Newcastle United's Joelinton and Joe Willock(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Eddie Howe is getting what he has always wanted at Newcastle United - competition for places.

The midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton are among the best in the Premier League when they are on song.

But they looked tired in last weekend's defeat to Brighton and with Howe placing a greater emphasis on rotation this season - with Newcastle continuing to compete in four separate competitions - the midfield cannot be exempt from that. So it would have pleased the Magpies boss that when Tonali and Joelinton were rested in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Benfica, Lewis Miley and Jacob Ramsey performed admirably in their place.

In Miley's case, Newcastle's teenage protégé has had to be more patient for his opportunities after bursting on to the scene at the end of 2023, but he sent a reminder of his ability to play with a calmness that belies his young age.

Ramsey showed he has the technical and physical capabilities to offer a genuine alternative to Joelinton, too, and his impact since...