OPINION
Matt Ritchie has done a wonderful job at left wing-back for Newcastle United in recent weeks, but his first half performance against Everton left a lot to be desired. Aside from anything else, the Scottish international was largely at fault for the Toffees’ opening goal, mindlessly booting a clearance straight into the path of an Everton player that led to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s towering header. That error aside, Newcastle fans picked up on a much more worrying trend that is starting to reoccur. The wing-back never seems to pass to Miguel Almiron, which must have the Toon faithful scratching their heads in disbelief. Whether it’s just a coincidence, or whether it’s something personal is hard to tell, but whatever it is, it must be sorted out. Add to that the fact that he missed a penalty on the half hour mark, driving the ball straight at the fortunate Jordan Pickford, and he must have been hoping that the ground would swallow him up. As far as first half performances go, this was about as bad as it could have possibly get for the Newcastle man, and his dreadful outing was indicative of thoroughly awful display from Rafa Benitez’s Magpies.
This is Futbol have gathered some of the best tweets below:
https://twitter.com/aImironszn/status/1104402157145591808
Ritchie is having a stinker today #NUFC
— Nezy (@Nezy1909) March 9, 2019
Get Matt Ritchie subbed and sold please #nufc
— Charlie (@CharlieMilne1) March 9, 2019
Why does Ritchie never pass to Almiron like! #NUFC
— Sean McMahon (@_SeanMcMahon) March 9, 2019
Ritchie again ignoring Almiron return pass and choosing the wrong option. Becoming a weekly occurrence #NUFC
— Football Barmy (@wideon) March 9, 2019
Wtf was Ritchie doing there man.
— Phyllis Dietrichson (@OfficielKaybaye) March 9, 2019
Is it me or does Ritchie at times purposely not pass to Almiron?
— Eamus Catuli (@ARTG44) March 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/ToonBarmy59/status/1104401372156440576