Joelinton backs Miley after critics target teenager

Joelinton says it was troubling to see Newcastle United team-mate Lewis Miley "get stick" after a landmark moment, but the Brazilian believes genuine supporters are firmly behind the teenager.

Miley chose to limit replies to a post he made on X to mark his 50th first-team game for Newcastle at the weekend. It is understood this was a precaution as he is still young.

The 19-year-old put in an accomplished display in the goalless draw against Bournemouth – his first Premier League start since February – but he still came in for criticism from a small minority of social media users who questioned his first-team credentials.

Miley's course of action on the social media platform was noticed, and fans have since sent messages of support, while captain Bruno Guimaraes hailed his fellow midfielder as a "top player and guy".

Joelinton played alongside academy graduate Miley in Newcastle's 4-1 win against Bradford City on Wednesday night and said the youngster has a "great future in front of him".

"It's always difficult when you see your team-mate get stick," Joelinton said following the Carabao Cup third-round tie. "I have had a difficult time here, too. I know how it is.

"I know the fans are behind the team and a really good young player. He played really well on Sunday. The team has to get better and everyone has to look on the mirror and get better."

Miley praised Newcastle's "amazing" travelling support in his post on Sunday, saying he was "very proud" to have hit the milestone for his boyhood club.

The midfielder broke a number of records during a breakout campaign at Newcastle a couple of years ago, including becoming the youngest player in Champions League history to provide an assist for an English side by doing so at the age of 17 years and 226 days.

Miley went on to suffer back and foot injuries and has faced intense competition for a starting berth while competing with fellow midfielders Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali.

But Miley, tellingly, kept his place in Eddie Howe's starting line-up for the visit of Bradford.

"I thought Lewie was excellent," the Newcastle head coach said. "In part, I think he really helped us in the first half. He played some lovely little deft touches and short passes into midfield using Joe and Bruno as a springboard, really, to control that midfield area.

"He's come back into the team and produced two really good performances back-to-back. I thought he was really good against Bournemouth in maybe a slightly different way to tonight, but he's developing his experience all the time and I'm really pleased with him."