In extremely difficult circumstances, Newcastle United teenager Lewis Miley made his first ever Premier League start on Saturday night.
With Eddie Howe's side crippled with injuries and suspensions, the Newcastle manager decided to turn to the 17-year-old. He took Bruno Guimaraes' place in midfield, with the Brazilian suspended for the game against Bournemouth.
Before the game, we expressed how much we wanted to see Miley come into the side, so there was real joy and excitement when the youngster got the nod to start at the Vitality Stadium.
It turned out to be an awful night for the Magpies, who were beaten 2-0 on the south coast. Howe's side were nowhere near good enough, and looked desperate for the full time whistle to be blown. The squad is so stretched right now, and that could not have been more evident on Saturday.
But while it was a tough night for Newcastle overall, Eddie Howe has admitted that he was happy with what he saw from Miley.
Eddie Howe pleased with Lewis Miley against Bournemouth After the game, Howe spoke to NUFC TV and praised the efforts of Miley.
"I thought Lewy did really well when you consider he's just come back from glandular fever," he said.
"He's not probably at his physical best. But I thought he did really well and handled the situation superbly."
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But, as Howe says, Miley handled the situation very well. He looked composed on his first Premier League start, refusing to be overawed by the magnitude of the situation. This came just days after his Champions League debut, as well.
Miley is incredibly highly rated, and it is easy to see why. He already looks so comfortable at senior level, despite still not being old enough to drink alcohol. When you think of it like that, it is disgusting how talented he already is.
On top of that, the midfielder has only recently recovered from illness, which made his maiden Premier League start all the more challenging.
But he did well given the circumstances, much to the delight of Howe, who is going to have to lean on the teenager more and more in the coming weeks.
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