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Harry Redknapp has picked his best 11 performers from the weekend’s action.
The Premier League team of the weekend that has most impressed him.
Included in his top 11 are two stand out Newcastle United players.
Players who in Harry’s opinion contributed so much to the away win at his old club Southampton.
Harry Redknapp explaining why he chose this Newcastle United duo amongst his Premier League team of the week:
What a massive, massive win that was for Leicester at Tottenham and I thought Foxes keeper Jakub Stolarczyk did well. To get a win away at some of these top clubs, you need your keeper to have a good game, and he certainly did. Saying that, I’m not sure Spurs are a top club at the minute!
Trent Alexander-Arnold was typically brilliant for Liverpool against Ipswich at the weekend. He got a trademark assist and was just superb all game. It’s been said a million times, but he is so classy on the ball and is such a threat. I’ve not seen many full backs like him.
That was such a massive win for Everton at Brighton and Jarrad Branthwaite was a rock at the back. It was hardly a classic match, but David Moyes’ men were solid and to be honest, Brighton didn’t really look like scoring. That was a big win for Moyes and I’m sure he’ll be delighted to have a centre-half of this quality on the books.
Speaking of games that weren’t classics, Fulham vs Manchester United certainly fits that bill! Harry Maguire was excellent in the game though and dealt with every ball that came his way. Raul Jimenez and then Rodrigo Muniz can be a handful, but I thought Harry was superb.
What a big win that was for Arsenal at Wolves and Riccardo Calafiori took his goal very well. I do like him; he’s a really classy defender. Obviously, he came on, scored the winner, and kept a clean sheet, not a bad sub. The less said about Myles Lewis-Skelly’s sending off the better!
Cody Gakpo has really improved of late and he’s becoming a firm fixture in Arne Slot’s side. He’s quite a unique player, he’s got great height, pace, and a real eye for goal. He got a couple more goals at the weekend and is making that left wing position at Liverpool his own.
Bournemouth were just fantastic at the weekend; I could have picked the entire XI! Tyler Adams must go in the midfield. I think he sometimes goes under the radar, but what a good footballer he is. He did a little bit of everything against Nottingham Forest, winning tackles, getting on the ball, getting two assists, it was a top performance from him.
Sandro Tonali is having a very good season for Newcastle. I loved his goal at the weekend, that’s what he’s all about. He showed great desire, energy and of course the quality at the end of it to tuck it away. There are few better midfields in Europe than Newcastle at the minute!
My Player of the Week can only be one man, Dango Ouattara! What a performance from him, he was unstoppable. He’s having to lead the line for Bournemouth with all these injuries and honestly, he looks a natural up there. He took his goals superbly and was such a threat. The Cherries are absolutely flying.
I thought Erling Haaland was excellent against Chelsea, he was a real handful. I don’t know what Robert Sanchez is thinking for his goal, but you see the pace, strength, and quality of Haaland there. City are beginning to click, just in time for their must-win Champions League tie, and Haaland is looking sharp.
Alexander Isak didn’t find the net against Bournemouth, but he was right back among the goals against Southampton. To be honest, I would have been shocked had he not scored but he took his goals well, his touch and finish for the first was excellent.
Manager of the Week – It feels like I’m picking him every week but how can it not be Andoni Iraola? What a result that was for the Cherries, just so impressive. I’m not sure there’s a manager in the league that’s doing a better job than him right now.
Southampton 1 Newcastle 3 – Saturday 25 January 2025 3pm
(Stats via BBC Sport)
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Isak 26 pen, 30 Tonali 51
Southampton:
Bednarek 10
Possession was Newcastle 47% (48%) Southampton 53% (52%)
Total shots were Newcastle 17 (7) Southampton 12 (4)
Shots on target were Newcastle 9 (5) Southampton 5 (2)
Corners were Newcastle 8 (5) Southampton 3 (0)
Touches in the box Newcastle 34 (18) Southampton 15 (3)
Newcastle team v Southampton:
Dubravka, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno (Miley), Murphy (Longstaff 90+3), Isak (Willock), Gordon (Almiron 88)
Unused subs:
Pope, Trippier, Botman, Osula, Kelly
(Absolutely appalling from this Sky Sports reporter at Southampton 1 Newcastle 3 – Zero respect – Watch HERE)
(Southampton 1 Newcastle 3 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)
(Southampton 1 Newcastle 3 – Back in the groove and 10 from 11 – Read HERE)
Newcastle United upcoming matches:
Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)
Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports (League Cup)
Saturday 8 February – Birmingham v Newcastle (5.45pm) BBC1 and BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)
Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)
Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports
Wednesday 26 February – Liverpool v Newcastle (8.15pm) TNT Sports
(Weekend of Saturday 1 March – NUFC will play in FA Cup fifth round if getting past Birmingham)
Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 15 March – Newcastle v Crystal Palace (3pm)
(Carabao Cup final is on Sunday 16 March, so the Palace match would be postponed if United get to the final)