Perfect timing as PlayerWatch focus falls on Chicharito

Chicharito comes under our Player Watch examination today and it couldn’t have been better timed as he grabbed the opening two goals. Here CandH’s DANNY LEACH reports his every kick!

11 – GOAL – 0-1 – Snodgrass cuts in on the right hand side and curls in a dangerous cross into box which Chicharito lets bounce across him before finishing on the half volley to Dubravka’s side

22 – Plays a nice through ball to Arnautovic on the right wing but the return pass is not strong enough to Chicharito

35 – Holds the ball very well from a long ball, shielding off the Newcastle defenders for a prolonged period before playing the ball back to Balbuena

57 – Arnautovic slides the ball across to him in the box but he cannot reach it for what would have been a certain goal

57 – Anderson plays a great disguised through ball into him in the box but the shot with his left foot hits the side netting

59 – Miscommunication with Arnautovic results in his through ball to Chicharito not reaching him as he makes an alternative run towards goal

62 – GOAL – 0-2 – Arnautovic flicks a ball into the path of Chicharito outside the area who runs through on goal before tucking the ball into the near post 

74 – Plays a great one two with Anderson in the middle of the park before distributing the ball out to Noble on the left to set us on the counter attack

Verdict – 8.5 – He has had to be patient and wait a long time to start in Pellegrini’s XI but he took his chances brilliantly today. It was a fine performance from the Mexican and delivered everything that we expect from him; good hold up play, great interchanges with the midfielders and the all-important two goals today which he took brilliantly. However he could have easily taken the ball home with him after missing two great chances but nevertheless he has now staked a great claim in the starting XI as he paired up very well with Arnautovic.