During Newcastle United’s Premier League showdown with Manchester City, Kieran Trippier found himself at the center of a curious fashion statement on the pitch. The experienced 34-year-old full-back, who recently hung up his boots on the international stage after a decorated career with England, was named in Eddie Howe’s starting XI for the much-anticipated Saturday afternoon clash at St James’ Park. While all eyes were on Newcastle’s efforts to keep pace with the reigning Premier League champions, Trippier inadvertently became the topic of conversation for a completely different reason—his choice of footwear.
At kickoff, everything seemed business as usual for Trippier, who stepped onto the field sporting a bright orange pair of Adidas X Speedflow boots, continuing the long-standing partnership he had with the German sportswear giant. However, just 15 minutes into the game, after a hard block from Manchester City winger Jack Grealish on one of Trippier’s shots, the full-back began to fidget with his right boot, seemingly signaling an issue. Moments later, with the ball out of play, Trippier darted to the touchline, where most players might have opted for a quick change of both boots. But in a surprising and unconventional twist, Trippier only replaced his right boot—trading in the Adidas for a purple Puma Ultra—while keeping his left boot as it was.
This bizarre combination of Adidas on one foot and Puma on the other quickly caught the attention of commentators and fans alike. TNT Sports’ Darren Fletcher, calling the game, couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight, remarking, “He’s going for the odd boot look. Perhaps a new trend in the Premier League?” The switch-up immediately sparked a buzz on social media, with many fans confused and amused by the unusual sight.
One fan tweeted, “Ermmm, why is Kieran Trippier wearing different boots on each foot? Puma on the right, Adidas on the left. He doesn’t do this regularly, does he?” Another chimed in with a lighthearted observation, writing, “Kieran Trippier is taking the two different boot trend to a new level.” A third fan seemed to appreciate Trippier’s boldness, stating, “You have to respect it, really—Trippier going for one Adidas boot and one Puma boot.” Another comment added a nostalgic touch: “Trippier wearing odd boots? Close enough. Welcome back to the 2014 World Cup.” One particularly baffled fan summed up the sentiment, tweeting, “Never in my life have I seen a player wear one Adidas boot and one Puma boot. Trippier, are you okay, mate?”
For those in the know, Trippier’s odd footwear choice wasn’t entirely out of the blue. After over a decade of loyalty to Adidas, reports from *Footy Headlines* had recently suggested that the England international had parted ways with the brand. In recent weeks, Trippier had been spotted wearing Puma boots in training sessions, indicating that a shift was on the horizon. However, few could have predicted that this transition would manifest itself on the pitch in such an eye-catching way, with Trippier sporting both brands during a live Premier League fixture. It’s unclear whether this odd combination was intentional or merely the result of an equipment malfunction, but it certainly made for an amusing spectacle. By the time the second half began, Trippier had switched back to his usual two Adidas boots, leaving his brief flirtation with Puma behind.
As the match wore on, the focus gradually shifted back to the game itself, where Manchester City took the lead in the 35th minute through a well-taken goal by Josko Gvardiol. The Croatian defender has been in scintillating form in 2024, contributing to more goals than any other defender in the Premier League with a total of six goal involvements (goals and assists combined). City looked in control heading into halftime, with Newcastle struggling to break down the defending champions’ well-organized defense.
However, Eddie Howe’s side came out firing in the second half, determined to find an equalizer. Their breakthrough came courtesy of Anthony Gordon, Newcastle’s electrifying winger, who was brought down in the box by Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson. The referee wasted no time pointing to the spot, and Gordon calmly stepped up to convert the penalty, sending Ederson the wrong way and leveling the score at 1-1. It was a crucial moment for the Magpies, who had been on the back foot for much of the game but showed resilience in clawing their way back into contention.
The rest of the match saw both sides push for a winner, with City controlling possession and creating chances, while Newcastle remained resolute in defense. Despite some close calls, neither team could find the decisive goal, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. While Manchester City will have been disappointed not to take all three points, Newcastle’s spirited second-half performance, spearheaded by Gordon’s equalizer, was a testament to their growing strength under Eddie Howe.
As the final whistle blew, it was clear that Kieran Trippier’s mismatched boots had provided some unexpected entertainment, but Newcastle’s resilience and their ability to go toe-to-toe with the champions ultimately took center stage. Trippier’s quirky footwear may have started as the headline of the afternoon, but it was Anthony Gordon’s coolness under pressure and Newcastle’s fighting spirit that truly defined the game. Nonetheless, fans won’t soon forget the day when a Premier League star walked onto the field with one foot in Adidas and the other in Puma.