Newcastle United started the 23-24 Premier League season with a 5-1 win over Aston Villa. Goals from Alexander Isak x2, Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes and Callum Wilson.
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00:00 So what a performance that is from Newcastle on the opening day of the Premier League season.
00:05 They've beaten Aston Villa 5-1 here at St James' Park.
00:08 I think I'm right in saying that not many people would have predicted that scoreline, if any people would have predicted that scoreline pretty much.
00:14 There's been a lot of talk of pre-season about Newcastle and Aston Villa being very evenly matched.
00:20 Well, there was no match today.
00:23 Maybe there was for the opening 45 minutes, it was an even first half.
00:27 But that second half, Newcastle absolutely wiped the floor with Aston Villa.
00:32 Newcastle opened the score and just six minutes in, Sandro Tonali, which we will come on to,
00:37 Aston Villa equalised through Moussa Diaby, obviously a familiar name to Newcastle United fans.
00:42 Newcastle got back in front through Alexandra Isaac.
00:45 And heading into the break, it did feel like Aston Villa could get back into it.
00:50 But Newcastle, once they found the third on the hour mark, Alexandra Isaac, again, they coasted to victory from there.
00:56 Further goals from Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes, both from the substitute bench.
01:01 But before we talk about either of those two, I do want to touch upon Sandro Tonali.
01:06 Wow, what a debut from him.
01:10 Pre-match, I sort of doubted that Tonali would start.
01:14 I thought that Eddie Howard would go with Sean Longstaff because of his energy, his experience in the Premier League.
01:20 Tonali obviously knew a life in the Premier League.
01:23 Tonali proved today that he needs no adaption period to the Premier League.
01:28 He was absolutely outstanding.
01:30 Bossed that midfield to get that goal in six minutes in.
01:34 Great finish, a volleyed finish, finding space in the box.
01:40 Incredible. And his all-round performance to see boss that midfield.
01:46 Really comfortable in possession. Strong, pressed, relentless pressing,
01:52 which was really, really impressive.
01:54 So he is a star in the making.
01:58 Moving on, because I've only got two minutes 20 on this.
02:02 Moving on, Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson coming off the bench.
02:05 It shows that there is depth in this Newcastle United team this season.
02:08 It's a big luxury for Eddie Howard to have two players coming off the bench like that.
02:12 Harvey Barnes, as soon as he went for a wrong goal to add that fifth,
02:15 looked like a player that was certain to score.
02:17 Brilliant opening first day at St James' Park.