Newcastle make their feelings clear to Sandro Tonali and foolish Crystal Palace move backfires; Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali was given a rapturous reception after the Magpies' 4-0 win against Crystal Palace and players, staff and supporters made their feelings clear towards him on Saturday.
Byline: By, Ciaran Kelly
There was no goal or assist. Heck, he was only on the field for 21 minutes, but this was an afternoon that Sandro Tonali will never forget at St James' Park. At his lowest ebb, and facing up to the possibility of a lengthy ban, Newcastle United supporters lifted the Italy international's spirits -long before the final whistle of the Magpies' 4-0 win against Crystal Palace.
There was a 'Forza Tonali' tribute from Wor Flags in the Gallowgate prior to a ball even being kicked; the midfielder was handed a standing ovation when he first ran out to warm-up on the touchline; and the roar that greeted his entrance midway through the second half was one of the loudest of the day. However, the scenes after the game may represent a first in a stadium that has seen so much over the years as Tonali stepped forward and took the acclaim of the crowd on a lap of honour with a difference. Just as Eddie Howe had hoped.
"It sort of came to me just as we were starting our walk that I wanted him to be at the front and to see the love closer up," the Newcastle boss told reporters.
Tonali certainly saw that. Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones initially walked alongside Tonali before the assistants slowed down and watched the midfielder move towards the Gallowgate End alone. Although that was not strictly true; Tonali was far from alone as those supporters who stayed behind applauded the summer signing and sang his name.
No wonder Tonali stopped in his tracks at one point. No wonder Tonali was one of the last off the field as the 23-year-old took it all in before crouching down, touching the turf and blessing himself. There was Kieran Trippier to throw an arm around his team-mate as they approached the tunnel.
It felt like a sign of things to come, a glimpse of the support Tonali will be able to count on, whatever happens next, following an investigation into illegal betting activity, and Howe had no doubt that the ovation had 'massively boosted' the midfielder. You only had to look at the team photograph taken in the dressing room afterwards to realise that. Tonali is very level -rarely showing emotion even behind the scenes -but there the Italian was smiling as he clenched his fists following another big home win for Newcastle.
It is still so early in the season, but as the table gradually starts to take shape, Newcastle are flying in fifth; the black-and-whites are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions; and Howe's team are the...
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