Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards has lauded Allan Saint-Maximin as 'unplayable' during Newcastle United's clash against Manchester City this afternoon.

The lowdown: Rollercoaster affair

Despite the raucous atmosphere at St James' Park and the confident run of form heading into the clash, the Magpies made a poor start against the Premier League champions as Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring inside five minutes.

However, goals from Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson turned the game on its head prior to half-time, and Kieran Trippier made it 3-1 in the 54th minute.

A rollercoaster match took its next drastic twist in a five-minute period just after the hour mark as quickfire goals from Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva brought the teams level once more.

The latest: Saint-Maximin 'unplayable'

Speaking at half-time during Sky Sports' live commentary from St James' Park on a dramatic afternoon, Richards was full of praise for the French winger's impact on the first half turnaround.

The former Manchester City defender stated: "Saint-Maximin has been unplayable at times. Everything good for Newcastle has come down their left side."

The verdict: Fully deserved praise

Saint-Maximin might not have been on the scoresheet today, but it's not difficult to see why Richards was so fulsome on his praise of the 25-year-old.

He was Newcastle's highest-rated player as per Sofascore, helping himself to two first-half assists, making four key passes, winning six duels, completing three dribbles and creating two 'big chances' as he proved a nightmare for Kyle Walker to handle on that flank.

The Frenchman has been questioned over his end product at times, but there could be no complaints from the Toon Army with his effect on today's match, and against the reigning champions, of all teams.