OPINION
Matt Ritchie doesn’t always get the credit he deserves at Newcastle United. The Scottish international has consistently been one of the finest players in a black and white shirt during Rafa Benitez’s tenure, and yet he has a tendency to go under the radar. Even when he manages to pull out heroics like he did against Bournemouth the other week, it feels as if his positive contributions are quickly forgotten compared to those of his teammates. On Friday night, however, he put in the kind of performance that cannot go unnoticed. The wide man, so successful in his recent conversion from a right winger into a left wing-back, was simply brilliant. His work rate, as always, as top notch, but it was the cross he delivered for Ayoze Perez’s headed opener that really caught the eye. The interplay with Miguel Almiron was tidy enough, but the whip and the accuracy on the delivery was truly top class. Perez did well to nod it home, but it was the quality on the delivery that really invited him to make the connection in the first place. Ritchie might not get the plaudits every week, but if he keeps on playing like he did in the 1-0 win over Leicester, he soon will.
Nothing but Newcastle have gathered some of the best tweets below:
Ashley young goes to bed dreaming about Matt Ritchie, absolute wand
— shayne walton (@shaynewalton_97) April 12, 2019
Matt Ritchie worth his weight in gold #work rate #top notch
— Stevo Elliott (@stevoelliott180) April 12, 2019
If we sell Ritchie it’s an absolute travesty he’s ducking brilliant he might not be the best but I’m his work ethic you can’t beat it 200% every game!!! #NUFC
— Carl McAdam (@Cadamlaaad) April 12, 2019
Matt Ritchie can ping a ball#GOAT
— PG (@paudiegribben) April 12, 2019
@NUFC if I worked my working week as hard as Matt Ritchie I’d start on Monday and finish on Monday!!!
— Ben Wye (@BenWye2) April 12, 2019
Can't afford to lose Ritchie been outstanding #nufc
— David HUDDART (@DavidHUDDART1) April 12, 2019
