JOELINTON went from zero to hero after recovering from one of the misses of the season to become the toast of the Tyne.
Having waited 10 months for a league goal, the Brazilian’s Newcastle career looked destined to be mocked forever after a shocking first-half miss.
Joelinton ended his goal drought to score Newcastle’s thirdCredit: Reuters
It was just Joelinton’s second Premier League goal of the seasonCredit: Reuters
But having been left in a heap on the floor after tripping himself up with the goal gaping, Joelinton recovered to virtually secure safety for Newcastle.
While many had given up on the £40million summer signing, Steve Bruce has doggedly backed his man.
The Magpies manager hoped lockdown had given him time to reflect on what it takes to be Newcastle’s number nine – and with his first league goal since August, the floodgates could now open.
Allan Saint-Maximin had given Newcastle the lead after 55 minutes, five minutes after the Blades’ John Egan was sent off.
And Matt Ritchie had made it two 14 minutes later, drilling past Dean Henderson from the top of the box.
It was Newcastle’s biggest win of the season and leaves them a comfortable-looking 11 points off the drop with eight games to go.
In an eerie St James’ Park, there was little draped around to cover the 52,000 seats – save for a few extra Sports Direct signs.
The Magpies soon found their feet though, with Ritchie – audible from Sunderland the way he berates his team-mates– forcing Dean Henderson into a smart save from 25-yards.
Joelinton, 23, had the best chance of the first-half but somehow scuffed a shot and tripped over himself with the goal gaping.
The ever-lively Saint-Maximin turned out of trouble deep in his own half and played in Miguel Almiron.
The Paraguayan fed the Brazilian, but one-on-one he ended strewn across the ground wishing the ground swallowed him up after trying to open his body and curl into the bottom corner.
The Blades controlled territory but lacked a killer instinct, with Billy Sharp’s volley over the bar the best they could muster in the opening 45.
And their task was made doubly difficult after Egan was given his marching order after 50 minutes.
The centre-back and Joelinton were given first-half yellows after a scuffle- and the ex-Sunderland academy man was shown red after holding the Brazilian back when through on goal.
And they were made to pay five minutes later by Saint-Maximin – who celebrated by taking the knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Ritchie broke down the left but his ball in should have easily been dealt with by Stevens. But the wing-back somehow missed it, leaving the flamboyant winger to drill past Henderson.
Saint-Maximin pounced on Stevens’ error to open the scoringCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
Matt Ritchie rifled home Newcastle’s secondCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Saint-Maximin was superb throughout the contestCredit: Reuters
Sharp had a great chance to level up straight after but headed well wide – and the game was over after 69 minutes, with Ritchie getting his first of the season.
The Scot couldn’t believe his luck as nobody closed him down so after getting to the edge of the box he let fly, with Henderson left rooted.
And Joelinton finally ended his 10-month goal drought after 78 minutes, poking home Miguel Almiron’s cross in front of an empty Gallowgate End.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
