Micah Richards says Allan Saint-Maximin's performance against Manchester City is one of the best displays he's seen from a Premier League player outside of the top six.
Saint-Maximin was in scintillating form in the 3-3 draw against the Premier League champions, assisting two of the three goals, and he was also fouled for the free-kick which was scored by Kieran Trippier.
Last year, the Frenchman said Kyle Walker was 'easily' the best defender he'd faced in his career, but he gave the England international a tough afternoon down Newcastle's left-hand side. Richards, who was at the game at St James' Park, was surprised by how much Walker struggled against the winger.
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"They (Newcastle) were dazzling, weren't they?" said Richards on Football Daily. "Saint-Maximin was just outstanding. Kyle Walker, you know how much I love him as a player. He has every attribute; he can defend, go forward, he can head it, can read the play when he needs to - but Saint-Maximin gave him a torrid time.
"We all know that Saint-Maximin, when he gets up to speed, he has a five or 10 yard burst and the pitch opens up. Once he gets into his stride, he can go either way. When you're running back, he's dictating to you where he wants to go. With Kyle Walker normally, when he's up against somebody quick, he just shows them up the line and they try to get round and he uses his pace to get back, but Saint-Maximin was on a different level.
"You'd think that when they went in at half-time, they would have put someone in front of Kyle Walker or got somebody really tight as soon as he took a touch, but it didn't happen. It's one of the best performances I've seen live from a player outside the top six. It was just brilliant to watch.
"I watched him for Nice against Burnley, and he had all these flicks and tricks and he looked like he had talent, but yesterday, his decision-making was amazing. I was surprised that they couldn't contain him, but he had an amazing game."
Richards was also impressed by Trippier's performance. The full-back showed why he's been dubbed the 'Bury Beckham', bending a free-kick into the top corner to put the Magpies 3-1 ahead after 54 minutes.
"He's always been a great lad," said Richards. "I was with him at the Man City academy, and he was unlucky not to break in at Man City. He had a couple of loans, but he always showed that character and belief in his own ability. He went the long way round, but he's had a fantastic England career, he won the league in Spain and he's been there and done it.
"If he can give his experience to a player like Saint-Maximin, who has all the tools, then it's great to have someone like that in the squad. When he had that free-kick, I just knew it was in his range. I just knew that once he put the ball down it was going in. It was typical Trippier. To have someone like that in the camp is brilliant for Newcastle."
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