Times are changing at Newcastle. The side who looked genuine relegation candidates against Southampton and struggled badly to score goals or creative much of anything just a few games ago have found their stride, and their natural position, adopting away team tactics to surprising effect against teams who should be rolling them over. The latest scalp of Liverpool was probably the most impressive (putting aside the wildcard circumstances of the League Cup), and Alan Pardew should be invited to enjoy the usual patting of his own back that inevitably greeted the victory. Fair play to the manager, he used a hugely reductive tactic extremely well, frustrating Liverpool and waiting with a rope-a-dope stinger that improbably almost led to two goals. It wasn't beautiful football, but it was victorious football, and each of the players who helped win deserve their credit. But how did they rate?
14. Tim Krul - 7
In truth, it wasn't exactly a difficult day for the stopper. He had very little to do for the majority of the game, claiming the few crosses he could, and pulling off one spectacular save that came from an offside attacker anyway. His kicking still needs work though, as no Premier League 'keeper should be hitting the sidelines under no pressure.
