Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer believes that England manager Gareth Southgate must start attending more games at St. James' Park instead of picking players who 'aren't performing'.
The Magpies ran out 2-0 victors over rivals Manchester United yesterday afternoon thanks to two headed goals from Joe Willock and Callum Wilson in the second half.
But pundit and former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy actually thought that a lot of the credit should go to manager Eddie Howe after he outsmarted Man United boss Erik ten Hag.
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"Their intensity was brilliant, their quality was there, it was a great all-round team performance," Murphy said on BBC's Match of the Day 2 last night.
"Eddie Howe got the better of Ten Hag today tactically, and I think Ten Hag has to take some responsibility instead of blaming his player but he set up the team with two attacking midfielder as holding midfielders.
"He had [Marcel] Sabitzer and Bruno Fernandes trying to contain [Joe] Willock and [Sean] Longstaff, and he had Scott McTominay trying to stop Bruno [Guimaraes] and they just got completely overrun in the middle of the pitch.
"Here's the first example, Longstaff, we know what he does with that phenomenal athleticism, he's got that great desire and bravery to get into the box, Bruno [Fernandes] sees him and lets him go and there were, I believe I saw, 11 times where they ran into the box off the back of the midfielders.
"The position of Fernandes and Sabitzer here, they don't play this position very often which means they don't spot the danger and they can't communicate properly. Isak drops in and runs past the both of them, Willock should score there."
Shearer then highlighted how well Newcastle managed to supress Man United not just in their own half but in their own box when attempting goal-kicks.
"Manchester United know how good Newcastle United are on the press and they sort of did it in the cup final, because they kicked it long from the start.
"But now that plays into Newcastle's hands because when that happens, they've got the guys that can win that. Their pressing is superb and they'll win those balls all day.
"So they try to play it short from the goal kick but the press is too good. [Raphael] Varane is telling [Diogo] Dalot to try and get back but no, they don't have the guile or the craft, no one was prepared to put their foot on the ball under pressure.
"OK, well that didn't work so they decide to go long this time. That's fine as well, because Newcastle will win it as it goes out for a throw-in. Every time Newcastle just kept coming back and they absolutely battered them.
"The work rate from Isak here to get the throw-inn off Rashford and you see the reaction of the crowd. 15 seconds later from that throw-in, Newcastle get their first goal.
"They're a bit of a soft touch as well are Man United, they've conceded too many goals away from home this season, 29 goals away from home which is only better than Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest, Leicester and Leeds."
The former Newcastle frontman then pointed out the tough road ahead for the Magpies and that despite them clawing their way back into third, they must keep pressing on.
"It would've been easy for the team to sit back, say they've suffered but that they've done enough. But no, Eddie Howe has got them ignited again.
"They've got three tough away games over the next few weeks and if they can get results from those, they'll have a great opportunity to get into that top four.
"What I'd also say is, Gareth Southgate needs to get into St. James' Park more often. Instead of picking players who are not playing or not performing, have a look at some of the England ones in the Newcastle team."
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