ChronicleLive readers voted Alexander Isak as Newcastle United’s best player in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester City. Despite playing just 27 minutes, fans scored the Swede 6.7 out of 10.
Most of the pre-match talk centred around Isak once Eddie Howe named him on the bench for the Eastlands trip. Trusted lieutenant Callum Wilson was given the nod but fluffed a golden opportunity to equalise in the first half.
Shortly after his introduction, Isak skinned Manuel Akanji on the byline and calls will likely ramp up for him to start against Wolverhampton Wanderers next weekend. Jamaal Lascelles blocked out the noise to put in a respected performance at the Etihad Stadium.
READ MORE: Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle United: Missed chances and Pep Guardiola tactical switch cost Magpies
There were fears the skipper - starting only his second league game of the campaign - would prove a weakness in the backline but he kept 33-goal sensation Erling Haaland relatively quiet. Readers gave the 29-year-old a 6.4 rating - the second highest on the team.
However, supporters wasted no time in pointing the finger at striker Callum Wilson - who picked up an average score of just 3.7. Since returning from the World Cup, the Toon No 9 has only scored one goal.
That is Wilson’s only strike since October - a poor run stretching across 14 games in all competitions. His barren spell has only heightened the desire for Isak to be given a chance up front.
Elsewhere, Sean Longstaff (5.0), Miguel Almiron (5.1) and Dan Burn (5.2) also scored poorly for their efforts on Saturday. This is how ChronicleLive readers scored the Newcastle players following the 2-0 defeat.
- Alexander Isak 6.7
- Nick Pope 6.4
- Jamaal Lascelles 6.4
- Joe Willock 6.2
- Jacob Murphy 6.0
- Bruno Guimaraes 5.9
- Joelinton 5.9
- Sven Botman 5.9
- Allan Saint-Maximin 5.7
- Kieran Trippier 5.6
- Anthony Gordon 5.6
- Matt Targett 5.4
- Dan Burn 5.3
- Miguel Almiron 5.1
- Sean Longstaff 5.0
- Callum Wilson 3.7
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