Sandro Tonali looks BETTER than before - Pirlo meets Gattuso, writes CRAIG HOPE as Newcastle beat... (original) (raw)

One year on from a Newcastle debut in which he played like a gladiator, Sandro Tonali picked up his sword and shield. His weaponry had been lowered, however, by the time his team picked up the fight and survived a penalty shootout to make the next round of the Carabao Cup.

Eddie Howe thought he had made what would be the signing of the season when, on the opening day versus Aston Villa 12 months ago, the £52million midfielder scored after six minutes and played with machoism and majesty in a 5-1 win. Come October, a 10-month ban for illegal gambling had all but ruined the season.

On the evidence of his comeback here, Tonali looks better than before, just as insiders had said he would be.

He speaks English now, but the Italian swagger remains the same. Come the end, he was serenaded by Newcastle’s supporters and was thrown an Italian flag as he hugged fans in the front row.

Howe said: ‘He was involved in some lovely little passages of play and looked good fitness wise. He’s back doing what he loves. He can be really pleased with the reception he got at the end. There was a lot of emotion coming out there, from Sandro and the supporters. He’s got a massive part to play for us.’

Sandro Tonali returned with a bang as Newcastle beat Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup

Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi blasted his penalty over the bar as the Toon won on spot-kicks

Awoniyi placed his head inside his shirt with his miss allowing Sean Longstaff to seal the win

With his first touch, on 13 seconds, he slipped a cute pass between bodies for Miguel Almiron to gather. Five seconds later and Newcastle were in front.

MATCH FACTS

Nottingham Forest: Miguel, Boly, Omobamidele, Abbott (Milenkovic, 60), Moreira (Williams, 68), Anderson (Elanga, 79), Dominguez, Moreno, Silva (Sangare, 61), Awoniyi, Sosa (Hudson-Odoi, 69)

Subs not used: Turner, Wood, Toffolo, Marshall Perry

Goals: Silva 50

Booked: Silva, Abbott, Moreno, Dominguez, Sangare

Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo

Newcastle: Pope, Trippier (Livramento, 62), Krafth, Burn, Hall, Tonali (Longstaff, 62), Joelinton, Willock (Guimaraes, 15), Almiron (Gordon, 61), Isak, Barnes

Subs not used: Targett, Osula, Murphy, Kelly, Ruddy

Goals: Willock 1

Booked: Guimaraes, Hall

Manager: Eddie Howe

Almiron played in Alexander Isak and, when his shot was palmed into the goalmouth by Carlos Miguel, Joe Willock followed up to turn in. It could well have been Tonali, given he had gone from gladiator to lion and roared into the penalty area from halfway.

We were told he has been running harder and faster than anyone at the club’s training ground in recent weeks. He carried that charge into battle here and, in the third minute, his legs took him storming in behind Forest’s backline. Isak found Tonali’s run but, with Miguel out on him in a flash, his low stab was blocked.

While the rest were working on pedal power, it was as if Tonali had batteries in his boots. They needed a charge on the half hour when, seemingly exhausted - and understandably so - he plonked himself on the turf and welcomed the arrival of the physios, taking the chance for a 60-second breather.

He was soon up and running, quite literally. Not just that, his passing was a different level, too. Invariably first time, breaking the lines when possible and always accurate, he had given a first-half masterclass.

The same could not be said for all of Tonali’s team-mates, and despite the early lead they were fortunate to get to the break still in front. Scorer Willock had also been forced off on his first start since April, and Forest finished the half the stronger of the sides.

It was, then, no surprise when they were level five minutes after the restart. Alex Moreno loaded a long throw into the penalty area, two Newcastle jerseys jumped in attempting to clear but merely served Jota Silva with the invitation to smash home from 12 yards.

Tonali’s solo show could only mask a collective failing for so long and, when the gladiator retired just after the hour, it needed some other warriors to emerge.

Nick Pope was mobbed by his team-mates as Eddie Howe's side reached the third round

Joe Willock opened the scorer after just 18 seconds after arriving to touch home a rebound

Willock applied the finishing touch after Carlos Miguel pushed out Alexander Isak's low effort

Jota Silva netted the equaliser in the second-half with a powerful strike inside the penalty area

Silva latched onto the ball and crashed beyond Nick Pope courtesy of a deflection off the post

Tonali impressed on his much-anticipated return and the midfielder deserved victory

As Forest tired, Harvey Barnes went closer than anyone to re-establishing the visiting lead. One low blast was diverted wide by a sliding Moreno inside the six-yard area and another drive shaved the post.

And so to penalties, where Ibrahim Sangare cracked the crossbar for the hosts and Taiwo Awoniyi smashed over. That left Sean Longstaff to win it for Newcastle. Victory was what Tonali had deserved, at least.