aware of his role in the team. While Joelinton offers power and presence, Miley offers something Newcastle have been missing far too often this season: control. He knows how to keep the ball, how to dictate tempo and how to make smart decisions in high-pressure areas.
These are qualities that separate a good midfielder from an excellent one, and he is slowly proving he belongs at this level.
Many pundits speak highly of Newcastle’s midfield trio, but that trio has looked unbalanced whenever Joelinton’s technical flaws reappear. With Miley growing into his role and delivering consistent performances, the path forward feels obvious.
He brings calm where Joelinton brings chaos, and at a time when Newcastle need stability, Howe may have no choice but to turn to the academy star more often.
