---
title: "Newcastle: Micah Richards lauds ‘unplayable’ Allan Saint-Maximin"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/saint-maximin-newcastle-man-city-unplayable-micah-richards/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Clubbe"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2022-08-21T17:30:22Z"
modified: "2022-08-21T17:30:22Z"
---

# Newcastle: Micah Richards lauds ‘unplayable’ Allan Saint-Maximin

**Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards has lauded Allan Saint-Maximin as ‘unplayable’ during [Newcastle United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/)‘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](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) 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](https://www.skysports.com/football/newcastle-united-vs-manchester-city/live/464662) 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](https://www.skysports.com/football/newcastle-united-vs-manchester-city/live/464662#:~:text=%22Saint%2DMaximin%20has,their%20left%20side.%22): “Saint-Maximin has been unplayable at times. Everything good for Newcastle has come down their left side.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”389224″\]

### 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](https://www.sofascore.com/newcastle-united-manchester-city/rO), 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](https://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwil77DPuNj5AhUEiVwKHVbMCtMQFnoECAcQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.footballinsider247.com%2Fsources-newcastle-united-green-light-allan-saint-maximin-sale-amid-40m-reveal%2F&usg=AOvVaw3CN43YJAWcWV133hhBe1D_) 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.