Newcastle United player ratings as Anthony Elanga tops the charts after Celtic defeat

Newcastle United faced a challenging match against Celtic on July 19, 2025, which ended in a disappointing defeat for the Magpies. Despite the loss, there were standout performances, particularly from Anthony Elanga, who topped the player ratings. This article will delve into the individual performances of Newcastle’s players, analyzing their contributions and areas for improvement.

Goalkeeper: Nick Pope (Rating: 6/10)

Nick Pope had a mixed performance in goal. While he made several important saves, particularly in the first half, he was unable to prevent Celtic from scoring. His distribution was inconsistent, leading to a few missed opportunities for Newcastle to build from the back. Overall, Pope’s experience shone through, but he will need to be sharper in future matches.

Defenders: Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Fabian Schär, and Dan Burn

• Kieran Trippier (Rating: 7/10)
  Trippier was one of the more reliable defenders on the pitch. His leadership and experience were evident as he organized the backline and contributed to attacking plays. He delivered several dangerous crosses but was unable to find a teammate in the box.
• Sven Botman (Rating: 5/10)
  Botman struggled against Celtic’s dynamic attacking players. He was caught out of position on a few occasions, leading to goal-scoring opportunities for the opposition. While he showed glimpses of his potential, he will need to improve his decision-making in high-pressure situations.
• Fabian Schär (Rating: 6/10)
  Schär had a solid outing, making crucial tackles and interceptions. However, he was also guilty of some lapses in concentration that allowed Celtic to exploit gaps in the defense. His passing was generally good, but he needs to work on maintaining focus throughout the match.
• Dan Burn (Rating: 6/10)
  Burn provided a physical presence in defense and was effective in aerial duels. However, he struggled with Celtic’s pace on the flanks, which led to some dangerous situations. His ability to contribute to the attack was limited, and he will need to find a better balance between defense and offense.

Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães, Sean Longstaff, and Joe Willock

• Bruno Guimarães (Rating: 8/10)
  Guimarães was undoubtedly Newcastle’s standout player, showcasing his skill and vision throughout the match. He was instrumental in linking defense and attack, making key passes that created opportunities. His work rate was commendable, and he was involved in most of Newcastle’s attacking plays.
• Sean Longstaff (Rating: 5/10)
  Longstaff had a quiet game, struggling to make an impact in midfield. He was often outmuscled by Celtic’s midfielders and failed to provide the necessary support to both defense and attack. Longstaff will need to step up his game to secure a regular starting position.
• Joe Willock (Rating: 6/10)
  Willock showed flashes of brilliance, making some good runs and attempting to link up with the forwards. However, his final product was lacking, and he failed to convert any of his chances. He needs to be more decisive in the final third to make a greater impact.

Forwards: Anthony Elanga, Alexander Isak, and Callum Wilson

• Anthony Elanga (Rating: 9/10)
  Elanga was the star of the show, consistently causing problems for Celtic’s defense with his pace and dribbling ability. He was involved in most of Newcastle’s attacking plays and even managed to score a goal, showcasing his finishing skills. His performance earned him the top rating, and he will be crucial for Newcastle moving forward.
• Alexander Isak (Rating: 7/10)
  Isak had a decent game, showing his technical ability and movement off the ball. He linked up well with Elanga and created several chances, but he was unable to find the back of the net. His work rate was commendable, and he will be looking to build on this performance in future matches.
• Callum Wilson (Rating: 5/10)
  Wilson struggled to make an impact against Celtic’s defense. He was often isolated and failed to get into dangerous positions. His lack of involvement in the game was disappointing, and he will need to find his form to help Newcastle in the upcoming fixtures.

Substitutes:

• Jacob Murphy (Rating: 6/10)
  Murphy came on in the second half and provided some energy to the attack. He made a few good runs but was unable to make a significant impact on the game.
• Elliot Anderson (Rating: 5/10)
  Anderson had limited time on the pitch and struggled to get involved in the game. He will need to take his chances when given the opportunity to impress the coaching staff.
• Ryan Fraser (Rating: 6/10)
  Fraser added some pace to the attack after coming on, but he was unable to create any clear-cut chances. His performance was solid, but he will need to be more effective in future matches.

Conclusion

Despite the defeat to Celtic, there were positive takeaways for Newcastle United, particularly from Anthony Elanga, who emerged as a key player. The team will need to address the defensive lapses and improve their midfield cohesion as they prepare for the upcoming season. With a few adjustments and a focus on individual performances, Newcastle can bounce back and aim for a successful campaign ahead.

Player Ratings Summary

Newcastle United’s performance against Celtic on July 19, 2025, highlighted both strengths and weaknesses within the squad. The player ratings reflect individual contributions and areas needing improvement as the team gears up for the new season.

Goalkeeper: Nick Pope (Rating: 6/10)

• Made several important saves, particularly in the first half.
• Inconsistent distribution led to missed opportunities.
• Experience was evident, but sharper focus is needed.

Defenders: Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Fabian Schär, and Dan Burn

• Kieran Trippier (Rating: 7/10)
  • Organized the backline effectively.
  • Delivered dangerous crosses but lacked a finishing touch.
• Sven Botman (Rating: 5/10)
  • Struggled against Celtic’s pace and movement.
  • Needs to improve decision-making under pressure.
• Fabian Schär (Rating: 6/10)
  • Made crucial tackles but had lapses in concentration.
  • Good passing but must maintain focus throughout matches.
• Dan Burn (Rating: 6/10)
  • Provided physicality in defense but struggled with pace.
  • Limited contributions to the attack; needs balance.

Midfielders: Bruno Guimarães, Sean Longstaff, and Joe Willock

• Bruno Guimarães (Rating: 8/10)
  • Standout player, linking defense and attack effectively.
  • High work rate and involvement in attacking plays.
• Sean Longstaff (Rating: 5/10)
  • Quiet performance; struggled against Celtic’s midfield.
  • Needs to enhance his impact to secure a starting role.
• Joe Willock (Rating: 6/10)
  • Showed good movement but lacked final product.
  • Must be more decisive in the attacking third.

Forwards: Anthony Elanga, Alexander Isak, and Callum Wilson

• Anthony Elanga (Rating: 9/10)
  • Consistently troubled Celtic’s defense with pace.
  • Scored a goal and was pivotal in attacking plays.
• Alexander Isak (Rating: 7/10)
  • Displayed technical ability and good movement.
  • Created chances but failed to score.
• Callum Wilson (Rating: 5/10)
  • Isolated and ineffective against Celtic’s defense.
  • Needs to regain form to contribute more significantly.

Substitutes:

• Jacob Murphy (Rating: 6/10)
  • Added energy but lacked significant impact.
• Elliot Anderson (Rating: 5/10)
  • Limited involvement; needs to capitalize on opportunities.
• Ryan Fraser (Rating: 6/10)
  • Brought pace but failed to create clear chances.

Conclusion

The match against Celtic served as a wake-up call for Newcastle United. While Anthony Elanga’s performance was a bright spot, the team must address defensive vulnerabilities and improve midfield dynamics. With adjustments and a focus on individual performances, Newcastle can aim for a stronger showing in the upcoming season.Bookmark messageCopy messageExportScroll to bottom

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