Ole's lineup for this looked a bit weak... except we have PSG on Tuesday night. Once I remembered that, I thought he did well.
James isn't great, but in a 4-1 win over an EPL team, he started and played 76 minutes. He won't feature in Paris; his job was today and I'm good with that.
Fred and McTominay put in a great shift. Pogba will still start on Friday, and so might Matic, or van de Beek.
Mata was beautiful, a lot of folks' MOTM, but I don't see him starting in the CL. I still say he and Bruno are on the same wavelength. I'd like to see more of him, Bruno and VdB.
Bruno can be stopped. He can also work magic and he did.
Maguire was the big worry. Some thought he should be dropped. Many doubt his partnership with Lindelof. Yet Ole put him out there with the Captain's armband again. Lo and behold! A goal and a good defensive performance. Ole's man management has been one of his strong points from day one and this is a prime example. I do worry about Harry's hamstring, though.
Lindelof did some things. I think. We didn't allow another goal after 2', so something was right.
Felt sorry for Shaw, but he made up for it. He works better offensively from about 15 yards from the side, not right down it. If the midfielder moves to the right corner, or the winger stays there, he's much more effective.
AWB did most of the work on his goal and I'm pretty sure his intent was for Rashford to take it. Good defensive shift, too.
Rashford had an excellent match. Drew a penalty. Two assists. And the icing on the cake, giving me the score prediction bonus points and moving me second in the score prediction league.
DeGea had a good save. A really good save. Other than that, he kicked a few balls back into play when the line decided he should have it. I'm curious if he gets the nod for PSG or Ole goes with Henderson.
On the whole, I can overlook mistakes - they happen - and 4-1 is nothing to balk at no matter the opponent. Newcastle are now 2-1-2, smack in the middle of the table. They were at the level we put them.
For all the criticism of Ole's lineup and substitution habits, he picked a lineup that could rest probable PSG starters, hold a team within reach, and then sub in at opportune times fresh, better talent to take control and finish off the game. Three well deserved points.