A few Newcastle United fans have been lauding Matt Ritchie’s crossing, after the Scot produced an influential display in the FA Cup Third Round Replay win over Rochdale on Tuesday night.
Head coach Steve Bruce awarded Ritchie his first start since August in the midweek clash at St. James’ Park, having been able to offer the 30-year-old his comeback from an ankle injury during the initial tie at Spotland earlier in the month.
Ritchie had been sidelined since the Carabao Cup Second Round defeat at home to Leicester City on August 28, after a ‘horror challenge’ from Hamza Choudhury left the former Scotland international’s ankle in a mess and later requiring surgery.
Bruce would have been delighted by what he saw from Ritchie on Tuesday night as the Toon cruised to a 4-1 win over Rochdale to book a Fourth Round date with Oxford United, with the £10.8million-rated wing-back producing two assists in an energetic Man of the Match display.
For some of the St. James’ Park faithful, it was Ritchie’s crossing that stood out the most from his game, having delivered a searching ball into the box in the 17th-minute which Eoghan O’Connell would turn into his own net.
Who starts at left-back vs Chelsea?
Ritchie
Willems
Ritchie had his second assist minutes later, when another teasing cross into the box found Matty Longstaff in space before the young midfielder would calmly strike home past Robert Sanchez.
He could even have had another assist to his name in the 39th-minute, but his curling delivery was cleared around the six-yard area.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans lauded Ritchie’s crossing vs Rochdale in the FA Cup…
Matt Ritchie being back is massive for us with his delivery #nufc
— aDaM T (@Tiley11) January 14, 2020
Can’t help but feel like the delivery Ritchie provides is what Joelinton has been begging for. Let’s see… #NUFC
— Toon Talk (@ToonTalk6) January 14, 2020
Matt Ritchie’s delivery really is sublime.
I know we miss him just being a general basket case when he’s out, but we miss his delivery too. #nufc
— Iain (@IainBaj) January 14, 2020
Reckon with Ritchie crossing, our forwards will get more goals. Maybe for Chelsea Ritchie and jetro start on both flanks?
— Anythingnewcastle (@AnythingNUFC) January 14, 2020
It’s great to have Ritchie back fir his delivery #NUFC
— Asa Bartlett ⚫⚪⚫⚪ (@asabart14) January 14, 2020
Nice to see Matt Ritchie putting the ball into the box with a bit of whip
Lovely finish from @mattylobby48Fingers crossed for a couple of new faces to up the size of the squad
— Stuart Knox (@knoxy152) January 14, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club are keen to sign a €10m forward currently being courted by a European giant.