Newcastle United produced a statement performance with a 4-0 thrashing of Aston Villa that suggested they might just be genuine top-four contenders.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies are the form team in the division, having now taken 16 points from 18 on offer in October. No side in the top flight has done better since the last international break.
They remain fourth in the table after securing a third successive victory, having built on last weekend’s impressive 2-1 victory away to Tottenham.
They demonstrated grit and determination on that occasion, but showed their stylish side at St. James’ Park as they put Villa to the sword.
The visitors would have been in a buoyant mood as they arrived on Tyneside, having come into the match off the back of a 4-0 win at home to Brentford following the sacking of Steven Gerrard. New manager Unai Emery was not yet in charge, with caretaker boss Aaron Danks remaining in the dugout.
The first half was competitive and bitty after a series of injury stoppages, but Newcastle went into the break ahead after Callum Wilson converted a spot-kick, given for a handball by Ashley Young.
In the second half, Howe’s side took the game beyond Villa, with further goals from Wilson, Joelinton and Miguel Almiron. They created many more chances to win by a wider margin, too, and were twice denied by the woodwork.
“The lads really competed well. It was a bitty first half, very stop-start. Thankfully in the second half we were outstanding. That is up there with one of the best performances of the season,” Howe told Sky Sports.
“I’m really pleased for Callum [Wilson]. Penalties are never easy but he put it away well. He was at the heart of a lot of our good football.
“It was an outstanding finish by Miguel [Almiron]. We hope the Aston Villa keeper is OK. It didn’t help the game. Thankfully in the second half we were able to express ourselves better.
“Tonight I hope fans all enjoy themselves. We’re already looking forward to next week.”
Here are 11 impressive stats from a particularly impressive performance by Newcastle.
– Newcastle were utterly dominant. They registered 59.8% possession, 20 shots to Aston Villa’s three and seven on target to the visitors’ zero. Nick Pope didn’t make a single save.
– Almiron has now scored six goals in six games in the month of October. That’s two more Premier League goals than Jack Grealish has scored in his entire Manchester City career to date. Playing like Almiron.
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