Match Overview:
Newcastle United (1) 1-1 (1) Manchester City
Premier League – St James’ Park
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Key Performance: Lewis Hall
In the lead-up to Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City, many expected Eddie Howe to opt for the defensively solid Lloyd Kelly at left-back. However, Howe took a chance on Lewis Hall, and the 20-year-old delivered arguably his best performance in black and white to date.
Challenges Faced:
•Facing Bernardo Silva: Hall’s task was far from easy, facing one of the Premier League’s best attackers in Bernardo Silva. Yet, the young full-back kept Silva quiet throughout the match. Even when Savinho, a £33m summer signing for City, was introduced late in the game to break down Newcastle’s defense, Hall remained solid.
•Limited Opportunities: Hall has not had a clear run at making the left-back position his own, sharing starting duties with Kelly in recent weeks. After a difficult start against Southampton on the opening weekend, Hall was replaced by Kelly for subsequent matches. Saturday’s game against City provided Hall a crucial opportunity to cement his place in the team.
•Tactical Adaptation: Hall also had to adapt to Newcastle’s tactical shift during the game. Howe’s decision to alter the defensive setup required Hall to be pivotal in his positioning and understanding of the new system.
Defensive Strength:
Hall not only neutralized Silva but also went toe-to-toe with Erling Haaland during moments in the game, showing maturity beyond his years. His assured display reflected his defensive capability, and if he can find consistency, he could become a mainstay in the team. He remains a favorite among the Newcastle fanbase, and performances like this will only strengthen that bond.
Manager’s Praise:
Eddie Howe spoke highly of Hall’s performance after the game:
“I’m really pleased with Lewis today because it’s a big challenge. It was really interesting to see him adapted to that battle. I thought defensively he was very good, his positioning, his understanding because, again, tactically today we did something slightly different with our back line and he was pivotal to that. We can get him involved in the final third more so there’s areas to still improve but he’s got a very bright future and he continues to develop.”
Conclusion:
Hall’s performance in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City showed his potential and growth as a defender. Facing a world-class attack and keeping them at bay for much of the match will give him and the team confidence moving forward.
