Eddie Howe went as strong as possible when Newcastle faced Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, even with the huge Tyne-Wear Derby sitting just days away. There was no hint of rotation, no resting of stars, and no sign that Howe was willing to compromise.
He selected Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and the rest of his usual starters, hoping that a confident European performance would give his side momentum before the emotional trip to Sunderland.
But despite the strong lineup, Newcastle never truly looked in control. Their well-known struggles away from St James’ Park appeared again in a frustrating 2–2 draw, made worse when Bayer Leverkusen grabbed an equaliser in the 88th minute.
A result that could have lifted spirits instead became another reminder that the team’s consistency is still missing, especially on foreign soil.
Several players who have been reliable this season seemed completely off their usual level. Tonali, in particular, had one of the most forgettable performances since joining the club.
When Leverkusen moved the ball quickly before their late equaliser, Tonali jogged rather than pressed, and the lack of urgency stood out sharply. It was the type of moment that hurts managers, because it came at a time when leadership and energy were needed most.
Throughout the match, the Italian also kept losing possession. He gave the ball away eight times and never really found rhythm. Journalist Luke Edwards summed up the frustration perfectly, pointing out that Tonali is supposed to help calm games down in key moments, but instead played with a careless edge that put the team under unnecessary pressure.
Malick Thiaw also had a difficult night. The defender has been reliable since joining Newcastle, but this time he was far from composed. He was extremely lucky to avoid a red card early on after bringing down Patrick Schick, who would have been clean through on goal.
In duels, where Thiaw usually thrives, he struggled badly, losing three of his eight battles on the ground. Howe knows the Sunderland match will be heated, and performances like that will raise the question of whether Thiaw can be trusted in such an intense atmosphere.
Bruno Guimarães had an unlucky moment when he accidentally guided the ball into his own net, leaving Ramsdale helpless. But unlike others, he responded well and still controlled large spells of midfield play.
His five key passes showed his influence, and there is no doubt he keeps his place for the derby.
The same cannot be said for Joelinton, who continues to look like a shadow of the energetic powerhouse he once was. He went off injured on the hour mark, and even before limping off he had been struggling to impose himself.
His replacement, Lewis Miley, made an instant impact by scoring just 14 minutes after coming on. Many fans immediately claimed that Miley may have just secured a starting spot for the derby, and based on their performances, it’s hard to disagree.
Below is Joelinton’s performance in numbers, which paints a clear picture of a midfielder badly out of form:
| Stat | Joelinton |
|---|---|
| Minutes played | 60 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Touches | 33 |
| Shots | 1 |
| Accurate passes | 20/23 (87%) |
| Key passes | 0 |
| Total duels won | 2/9 |
| Source | Sofascore |
Looking at those numbers, it becomes obvious why he is under pressure. Joelinton used to be Newcastle’s symbol of fight and intensity, but on a night that demanded both, he won just two of his nine duels.
That statistic alone would worry Howe, but the bigger issue is how invisible he was for long stretches of play. He managed only 33 touches in an hour on the pitch, fewer than Ramsdale, who finished the match with 39 touches despite being a goalkeeper.
His Premier League form this season has also dipped worryingly. Thirteen appearances, zero goals, and zero assists is not the return Howe needs from someone previously considered undroppable.
Newcastle need midfield presence, energy, and courage in the middle of the park—qualities Joelinton once showed every week but now struggles to display.
With Miley scoring, playing with confidence, and eager to face Sunderland, this feels like the perfect moment for Howe to freshen the midfield. Dropping Joelinton is not just possible—it now makes complete sense.
Changes are expected across the pitch, but swapping Joelinton for Miley appears the simplest, most logical adjustment as Newcastle prepare for one of their most important matches of the season. The derby demands intensity, composure, and players who are fully in form, and on current evidence, Joelinton no longer fits that description.
