The savage Kieran Trippier moment cameras missed after classy Lewis Miley gesture in Newcastle United win
Newcastle United 3-0 PSV Eindhoven: Lewis Miley had another moment to remember in the Champions League at St James’ Park.
Lewis Miley didn’t start Newcastle United’s 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, but he ended the game as captain of his boyhood club.
The 19-year-old midfielder started on the bench and replaced the injured Bruno Guimaraes at the end of the first half.
The Newcastle captain handed his armband to vice-captain Kieran Trippier, who wore it for the majority of the second half before his late withdrawal.
When Trippier was replaced by Joe Willock in the 86th minute, he handed the armband to Miley as the teenager played the final moments of the match as captain. It prompted the Newcastle supporters at St James’ Park to cheer and chant Miley’s name in what was yet another memorable moment for the youngster in black and white.
At 19, Miley has already surpassed 50 Premier League appearances for the club while also setting records as Newcastle’s youngest ever Premier League and Champions League player and goalscorer.
Newcastle United’s latest captain
And head coach Eddie Howe believes it could be the first of many times the versatile midfielder dons the captain’s armband for Newcastle.
“Yes, very much so, I think he is potentially a future captain of the football club,” Howe said. “Which for someone so young is a big statement to make really, but I think it was a spontaneous moment from Kieran to give him the armband.
“I wanted to protect Kieran, try and give him the best chance to stay fit, so I thought it was the right time to withdraw him and give him the captaincy to leave.
“It was actually quite a poignant moment and a nice one for Louis and his family. I thought he was excellent again when he came on today.”
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Lewis Miley is proving himself a key player at NUFC
As wholesome as Trippier’s gesture to Miley was, it represented the teenager’s elevated role in the squad this season rather than just a token gesture.
Miley has proven himself a key player in Howe’s side, given his quality on the ball, goal threat and versatility.
Amid a defensive injury crisis, the 19-year-old has shown great proficiency in slotting in at right-back and even centre-back when required. He also has three goals to his name this season across the Premier League, Carabao Cup and Champions League.
But after missing out on the starting line-up in each of Newcastle’s last two matches, he will be looking to return to the side against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday (2pm kick-off).
The Kieran Trippier gesture cameras missed v PSV
While the TNT Sport cameras certainly captured Trippier’s classy gesture towards Miley during the match, they missed the full-back’s not-so-classy gesture that took place near the tunnel after the game.
Yoane Wissa grabbed a goal and an assist for Anthony Gordon on his first ever Champions League start and was named player of the match by UEFA.
Just as he left the field after the game, Wissa was handed the player of the match award.
The likes of Anthony Gordon congratulated Wissa for his performance, while Trippier had other ideas.
As Wissa held his award aloft, Trippier instinctively swooped it out of his hands with ruthless efficiency and made his way down the tunnel.