Harry Redknapp explains why he’s picked out this particular Newcastle United stand out

4 days ago 54

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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 is one stand out Newcastle United player.

A player who in Harry’s opinion contributed so much to the battering of Leicester City.

Harry Redknapp explaining why he chose this Newcastle United star amongst his Premier League team of the week:

Jordan Pickford must be in the side. Yet again I’ve got to ask, where would Everton be without this him? Season after season, he delivers for his side, and he was terrific against Arsenal. That was such a great point for them.

Djed Spence came into the side in what was his first competitive start for Tottenham, he was superb. He set up the opener and was heavily involved throughout the game. He shifted over to the left later in the game and looked decent there too, Ange Postecoglou is bound to have been impressed by that performance.

I thought Jarrad Branthwaite was superb against Arsenal. I know people will point to Arsenal’s lack of goal threat right now, but he was so solid. He and James Tarkowski really do form a good pairing and physically, good luck getting the better of them.

Not for the first time this season, I’m picking Nikola Milenkovic. He must be one of the signings of the summer, what an impact he’s made to that Nottingham Forest defence. Obviously, he got another goal at the weekend to go with the one he got against Manchester United, he’s a real threat at set pieces. I do think Emiliano Martinez should have done better for that goal, but I’ll let him off, what an unbelievable save that was earlier in the game!

Antonee Robinson was brilliant against Liverpool, he was probably the best player on the pitch. His energy and speed are just ridiculous, and he combined that with two very nice assists. I’m not sure there’s a better left-back in the league right now, he’s getting better and better.

My Player of the Week this week is Amad Diallo. It’s been a difficult season for Manchester United, but he has been a shining light in recent weeks and was brilliant against Manchester City. What a fantastic first touch that was for his winner, he deserved that and let’s not forget, he won the penalty too. This lad’s just electric on the ball but he works his socks off too and is always a threat, always trying to make things happen.

Heung-Min Son was terrific, but I’m picking James Maddison from Tottenham. As bad as Southampton were in that first half, I thought Spurs were brilliant. He was superb, and he took his goals so well, particularly that second. I just wish we’d see this more often from Spurs!

He might not be the flashiest player in the league, but Will Hughes does an underrated job in that Crystal Palace midfield. He keeps the ball well, breaks the play up and is always nice and composed in there. I thought he was excellent in what was such a great win for the club.

Elliot Anderson is really beginning to star for Nottingham Forest. He was head and shoulders the best player in the park against Aston Villa, he did a little bit of everything in the heart of midfield. I know Newcastle didn’t really want to sell him in the summer and you can see why, he looks like he could be a top midfielder.

He’s taken a little bit of time to really find his feet at Crystal Palace, but Ismaila Sarr was brilliant at the weekend. His two goals were taken very well and that second in particular showed exactly what he is about. He showed so much pace and strength to break forward but then showed some nice composure at the end of it.

I pick Alexander Isak all the time but no wonder, he’s such a top, top striker. He got one and created another against Leicester, and he could have had three or four. I think right now, he’s probably the best striker in the Premier League.

Newcastle 4 Leicester 0 – Saturday 14 December 3pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Murphy 30, 60 Bruno 47 Isak 50

Leicester:

Possession was Newcastle 60% Leicester 40%

Total shots were Newcastle 27 Leicester 4

Shots on target were Newcastle 11 Leicester 1

Corners were Newcastle 5 Leicester 2

Touches in the box Newcastle 53 Leicester 9

Newcastle team v Leicester:

Dubravka, Livramento (Trippier 65), Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Bruno (Longstaff 65), Joelinton, Murphy (Barnes 65), Isak (Osula 73), Gordon (Willock 81)

Unused Subs:

Vlachodimos, Targett, Almiron, Kelly

(Newcastle 4 Leicester 0 – Match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players – Read HERE)

(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Very interesting on Newcastle United after win v Leicester – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 4 Leicester 0 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 4 Leicester 0 – If his next outing proves just as easy, United should be playing in the League Cup semi-finals again – Read HERE)

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Wednesday 18 December – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)

Saturday 21 December – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)

Thursday 26 December – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon

Monday 30 December – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 4 January – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports