Newcastle player who “turned things around but one who didn’t look interested”

Newcastle United’s FA Cup clash against Bromley provided an intriguing mix of performances across the squad. The match, which saw Newcastle secure victory, highlighted moments of brilliance and areas needing improvement. Here’s a detailed review of how the players performed during the encounter.

In goal, Martin Dubravka experienced a mixed outing. While he enjoyed support from the Gallowgate End, questions linger about his role in Bromley’s goal, which he could have handled better.

Kieran Trippier, donning the captain’s armband, delivered a subdued performance. Though solid in defensive duties, he lacked his usual attacking flair. Fabian Schar had a quiet afternoon after Bromley’s energetic start, maintaining composure without much challenge.

Kelland Watts, stepping into the defensive line, showcased physicality against Bromley’s players but almost handed the visitors an opportunity with a careless first-half pass.

On the left, Matt Targett seized his chance to impress. His purposeful attacking play created opportunities, including earning the penalty that gave Newcastle the lead. However, Sean Longstaff struggled to find rhythm in the first half.

Despite being off the pace, he showed determination, consistently attempting to push forward. The midfield standout was undoubtedly Lewis Miley, who overcame an initial mistake leading to Bromley’s goal. Miley redeemed himself with a stunning equalizer and emerged as a driving force in the midfield, showcasing maturity beyond his years.

Joelinton, though active in the first half, found it difficult to make significant inroads with his forward runs. Similarly, Miguel Almiron couldn’t impose himself on the game, struggling to influence proceedings both before and after halftime.

Upfront, Tino Osula had a quiet start but announced himself with a brilliant finish to open his Newcastle account. Harvey Barnes, in contrast, delivered a lackluster performance during his 45 minutes on the field, displaying minimal impact and appearing disengaged before being substituted at halftime.

The substitutes brought much-needed energy to the game. Anthony Gordon, replacing Barnes at the break, injected dynamism into Newcastle’s attack and confidently converted a penalty.

Bruno Guimaraes, also introduced at halftime, immediately pushed the team forward with his purposeful running, shifting momentum in Newcastle’s favor. Later substitutions, such as Lewis Hall and Sanusi Sanusi, contributed without exerting themselves too much, while Sandro Tonali made a late cameo.

Bromley, despite their underdog status, displayed moments of resilience. Their defense, anchored by Reynolds and Elerewe, held firm for large portions of the game, with occasional lapses. In midfield, Arthurs and Imray worked tirelessly, while Congreve showed flashes of quality before being substituted.

However, they lacked consistency in the final third, with Michael Cheek and other attackers failing to capitalize on opportunities. Bromley’s substitutions brought fresh legs but didn’t significantly alter the outcome.

The standout performer for Newcastle was undoubtedly Lewis Miley, whose resilience and skill defined his performance. After a shaky start, he took control of the midfield, scoring a brilliant equalizer and setting the tone for the team’s eventual dominance.

His display underscored his growing importance to Eddie Howe’s plans and hinted at a promising future for the young midfielder.

Overall, the match highlighted Newcastle’s depth and areas for improvement. While the win reinforced the team’s ambitions in the FA Cup, it also exposed vulnerabilities and the need for greater consistency, particularly from squad players fighting for regular starts. Eddie Howe will likely take away key lessons as the team prepares for tougher challenges ahead.