In less than 10 Premier League games, Malick Thiaw is already collecting a body of work to back up the claim that he is the division’s best centre-back.

Things come at you fast in the fastest league in the world but the plaudits feel thoroughly deserved.

Since a seamless half-time introduction in the thick of a Champions League battle with Barcelona, he has not put a foot wrong in black and white but on Saturday night came his most eye-catching achievement: pocketing the most prolific forward on the planet.

Aura merchant Erling Haaland turned up at St James’ Park averaging an astonishing goal every 50 minutes over his last four matches for club and country. He has been pretty much unplayable all season.

Just a goal away from joining the Premier League’s 100 club, he would have raced to

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