ST JAMES’ PARK — Newcastle United need to throw everything at persuading Lewis Hall to sign another long-term contract this summer. Such is the speed of his progress this season, a commitment until 2029 no longer feels like enough.
Hall is a quiet character off-the-pitch, almost unassuming in the way he carries himself. But put him on the biggest of stages – and they do not come much grander than a direct duel with Lamine Yamal in a Champions League knockout tie – and he is a man transformed.
Barcelona’s prodigous forward may have ended the night celebrating his match-saving penalty with an insouciant shrug in front of the Leazes End but it was the only time Yamal had looked comfortable all night. For most of it he struggled to lay a glove on Hall.
That is seriously impressive stuff. Good enough, surely, to punch his ticket for the World Cup where – if Thomas Tuchel has an ounce of sense – he will start at left-back when England step out against Croatia in Texas in June.
It was that sort of night, when reputations are enhanced and markers laid down. Hall began well against Yamal but it was his in-game IQ that really stood out. When Barcelona briefly wrested back the initiative mid-way through the first half – the point at which Hall and Dan Burn nearly conspired to let the visitors have a sight of goal – he stepped deeper to address the danger.
But mostly he was on the front foot in a way that evoked memories of Ashley Cole’s epic battles with Cristiano Ronaldo. Cole won his spurs because he took the game to the brilliant Portuguese, betting that his pace and technical ability would cause his opponent as many problems as he would face. Hall took a leaf out of that book here.
It sets up both players for a fascinating second leg. Yamal, like Barcelona and a visiting press pack who laughed, chatted and took phone calls through Hall’s pre-match media briefing, seemed to arrive on Tyneside with the air of visiting royalty. You can bet they have a bit more respect for Newcastle next week – which will surely make Hall’s night that bit more difficult.
But Eddie Howe’s side should travel to Spain with belief, even if the late leveller means they are outsiders to progress to the quarter-finals. If Joelinton and the outstanding Jacob Ramsey – who is quietly turning into Newcastle’s king of quick transitions – can replicate their muscular displays there is no reason why the Magpies can’t cause them problems.
Yamal’s late goal means they will have to do it the hard way but that has been the case all season. A sickness bug meant Anthony Gordon, the Champions League’s second top scorer, couldn’t start against Barcelona and once again, the problem was converting chances rather than creating them.
As for Hall, this was the sort of performance that gets scouts purring. There has been much conjecture about the future of Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento but Newcastle’s left-back could have his pick of Europe’s best. “Outstanding” was Howe’s appraisal and his performances in the Champions League have shown he belongs on that stage.
Newcastle know that and a new deal is understood to be in their thoughts. It really should be a priority.
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