If there are any Manchester City fans living up in the North East, the chances are they will have been reading about Jack Grealish in their local papers on Thursday morning, rather than Newcastle's latest win over Everton.
That is because the matchwinner in that game was Miguel Almiron, the player Grealish referenced in a now-infamous Instagram video from City's title celebrations earlier in the summer.
It's probably just as well that Jack Grealish didn't play in City's draw at Newcastle earlier this season, as he would have been subject to even more pantomine boos than he usually gets from opposition fans. The Newcastle fans in the Gallowgate end had a huge banner prepared to support Almiron on that day, and they were delighted when the Paraguayan forward scored in an enthralling 3-3 draw at St James.
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Why - because the day after City won their fourth Premier League title in five years, and Grealish's first as a player, the squad took to open top buses around Manchester city centre, and headed to a platform at the end of Deansgate to celebate their new trophy with their fans.
In the middle of the celebrations, a video shows Grealish joking around with Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez, saying that City should have substituted Mahrez the day before vs Aston Villa because: "He played like Almiron.”
Unsurprisingly, the comment didn't go down too well in Newcastle, particularly with their fans who love Almiron despite his slow start to life in the Premier League. This season, the 28-year-old has five goals in 11 games - more than both Grealish and Mahrez - and he scored a brilliant winner in Newcastle's win over Everton this week.
With Almiron the headline-maker, and Grealish referenced in many post-match comment pieces, it was put to Magpies boss Eddie Howe that the forward has used Grealish's comment as motivation, but Howe firmly disagreed.
“I don’t think Miggy is motivated by anything other than trying to be his best for Newcastle and for the supporters, who absolutely love him and rightly so," Howe said.
“For me, he's given me everything from day one, very committed to the team. He's a real team player and he's getting the recognition that he deserves. “You can't under-estimate the quality of the goals that he's delivered for us. The one against Fulham was an incredible strike, and then this one too.
“I don't know if he's doing anything differently. I think he's playing with confidence. He's always been incredible out of possession – many times I've played against Newcastle, the work-rate that he gives the team can't be questioned."
Almiron hasn't publicly addressed the comments, although he did hand his shirt to a supporter with a sign saying: 'Miggy, can Grealish have your shirt?' after the City draw. Howe said at the time: "I haven’t broached it with Miggy, I don’t think it’s something we really need to discuss. I see a very happy person who is in a really good place. I don’t see someone who needs extra motivation.”
Despite Newcastle playing down the comment, it seems that Newcastle fans may find it harder to forget, and Grealish may get some more notifications whenever Almiron scores.
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