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The current season has proven to be one of the most unexpected and controversial campaigns for Newcastle United in recent times- both on and off the pitch. Following Steve Bruce's appointment, the Magpies were tipped to be relegated by the end of the season, considering their manager's past records in the Premier League.
However, a few last-minute goals and individual moments of brilliance have helped the club to survive one more season in the top tier while enjoying a good run in the FA Cup.
Despite all those performances on the pitch, it was Newcastle United's takeover saga which caught the headlines in the media as it is continued to be scrutinised by many personalities in the Premier League. While there are so many debatable points about the potential takeover, let us keep them aside for a while and have a quick look at five of the best moments enjoyed by the Magpies in the 2019-20 season.
5. Isaac Hayden's 90+4 winner against Chelsea
While both the teams seemed to settle for a point each, the quick-thinking of Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin earned Newcastle United a corner, which was initially cleared away by Willian. However, Saint-Maximin was quick to get to the loose ball and whipped in an inviting cross which was headed into the back of the net by Isaac Hayden.
This was the only goal for Hayden in the current season and it turned out to be a crucial one considering Newcastle United's battle for survival at the bottom. This game was another example of the importance of the quality of possession over quantity as Chelsea failed to score a single goal while enjoying nearly 70 % of possession.
4. Allan Saint-Maximin's winner against Oxford United
A game which Newcastle United should have won with ease needed an extra-time thunderbolt from their star signing to ensure their progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Goals from Sean Longstaff and Joelinton in the first half were cancelled out in the last 10 minutes as Oxford United pulled two goals out of nowhere. With the home fans cheering the League One side massively, it seemed like an underdog win was on the cards as they had momentum on their side.
However, Allan Saint-Maximin stepped up at the right moment for Newcastle United as he skipped past two challenges and unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box which flew past the goalkeeper into the back of the net. This goal and the celebrations that followed established the French winger as a firm fan favourite in the North-East. Saint-Maximin has registered 4 goals and 7 assists in his first season in the Premier League and is expected to contribute more in the upcoming seasons if he continues to stay fit.
3. Miguel Almiron's first goal for Newcastle United
Miguel Almiron finally ended his goal drought and scored his first goal for Newcastle United when the club faced Crystal Palace at St. James' Park. It took 27 games for the Paraguayan play-maker to score his first goal, which gave him the much-needed confidence going forward and helped him to eventually add more goals to his tally.
It was once again a late winner for the Magpies as Andy Carroll headed the ball perfectly in the path of Almiron, who caught the volley beautifully to earn his side a vital three points. Goals started to flow in for the Paraguayan following this game as he continued his scoring form in the league as well as in the FA Cup.
Miguel Almiron is the leading goal scorer for Newcastle United this season with 8 goals across all competitions. Four of those goals came in the FA Cup, making him the second top goal scorer in the cup. Steve Bruce will certainly look to build a team around Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron if the takeover goes through as they seem to have the potential to improve if the other areas of the squad are boosted with new signings.
2. Florian Lejeune's brace in the additional time against Everton
This is arguably the best comeback from Newcastle United in the 2019-20 Premier League season as the Magpies came in from two goals behind to square things up in the dying moments of the game. The most bizarre thing about the game was that both the goals were scored by Florian Lejeune, a central defender who had never scored a goal for Newcastle United previously.
Everton were comfortably leading the game by two goals and were destined to earn all three points until the French defender was brought on in the 70th minute of the game. Lejeune acrobatically converted the first goal in the 90+4th minute of the game as the Everton defenders failed to clear a corner.
The first goal seemed like a consolation until Newcastle United won a free-kick near the halfway line in the last minute of the game. Everton players struggled to clear the ball convincingly and it was Lejeune who once again punished their mistake. Jordan Pickford's hilarious attempt to save went in vain as the referee spotted the ball crossing the line.
1. Matty Longstaff's debut goal against Manchester United
Matty Longstaff, who broke into the first team following the injuries to a couple of senior players, took his chance brilliantly as he scored the all-important winner past David de Gea in goal.
Longstaff's first chance to aim at goal came in the first half when he received a pass from Allan Saint-Maximin and hit a vicious half volley from outside the box which struck the bar and went out of play. His dream moment came in the 72nd minute of the game when Jetro Willems skipped past a few challenges and laid it off for Longstaff, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner.
The England U20 International loved playing against Manchester United as he scored one more against them in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford. However, his future at Newcastle United remains uncertain as his contract expires at the end of this season and he is yet to sign a new contract which has been proposed by the club.
