Newcastle continued their strong run of form around Christmas, as Joelinton starred in a resounding win for the magpies.
Last season, the toon and the villans faced off in the first game of the season at St James Park. The result that day was 5-1 to the magpies, and it should have been similar on this occasion.
However, poor decision making in front of goal, and the occasional world-class save by Argentinian 'keeper' Emiliano Martinez kept the score line down.
Newcastle made two changes from the victory at Portland Road, as Joelinton and Kieran Trippier, came in for Joe Willock, and Tino Livramento, who is reportedly unwell.
Two minutes in, and Joelinton was already involved. Sandro Tonali, once again exceptional in the defensive midfield position, won possession on halfway, feeding the Brazilian. From there, the ball was shipped left, and Anthony Gordon, having taken a touch inside found the top corner.
For the second consecutive week therefore, the toon had scored within two minutes. The pressure remained high, and the game was stop start throughout the first half, with both teams struggling to find any sort of momentum.
However, tensions boiled over on the half an hour mark, with Jhon Duran, who has been in remarkable form for the Villans this year, involved in an incident with Newcastle defender Fabian Schar.
Schar originally did brilliantly to cut off Duran's run, and at first the resulting actions seemed nothing untoward. However, on replay, it appeared clear that the Columbian striker stamped on the Swiss defenders back.
It seemed accidental, but both referee Anthony Taylor and Video Assistant Referee Graham Scott deemed it enough to send the forward off, leaving the visitors with 10 men for the remainder of the game.
However, at first, the magpies appeared unable to make use of their advantage, struggling to break the defensive line in the 15 minutes that remained of the first half. Tonali came the closest, with Martinez making an exceptional save to tip the Italian's effort around the post
Newcastle fans with strong memories, would have drawn comparisons between this game, and when the toon played Liverpool, at St James Park last August, where the magpies were both a goal and a man up against their visitors at half time. There would be no such outcome on this occasion.
The home side came out firing during the second half, with three shots in the first 10 minutes. It was the fourth of the half that resulted in a much deserved second goal.
Bruno Guimaraes was the orchestrator, with his defence splitting pass finding an onside Jacob Murphy, who was able to pick out Alexander Isak for an open goal, meaning the Swede forward has scored in five consecutive Premier League games. A moment of individual quality in an otherwise poor attacking display.
Somehow, the scoreline remained 2-0 until stoppage time. After 65 minutes, the toon once again won the ball high up the pitch, and after Joelinton's shot was blocked, Murphy somehow crashed his volley onto the crossbar, before Isak's shot was high and wide.
Just a few minutes later, the mapgies were denied yet again, this time by the offside flag. Once again the midfield trio won possession, as the ball landed on Isak's feet. The Swede fed Murphy, who cut past Pau Torres, before unselfishly squaring back to Isak, who was in an offside position, as Martinez rushed out.
After this, the game became end to end. A flurry of substitutions from both sides changed the dynamic of the game, and the toon appeared vulnerable to both counter-attacks and set pieces.
Martin Dubravka, filling in for the injured Nick Pope, appeared slightly unsettled under the high ball, which will not feed the Newcastle fans and staff with confidence before the Carabao Cup semi final with set-piece specialists Arsenal.
Just after the 80th minute, substitute Harvey Barnes came close to adding to the score, as his far-post volley was cleared off-the line, before the resulting clearance hit Guimaraes, before deflecting off Lucas Digne and into the goal. However, the goal was ruled out after it was determined it hit Guimaraes's arm in an unnatural position.
It was left for Joelinton to finish the game off. In a game, where his physicality and brute force was key to bullying the villans midfield, it was a touch of class to ensure the three points would remain on Tyneside.
Amadou Onana's tired pass found the Brazilian 25 yards out, and after driving into the penalty box, he was able to cut into his right foot, and similar to Gordon's goal over an hour and a half earlier, he picked out the top right corner to seal another magnificent afternoon for the magpies.
Newcastle (4-3-3)
GK - Martin Dubravka - 6.5
Yet again, the Slovakian was relatively untested, forced into just one save, from Digne's free kick. In possession, he appears less nervy than Pope, and demands a sense of calmness, in contrast to Pope's more frantic nature. With Arsenal on the horizon, working on set pieces would appear crucial to ensure the gunners do not weave their corner magic once again.
RB - Kieran Trippier - 6.5
Recalled to the starting eleven due to Livramento's illness, the 34 year old was solid but unremarkable in his role. Facing up against Morgan Rogers, the wing-back rolled back the years to ensure the clean sheet remained intact. With over 50 completed passes, Trippier was also busy going forward, despite not being able to complete a successful cross.
CB - Fabian Schar - 7.5
Despite being in the twilight of his career, the Swiss defender is still performing better than ever. After swiftly putting the Duran incident behind him, Schar's ball playing ability continues to shine with over 70 passes, and almost 90 touches of the ball. The defender also impressed against both Duran and Ollie Watkins, proving how much he still has to offer despite his age.
CB - Dan Burn - 7.5
An almost ever-present in the Newcastle team this season, the 201cm defender was once again faultless, in helping the toon record a third consecutive clean sheet. With similar ball-playing numbers to Schar, the pair compliment each other perfectly, and Howe has a key decision to make regarding the return of Sven Botman following ACL reconstruction.
LB - Lewis Hall - 8
Having started the season as heavily contested first choice left back, the 20 year old has made the position his own, and looks set to retain his place in the England squad, for years to come. Another exceptional performance for the Englishman at St James Park, only misplacing two passes, while not giving anything away defensively.
CM - Bruno Guimaraes - 8.5
The Brazilians shift towards the right side of midfield has proved revolutionary in recent weeks. His performance against the villans further proved this. His through ball towards Murphy for the second goal was world-class, and while his passing was excellent overall, he should also have had an assist, if not for a remarkable save from Martinez.
CM - Sandro Tonali - 8
Struggling for form after his return from the gambling ban that kept him out of football for 10 months, the Italian has found his rhythm in a reshuffled midfield three. On this occasion, the former AC Milan player dictated proceedings, and despite occasional untidiness in his passing, he was monstrous in duels, and continues to look at home in the North-East.
CM - Joelinton - 9
In a season where the Brazilian has struggled to build constant strong form, this was comfortably his best performance of the season. Involved in goals in the first two minutes, and the final few minutes, his action-packed display caught the eye of a packed crowd, winning almost everything in the air, while ensuring Newcastle maximised ball retention in the midfield.
RW - Jacob Murphy - 6
Murphy has been in spectacular form in recent weeks, but left a lot to be desired against the villans. Losing the ball on constant occasions, his assist for Isak casted over the performance, which was summed up by his glaring miss from 6 yards out, as he volleyed against the crossbar. The right-wing position remains a key target for Howe and the PIF in January, and this performance proved why.
ST - Alexander Isak - 7
While Isak made it five consecutive Premier League games on the score-sheet, he was not at his best against a strong defensive partnership of Ezri Konsa and Torres. Losing the ball on fifteen occasions, and winning only 25% of his ground duels, the Swede appeared to be tired when out of possession, but another goal takes him to 12 for the season, and with huge potential to rise.
LW - Anthony Gordon - 9
Gordon set the tone with a stunning finish with less than two minutes on the clock, and never looked back. His passing, especially the cross pitch switches to find Trippier or Murphy created a different angle of attack, while his direct approach caused Matty Cash heaps of trouble. More of these performances will please incoming England manager Thomas Tuchel, as the left-wing position still remains up for grabs.
Substitutes
Matt Targett (79) - 6
His first game for the magpies since the Carabao Cup game against Manchester United at Old Trafford last year, the defender was solid on the ball, but vulnerable when defending. Ensured the win however, in a very unnatural position.
Harvey Barnes (79) - 6
Barnes has been relegated back to the bench in recent weeks, but was busy when on the ball against the villans. and was unlucky not to score despite finding himself in the six yard box.
Joe Willock (79) - 6.5
Always likely to drop back down to the bench with the return of Joelinton, Willock brought energy and a very direct approach in the last fifteen minutes. Needs to make sure he remains injury-free, as he is a very useful bench option in open games.
Lewis Miley (90+3) - N/A
Will Osula (90+3) - N/A
