Newcastle Top Performers vs. Sheffield: Matt Ritchie
Matt Ritchie stepped up for Newcastle United yesterday vs. Sheffield United.
Sunday’s 3-0 victory was a great way for Newcastle United to return to Premier League play after three months off. There were positive performers all around the pitch for the Magpies, including Man of the Match, Allan Saint-Maximin. In addition to the Frenchman, Newcastle United’s other winger also played a starring role.
Playing opposite Saint-Maximin, Matt Ritchie stepped up in a big way for the Magpies. In the first half, he forced Dean Henderson into a save with a powerful shot on frame from distance.
He provided the assist, partially gifted by a defensive error, on ASM’s opening goal after driving forward from the midfield.
Not long after, Ritchie was able to add the insurance goal. Again, he was able to push the ball towards the area and fire a blast that gave Henderson no chance of stopping. It was a well-struck ball and the type of shot that he can provide at any time. He did well on both the right and left sides.
According to FBRef.com, Ritchie completed 73.5% of his passes and had 43 touches. He finished with three total shots, all of which went on target.
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Newcastle United are lucky to have the 30-year-old veteran winger back to full fitness after Hamza Choudhury took him out with a dirty tackle in August. You can always count on Matt Ritchie to bring high-energy and high-effort in each match, no matter if he’s playing on the wing or wing-back, but it’s a huge boost when he can combine those characteristics with production.